Between 2007 and 2010, Director Finance Peter Fairlie Jones at the City of Salisbury in South Australia led a multi agency and multidisciplinary team to develop the award winning Brahma Green affordable housing project.
Earlier this year, the scheme won the financial management section of the Local Government Managers South Australian Awards.
Peter Fairlie Jones said to address the housing affordability crisis facing its community, Council aimed to take advantage of land it owned. He said many were sceptical about the idea initially.
Council with HomeStart Finance Salisbury teamed up to create a shared appreciation mortgage product in partnership.
Homes were made affordable through the financial structure rather than reducing the cost.
Peter Fairlie Jones said the initiative resulted in 11 families from the local area with low to moderate incomes achieving their dream of home ownership with only a $1000 deposit.
“Furthermore the homes were built to a high seven star energy rating,” he said. “Importantly, the program was designed to provide a return on Council funds and therefore not involve a cost to other ratepayers.
Installing solar panels on Lake Macquarie Council’s works depot.
