The Greens MP Jamie Parker has critisised the O’ Farrell Government for a $292 million dollar maintenance backlog. Evidence was compiled by the Member for Balmain, who claims public housing residents have been neglected.
“It is a disgrace that some of the most vulnerable people in our community are living in appalling conditions with little support from Housing NSW,” he said.
“Underfunding basic maintenance only leads to greater future costs as small problems grow into significant structural faults. This backlog is financially irresponsible and places huge pressure on tenants.
There must be a significant increase in funding to address this massive backlog left by Labor and allowed to persist by the current Liberal government.”
Mr Parker has listed several public housing residents waiting months and years for repairs to their home.
“The O’Farrell government needs to protect these important assets and invest in basic maintenance to prevent escalating costs and to support tenants,” he said.
“This government abolished the role of the Minister for Housing and we now have a complex and disorganised division between different departments.”
“The maintenance program is a shambles. It’s underfunded and disorganised.”
The MP claims residents are facing rat infestations, flooding, mould and holes in the ceilings of homes.
“The recent splitting of the Housing portfolio hasn’t delivered the kind of reform needed as the funding is still woefully inadequate,” he said.
Minister for Finance and Services, Greg Pearce, has defended the housing portfolio split.
“On coming into Government we gave two Ministers responsibility for housing – the Minister for Family and Community Services, who manages tenancy matters, and the Minister for Finance & Services, who manages the assets,” he said.
“Housing NSW has also been divided, with those looking after assets moved to the Land and Housing Corporation under the larger Department of Finance & Services, allowing those at Housing NSW to focus on tenants.”
Mr Pearce has ensured lowering the maintenance backlog is a priority.
“The previous NSW Labor Government failed to effectively manage social housing across the state.” he said.
“One of the ways the NSW Liberals & Nationals is addressing this is by actively pursuing the renewal of existing social housing.
“So far we have commenced urban renewal projects at Airds Bradbury and Riverwood and we will announce a pipeline projects into the future later this year,” he said.
“Getting the maintenance backlog down is a priority for the Government and a task we know will take time to turn around after 16 years of neglect under NSW Labor.”
“The majority of maintenance is planned and scheduled to match annual budget allocations and work priorities.”
