Tony Zappia (Makin, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

Last Sunday, along with Olivia Savvas, the state member for the seat of Newland, and Tea Tree Gully mayor Marijka Ryan, I attended a dedication service at the Tea Tree Gully St John's Lutheran Church for three newly constructed social houses in Ridgehaven. The service was led by Pastor Rolly Stahl, who delivered an excellent and very appropriate sermon for the occasion.

The housing project was initiated by members of the Tea Tree Gully St John's Lutheran Church a decade ago, but a series of obstacles and then COVID delayed the commencement of construction until 2023. The three well-designed and constructed houses will become home to six people with a disability. I understand that four of those people—Nathan, James, Andrew and Bradley—have already moved into their new home.

The project was made possible because of the determination and collective efforts of several people and organisations and in particular the support from the Lutheran Disability Services. My congratulations and compliments to the Tea Tree Gully St John's church community for its social conscience in delivering this project which responds to both the needs of people with a disability and the social housing shortage that currently exists. The housing project is a terrific example of what can be achieved when good people come together and show initiative in meeting a desperate social need.