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Other speechesThis page is dedicated to Peter's speeches made outside of parliament. They include Peter's speeches at local events in the Southport electorate such as School functions, building openings and non for profit groups functions. They usually include a list of acknowledgements of the people attending the function, a special acknowledgement to the traditional owners of the land as well as dot point notes used by Peter.  Please click on the links below to view Peter speeches for the relevant year:-
Official opening of Jim Donaldson Place |
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| Posted by Administrator (admin) on Feb 22 2007 |
| Other Speeches >> |
Opening of Jim Donaldson Place
237 Government Road, Labrador
(Department of Housing Community-Managed Housing Program Project)
10.00 a.m. Friday 16 February 2007
Acknowledgements
• Councillor Dawn Crichlow AOM, Gold Coast City Council
• Peter Maher, Chair of the Gold Coast Housing Company
• Jim Donaldson, local identity after whom the development is being named
• Invited guests and residents of this complex.
• It is my pleasure today to officiate at the opening of this community housing complex on behalf of my colleague Robert Schwarten, the Housing Minister.
• I am also delighted to announce that this complex will be named 'Jim Donaldson Place' in recognition of local identity Jim Donaldson for his years of service to community housing organisations on the Gold Coast and his outstanding service to the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland in the Gold Coast region.
• I had no hesitation in recommending Jim Donaldson as deserving the highest recognition for his service to the Labrador community.
• Jim is strongly committed to social justice and social housing issues. This commitment has been shown through his work with the St Vincent de Paul Society and the Gold Coast Housing Company.
• Jim initially became involved with the St Vincent de Paul Society in 1983 and in 1986 became a committee member of Majella House, a domestic violence refuge on the Gold Coast.
• In 1992 Jim was the first Chairperson of Community Rent Scheme on the Gold Coast and in 1996 was elected president of the Gold Coast Housing Company, a position he held for 10 years.
• I firmly believe in naming public buildings after local identities as it is one way we can record history for future generations.
• Jim, on behalf of the Gold Coast community, a sincere 'thank you' for your efforts.
• A little more about the unit complex now.
• The State Government provided almost $6.3 million for the purchase of land and construction of this 25 unit complex as part of the Department of Housing's Community-Managed Housing Program.
• The Community-Managed Housing Program provides funding for the purchase or construction and furnishing of properties for use as accommodation for low income earners who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, with an emphasis on single people who are socially marginalised.
• A needs analysis undertaken by the Department showed that this type of accommodation was needed in this area.
• This purpose-built complex comprises 25 units of studio style accommodation across seven buildings on two levels, and includes a communal area and laundry.
• There are two adaptable units for use by people with a physical disability, and disabled access throughout the site. Two on-site car parks are available for visitors and emergency vehicles.
• The complex provides a safe, secure, affordable and flexible housing option for tenants who will be able to enjoy the benefits of living in a central location close to conveniences such as public transport and local shopping and medical centres.
• Management rights for the complex have been allocated to the Gold Coast Housing Company.
• The Gold Coast Housing Company is the biggest community housing provider on the Gold Coast and one of the largest community housing providers in the State. It manages more than 200 properties under a range of programs.
• In closing, I would like to extend sincere best wishes to the tenants who will benefit from this great housing partnership between the Department of Housing and the Gold Coast Housing Company.
• I would also like to congratulate all parties involved with this project on the commendable work they have done.
Thank you
Last changed: [PUBLISHED_DATE] at 2:23 PM
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