THE last time public housing for senior Katherinites was constructed, Marshall Perron was the Northern Territory chief minister and Cher’s “If I Could Turn Back Time” changed the way everyone looked at navy equipment.
But that is set to change after Housing Minister Bess Price announced that public housing would become a priority in Katherine for the first time since 1989.
During a visit to town on June 19, Mrs Price joined Member for Katherine Willem Westra van Holthe in inspecting the two Katherine East sites that 12 one- and two-bedroom houses will be constructed on.
There are currently 64 seniors waiting for public housing in Katherine and Mrs Price said the new developments would go a substantial way to alleviating the waiting pain.
“Seniors in Katherine have said they are worried about living in public housing in flood areas,” she said.
"These houses will help our older residents, while also reducing the wait list by freeing up existing public housing for others.”
Six houses suitable for independent living will be constructed on Acacia Drive, while another six for “seniors with carers or people with mobility issues” are planned for Martin Terrace.
Mr Westra van Holthe said the single-story houses had been designed with senior living in mind, adding that priority would be given to those currently living in flood-prone areas of the town.
“Priority will be given to rehousing seniors currently living in flood-prone housing elsewhere in Katherine,” he said.
Mr Westra van Holthe said “priority will be given to rehousing seniors currently living in flood-prone housing elsewhere in Katherine”.
