TheNT Newsunderstands that the houses may only be liveable for two to five years and the NT Government provided feedback that they were not a suitable option.
The secretive process that the federal indigenous affairs envoy and NT Senator Nigel Scullion undertook in plucking 12 houses from beside the Stuart Hwy has come under scrutiny and questions have been raised as to the suitability of the homes, most of which were built in the late 1970s and have been sitting roadside for over four years.
A spokeswoman for Territory Housing Minister Gerry McCarthy said neither the Department of Housing nor the Ministers office was aware of plans by the Australian Government to provide houses to Borroloola.
Instead, they were made aware of the move on November 6, when a representative from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet and an Australian Army representative met with the Territory Government to advise them of their plans to deliver 12 ex-RAAF houses to the remote community urgently.
The spokeswoman said the Federal Government had not yet released $14.6 million committed for housing at Borroloola ten years ago as part of the Strategic Indigenous Housing Infrastructure Project.
During his time as Treasurer, Prime Minister Scott Morrison approved $550 million over five years for remote housing as part of an agreement to match the NTGs $1.1 billion investment over 10 years, she said.
The question regarding why the funding hasnt been signed off on will have to be referred to the Australian Government.
NT Senator Malarndirri McCarthy, who grew up in Borroloola, said she had been made aware of discussion about Mr Abbotts return to her hometown and his aim to take 12 houses from Berrimah to Borroloola.
What conversations have they had with the Borroloola community? she said.
The people of Borroloola have been waiting for a very long time for housing money that was promised 10 years ago and Senator Scullion has not signed off on that housing money.
If Mr Abbott went in on the first occasion and was quite humiliated by the people of Borroloola, because they didnt know he was coming, then if they dont know what he is doing now, is he going to have a repeat performance? she said.
Ms McCarthy also challenged the suitability of the houses and the plan to move them from Berrimah to Borroloola.
With the actual houses themselves, they have been sitting there for quite a number of years, what is the safety of those houses being relocated over 1000 kilometres? she said.
I think having the presence of the army, if that is the case, what does that say about local jobs and local involvement?
A spokesman for Indigenous Affairs Minister Nigel Scullion did not respond to questions about how much the relocation of the buildings would cost or how it would be funded but said Mr Scullion had become frustrated that the residents of Borroloola had been waiting too long for the Territory government to deliver housing investment.
The Minister has been talking to the Northern Land Council and his Department is engaging with the residents of Borroloola on options to get housing outcomes quicker than the Territory Government can provide, he said.
It is a lie to say that the housing investment has not been rolled out because the Commonwealth has not come to an agreement with the community. It is the Northern Territory Government that is negotiating the land agreement with the community.
The Territory Housing Minister Gerry McCarthy spokeswoman said the NT Government already had plans to build 38 new houses across four town camps in Borroloola.
Planning for the additional and replacement homes is underway with construction tenders expected to be released next month, she said.
Mr Abbotts office was contacted for comment.
It is understood initial site work for the 12 houses was expected to start on Friday.
SourceNT News9 November 2018
