Gladstone LNG Proponents, GAH Earn National Award, Australia

An innovative partnership between Gladstone’s three LNG proponents – Australia Pacific LNG, Santos GLNG and QGC – and Gladstone Affordable Housing (GAH) to deliver high quality, affordable housing for the region has received national recognition.

The collaboration between the local LNG industry and not-for-profit company GAH earned the Business Partner of the Year Award at the PowerHousing Australian Annual Awards dinner in Melbourne. The prestigious award acknowledges corporate organisations working in partnership with the community housing sector to develop projects that contribute to an increase in affordable housing.

While the LNG companies themselves were recognised, so too were their Gladstone representatives who are helping drive the joint initiative including APLNG Community Relations Manager Rob Gibb, Santos GLNG Gladstone Regional External Affairs Manager Garry Scanlan and QGC’s Integrated Housing Advisor Ryan O’Hanlon.

GAH spokesperson Rebecca Oelkers, who nominated the partnership for this year’s awards, said she was delighted at the win, which recognised the efforts of GAH and its LNG partners in forming an Australian first in affordable housing funding.

“Due to the innovative partnership between the LNG companies, a pool of $19.8 million will provide much needed high quality affordable housing stock in the Gladstone region and foster the creation of a financially and socially sustainable affordable housing company to provide long-term service to the community,” Ms Oelkers said.

“What’s more, this initiative has developed a model that may be replicable in other communities throughout Australia”

Ms Oelkers added the joint funding agreement by the LNG proponents had ensured that the maximum numbers of well-designed affordable housing outcomes could be achieved from their contribution.

“Originally, 35 affordable housing dwellings were to be delivered by the LNG proponents. However, this jointly funded initiative – which has now received national recognition – will seed a more extensive development program which will provide a range of housing options.”

Ms Oelkers explained that a significant number of properties in each development would be retained for affordable rental to moderate income families and singles, with the balance of units and townhouses to be offered for sale. Sales proceeds and profits from each venture will be invested back into the provision of additional quality, affordable housing for the region.

She said it was anticipated the complexes may accommodate those who work in the retail, emergency services, health care and education sectors, and those who can no longer rent or buy in Gladstone without spending a substantial percentage of their incomes on housing costs.

“These middle income groups, such as child care workers, retail employees, hospitality staff, health care workers, represent some of the key workers in Gladstone and are vital to the make-up of any community.

“While GAH will not solve all of the issues of accommodation costs and availability in Gladstone, it provides a much needed new entity to help alleviate some of the current pressures in the market for quality, moderately priced accommodation,” she said.

Pending finalisation of Development Applications and building tender processes, it is anticipated that construction of GAH’s first affordable housing developments can begin later this year.

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LNG World News Staff, May 10, 2013; Image: Santos