CAIRNS-BASED company Gateway Constructions has been awarded a $4.44 million contract to build 12 new houses at Aurukun.

Housing and Public Works Minister Dr Bruce Flegg said the funding came through the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing Program.

"These new houses will be a significant boost to the social housing stock in the Aurukun area," he said.

"The Newman Government is committed to improving the lives of indigenous Australians and programs like this are making that happen.

"Gateway Constructions will build seven new four-bedroom houses, two new three-bedroom houses and three new two-bedroom houses.

"The new houses will be built on Kleidon Drive, Klein Drive, Apatech St, Muttich St and on the corner of Well St and Kang Kang St."

Dr Flegg said Gateway Constructions would be delivering a modern, durable, modular housing solution that provides good value for money.

"Gateway Constructions' approach offers flexibility to deliver options most suitable for the Aurukun area," he said.

"Construction will begin soon and the properties are scheduled for practical completion by the end of June 2013."

Jim Margach of Gateway said he hoped to start work next week for completion by the end of May next year.

He said the plan was to build three houses on site using about six Aurukun indigenous workers and then decide with the council whether to provide flat-pack homes from his Cairns factory, panel-built homes from the factory or continue to build fully on site.

Mr Margach said there would be five carpenters from Cairns working on the houses with the Aurukun workers.

He said his company had done a lot of housing and commercial work in the Torres Strait and housing for government workers at Aurukun, Lockhart River and Bamaga.

"We have a lot of experience up there but this is the first time for indigenous housing for us. It's a step forward," Mr Margach said.

He said the contract was about "average" for his company.

 

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