Carpentaria Disability Services have benefited from the $69 million stimulus program through the completion of refurbishments to 14 of their properties in the Greater Darwin region.

The stimulus program includes $2 million for minor upgrades to houses leased to the non-government (NGO) sector, through the Industry Housing Assistance Scheme.

Carpentaria’s Chief Operations Officer Justin Heath says that these works have made all participants “very happy”.

“The upgrades to the houses adds so much to the lives of participants by providing an improved living environment and Carpentaria thanks the Northern Territory Government for completing these works.

“The replacement of kitchen and bathroom cupboards, painting, door replacements and fan upgrades were amongst the extensive works carried out,” he said.

Upgrades also included:

• electrical work

• upgraded fly screens; and

• fence repairs.

One Carpentaria participant who is happy with her new doors and painted home is Joanne.

“I’m happy with the painting, it’s good,” she said.

With new energy in the home, Joanne has started to plant herbs and flowers in her garden.

Mr Heath said all the affected Carpentaria participants have had the same reaction to their upgraded homes.

“Everyone has been very grateful walking into their new homes after the work was carried out,” he said.

Organising participants to leave their homes for refurbishments is not an easy task, and Mr Heath praised the work of the department and contractors.

“The contractors and department were very flexible in meeting our needs during the big shuffle that we needed to do – we are very grateful,” he said.

Industry Housing Assistance Scheme works have been completed in Nhulunbuy, Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek and Alice Springs.

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Caption: Senior Project Officer Hadi Kafkas is pictured with Carpentaria participant Joanne, who says she is happy with the upgrades to her home.

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E: media.dhcd@nt.gov.au