Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, upon notice, on 29 June 2011:

In regard to the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) Incentives in boom towns, and given that in reports during the 2009-10 Budget estimates hearings of the Community Affairs Legislation Committee that the number of incentives allocated in the areas of Karratha, Port Hedland, South Hedland, Broome and Newman were 24 incentives approved in Broome in Round 1, and none for Karratha, Port Hedland, South Hedland or Newman:

(1)   Can an update on NRAS applications and incentives offered to date be provided for the areas of:

  (a)   Karratha;

  (b)   Port Hedland;

  (c)   South Hedland;

  (d)   Broome;

  (e)   Newman;

  (f)   the Pilbara Region; and

  (g)   the Kimberley Region.

(2)   What is the department doing to improve the delivery of NRAS in mining regions across Australia where rent is extremely expensive.

(3)   In addition to the 6-star Building Code of Australia (BCA) guidelines, are any kind of tropical design guidelines being used in any parts of Western Australia, Northern Territory or Queensland; if not, why not.

(4)   Has the department advocated at all for the adoption of a tropical or regionally specific BCA that better suits the extreme weather conditions in the north west of Western Australia, Northern Territory and Queensland; if not, will it undertake to do so as a matter of urgency.

Stephen Conroy (Victoria, Australian Labor Party, Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

As at 20 June 2011 there are no approved dwellings in areas a) to g).

The 24 dwellings planned for Broome have transferred to Perth after a change request received from the approved participant and supported by the department and the Western Australian Government.

The following areas have been identified as being included in applications for Round Four of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS):

  (a)   Karratha – application/s for 600 dwellings;

  (c)   South Hedland – application/s for 400 dwellings;

  (d)   Broome – application/s for 542 dwellings;

  (e)   Newman – application/s for 146 dwellings;

  (f)   the Pilbara region– application/s for 340 dwellings.

Currently no offers have been made in relation to the above locations. Final processing of Round Four applications will be completed as soon as possible, subject to state and territory agreement.

The National Rental Affordability Scheme has the flexibility to stimulate the supply of affordable rental dwellings in regions that are experiencing very high rental costs, such as mining regions.

To improve the financial viability of NRAS dwellings in these regions, a range of different dwelling types are supported by the Scheme. These include studio apartments, townhouses, traditional houses and dual key dwelling, provided they are suitable for independent living, which includes tenants having access to their own bathroom and kitchen facilities.

All National Rental Affordability Scheme dwellings are required to comply with Building Code of Australia standards. Approved participants must ensure that each dwelling complies at all times with the landlord, tenancy, building and health and safety laws of the state or territory and local government area in which the dwelling is located.

The application criteria also gives consideration for proposals that maximise affordable housing outcomes for tenants, including building and design features that reduce the overall costs to tenants. This includes building and design features, energy and water saving measures and special window or floor treatments to reduce heat/cold loss. The energy rating of the dwelling and the extent to which the dwelling incorporates efficient lighting, environmentally friendly hot water systems, ventilation and water tanks are assessed for each proposal.

The Building Code of Australia (BCA) is produced and maintained by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) on behalf of the Australian Government and the state and territory governments. The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has policy responsibility for improving the efficiency of new buildings and major renovations in relation to the BCA.