June 4 2010
On Friday 14 May, Federal Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs Jenny Macklin handed over the first Territory Alliance house in Alice to the tenant, Pamela Lynch.
Territory Alliance, a partnership between Laing O'Rourke, Sitzler and McMahon, has been engaged by the Australian and Northern Territory Governments to deliver the Strategic Indigenous Housing Infrastructure Program (SIHIP) across the Northern Territory.
At the Larapinta Valley event Ms Lynch and her grandchildren were able to walk through the house with Minister Macklin and Member for Stuart, Karl Hampton.
They took the time to inspect every room, and the yard works.
In an emotional moment, Minister Macklin also presented Ms Lynch with a native Alkart plant that is a part of Ms Lynch's dreaming.
"I want to plant some more trees from Laramba to remind me of the Laramba old ladies. The Alkart has great significance to me because it is the dreaming tree," said Ms Lynch.
"This is a new and exciting adventure for me and my grandchildren to move into a new home. It has been a long time coming.
“The whole family is excited especially the grandchildren. They have been walking around the fence trying to have a look while it was being built.
“I really like the windows throughout the house because it is a new style to all the other houses and the security is really good and safe," she said.
After the handover of the house, groups of people were able to walk through and inspect the family’s new home.
The completion of the first house challenged Territory Alliance staff and subcontractors working on the project.
"Our team and subcontractors have all contributed to the successful completion of the first early works house.
“Meeting a tight deadline is testament to the hard work and commitment of everyone involved, particularly those who worked tirelessly out on site to ensure the house could be handed over by Minister Macklin on the scheduled date," said Package 12 Manager Ian Wilson.
A total of 13 Indigenous trainees were involved throughout the construction of the house, from the preparation of the site right through to the standing of the Ritek walls and overall construction.
The three-bedroom sleepout design can accommodate six people.
The design was popular during the community consultation and design process.
There are two bedrooms at one end of the house, with a main bathroom and kitchen living space in the centre.
Coming off the kitchen and living space is a sleepout area, or breezeway, which leads to a third bedroom.
The second toilet and bathroom is accessible from the sleepout and the third bedroom.
Photograph: Dick Guit (Laing O’Rourke), Steve Margetic (Sitzler), Federal Minister Jenny Macklin, Andrew McMahon (McMahon) and tenant Pam Lynch.
