Renovated Community Jobs Program home sells well at auctionNumber 12 Kent Street has sold at auction for $52,000 By Latrobe City Council - 13th December 2001 - Back to News Number 12 Kent Street, the Moe house renovated through a Community Jobs Program pilot scheme initiated by Latrobe City Council, has sold at auction for $52,000 - a $29,000 increase on its pre-renovation valuation of $23,000.
Latrobe City Mayor, Councillor Brendan Jenkins, said the auction price had exceeded all expectations raised when the project to renovate surplus public housing stock through low cost and employment creating opportunities, was first mooted.
"The price realised at auction is more than double its pre-renovation estimated value, and the fact it has sold so well, is a tribute to the twelve project employees who undertook landscaping, decking, painting, plastering, tiling, floor sanding and polishing to make 12 Kent Street an attractive property to purchase," Cr Jenkins said
"Through their enthusiasm and hard work the initial project was deemed an enormous success resulting in a $2.2million State Government funding for a two-year housing renewal and employment project across the Latrobe Valley.
"The good price received for 12 Kent Street bodes well for the future of the program and 240 of the region’s unemployed who will receive real wages, as well as accredited training and ongoing job opportunities as they restore a further twenty houses in the towns of Moe and Morwell," Cr Jenkins said.
John Kerr and Associates auctioneer, Evan Platschinda, said nine properties had been auctioned from 12 Kent Street on the day and more than one-hundred people had attended the auction.
"Former Housing Commission type homes generally sold in the high thirty to low forty thousand dollar bracket, with 12 Kent Street being better presented, and outstanding in its field, reaching $52,000," Mr Platschinda said.
"At the moment there is a great deal of interest in these sorts of homes, with the market attracting local purchasers and people from the eastern suburbs keen to move to or purchase an investment property.
"Low interest rates and the seven thousand dollar subsidy boost through the First Home Owners Scheme are encouraging buyers, but there are other factors impacting on the local market such as staff appointed to the new Telstra Call Centre seeking residential properties. The market is probably the best I have seen since I started in real estate, so it’s extremely encouraging for the Latrobe region," Mr Platschinda added.
Councillor Jenkins said that the renovations to 12 Kent Street had followed discussions among Council officers seeking ways of providing jobs for the unemployed through an urban renewal program which utilised surplus housing stock.
"After attracting Community Jobs Program funding, a unique partnership was formed between Latrobe City, TRY Youth and Community Services, the Community Jobs Program and the Office of Housing, to upgrade 12 Kent Street.
"Not only did the project inspire those working through the Community Jobs Program on the Kent Street residence, but the whole community, creating a great sense of neighbourhood pride. I believe the good price received for 12 Kent Street at auction can only further neighbourhood pride for nearby residents, and in fact the whole region," Cr Jenkins concluded.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: latrobecity@gippslander.com
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