BAC
HOUSING
better services out bush
The housing team has
been expanded to include a carpenter, plumber and an
essential services officer managed from one central
location, the offices of BAC Housing. This initiative
was in response to previous difficulties experienced
in servicing all the outstations' maintenance needs.
This has been the first full year since restructuring
and the service to outstations has improved considerably.
A twice yearly survey is carried out to ascertain the
maintenance required by each house and this is then
actioned.
Work carried out during
the year includes replacing security screens, fly wire,
windows and louvres as required; replacing old grey water
systems as part of an ongoing program; installing 12
new gel batteries, also part of an ongoing program; and
continuing to install new water tanks on elevated stands.
The team has also undertaken
contracted work on outstation schools. An IHANT grant
has been obtained to renovate some outstation houses,
principally those at Gochan Jiny-Jirra. Work has commenced
but has been complicated by the need to remove asbestos.
Presently this department is fully staffed but the scarcity
of skilled tradesmen is a continual and costly problem.
Four CDEP workers assist
the tradesmen. They receive continual on the job training
and the Maningrida JET Centre (the community's Registered
Training Organisation) hopes to commence three of them
in apprenticeships with the Corporation soon.
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