FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

ABORIGINAL AND TORRES STRAIT ISLANDER HOUSING

JENKE CIRCUIT KAMBAH

Question: What is the development being proposed for at Jenke Circuit Kambah?

Answer: There are 5 two bedroom units being built on the site which will be used for elderly Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. There is an increasing number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people eligible for older persons housing and more presenting with medical or aged care needs that need appropriate housing.The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body has identified the need for aged specific, culturally appropriate independent living accommodation to cater for the elderly in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. The ACT Government has committed to providing the development that will be built at Jenke Circuit. Providing housing that responds to the needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older people will give the people living there the comfort and knowledge that they will be living in an environment that is culturally appropriate.

Question: How was the site selected?

Answer: The site was selected in consultation with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body. The block is of a generous size and has established eucalyptus trees which are being integrated into the development. Public transport is nearby which provides easy access to the Tuggeranong Twn Centre, with all its community and commercial facilities, including the Tuggeranong Child and Family Centre and the Tuggeranong 55+ Seniors Centre. Lake Tuggeranong can also be easily accessed from Jenke Circuit.

Question: Who will be living there and how will tenants be selected to move in there?

Answer: The development will house older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who meet the eligibility criteria for older persons housing under the Public Rental Housing Assistance Program. This includes people who are at least 50 years of age and/or with significant medical/health needs, have kinship or caring responsibilities and are able to maintain a tenancy with the support and assistance of the community, their extended family or kinship networks or other services.

The properties will be allocated to eligible applicants who are existing public housing tenants and applicants from the public housing waiting list. Housing ACT will maintain the properties and will assist tenants, where necessary, to access services they may require.

Question: What will the new housing look like?

Answer: The 5 dwellings are being located in a cluster around a communal landscape area. The development makes generous use of the site responding to the importance of the collective and maintaining family relationships in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community. At the same time each resident is made to feel safe and secure.

The dwellings abut the central landscape space but also have their own individual entry providing a sense of dignity and individuality. The external materials used on the buildings are robust and simple and are guided by the landscaping.

The unit design promotes a strong link between the home’s exterior and interior spaces. The large covered veranda-like space allows the residents to extend the interior living space, catering for larger family gatherings. Separate private courtyards have also been provided to give residents an opportunity for privacy.

The area beneath the existing eucalyptus trees has been developed as a communal outdoor space with a fire pit, stone seating walls and shelter above. Overland drainage through the site has been located within a dry creek bed to allow for minimal disturbance to the natural landscape.

All the landscape spaces have been planted with native and deciduous flowering trees and the ground layer has been detailed with the herbs, grasses and forbs of the Canberra region native woodland.

Input from the Elected Body has played a major role in the development of the design of the buildings, the outdoor areas and where the buildings are located on the site.

Each dwelling will also have a minimum 6 star energy rating, energy efficient equipment and fittings and will be designed to adaptable standards which will support the tenants and allow them to ‘age in place’.

Question: Who will my neighbours be in Jenke Circuit?

Answer: The development is located in Jenke Circuit Kambah, adjacent to Athllon Drive. There is a mix of land use zones in Jenke Circuit from “community facilities” to commercial ‘business zone’. These zones permit a variety of different uses that support the provision of social sustainability and inclusion. The types of developments permitted on ‘community facilities’ land can include:

community services child care centre outdoor recreation facility

community activity centre parkland community theatre place of worship cultural facility religious associated use residential care accommodation supportive housing retirement village health facility indoor recreation facility

The immediate neighbour to the south (left) is the Sri Lanka Buddhist Temple. The land on the northern (right) side has not yet been developed.

Other neighbours in Jenke Circuit include Goodstart Early Learning Centre, Tuggeranong Baptist Church, Kambah Medical Centre, Kambah Indoor Sports Centre and Storage King.

A Site Map is attached.

Question: Will there be more Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing?

Answer: The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body is committed to working with the ACT Government to increase the amount of suitable accommodation options for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Canberra.

Question: Where can I get more information on this project?

Answer: For more information please contact either:

For Project Information Wes RandallSenior Project OfficerHousing and Community ServicesPhone: 6205 4743Email: wesley.randall@act.gov.au.

For Information on How to Apply

Tony CollinsManager, AllocationsHousing and Community ServicesPhone: 6205 2072Email: tony.collins@act.gov.au

SITE MAP