Member for Geraldton Ian Blayney is unimpressed with the reply he received from the Minister for Housing in response to questions he put to the Government in Parliament last week regarding vacant public housing in Spalding.
“It is critical that houses in Spalding are not left uninhabitable because such carelessness will be detrimental to the success of the Spalding redevelopment,” Mr Blayney said.
“The Government need to ensure all vacant public housing is adequately maintained and immediately available to individuals who are in need.
“However, when I questioned the Minister on these matters in Parliament he implied that the Government are waiting for the housing market to pick up before they intend to address such issues.
Minister Tinley stated the Government are eagerly awaiting the market conditions to “come good” before they can “start moving” which suggests they aren’t intending to fix up the unavailable properties anytime soon according to the local Member.
“Not only is the term ‘improved conditions’ very subjective but it could also be years before market conditions are deemed improved,” Mr Blayney said.
“It is unacceptable that the Government continue to neglect the Geraldton community.
“Instead of waiting for the housing market to pick up, the Government need to start contributing funds towards the Spalding redevelopment and fix up damaged public housing immediately, and start to show that they care for the residents of Geraldton.”
