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Over the counter land sales begin 11 August

Released 02/08/2008

Residential blocks will be available for sale over the counter from Monday 11 August 2008, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope announced today.

Over 100 blocks in Franklin, Bonner and Dunlop will be available for sale over the counter, removing the need for interested parties to register for a ballot or auction to own their own block.

"By providing over the counter sales, the ACT Government is providing even more options for home buyers," Mr Stanhope said.

"Between them, the three estates make available a variety of blocks to suit a range of lifestyle needs. All three suburbs have been designed with a strong environmental focus and have a commitment to reducing the ecological footprint through the clever use of technology, planning and water-sensitive urban design.

"Over the counter sales is one of the 62 actions contained in the ACT Labor Government's successful Affordable Housing Action Plan."

"Blocks are available from the LDA Sales Offices in Kingston or Harrison. A $1000 holding deposit will secure your block.

The blocks will be available from 8:30am on Monday 11 August. Enquiries can be made before 11 August 2008, through the LDA Land Sales and Information Centre located on the corner of Flemington Road and Nullarbor Avenue in Harrison, where you can also see innovative home ideas at the LDA/HIA Display Village.

For more information go to http://www.lda.act.gov.au/ or call on 1800 777 952.

"The ACT Labor Government is committed to ensuring that all Canberrans have access to safe, secure and affordable housing," Mr Stanhope said.

Implementation of the 62 initiatives contained in the ACT Government's leading Affordable Housing Action Plan is well advanced. Already under the Plan, the Labor Government has:

• increased land supply to 3,400 in the 2007-08 financial year;
• adopted a rolling five-year land release program;
• streamlined land release processes, and introduced englobo land releases;
• mandated the delivery of house and land packages priced between $200,000 and $300,000, and introduced the OwnPlace initiative;
• provided more generous concessions, to help first home buyers into the housing market;
• introduced the land rent scheme to assist more low-income families buy their own home;
• invited institutional investors to increase the supply of private rental accommodation;
• boosted community housing with an equity injection of $40 million and a loan facility of $50 million;
• ensured that better and more targeted use is made of public housing - 87 per cent of new public housing allocations are made to applicants in urgent need compared to 38 per cent nationally;
• implemented measures to improve the energy efficiency in the public housing;
• released two demonstration projects to showcase affordable land and housing packages; and
• funded design awards to encourage excellence in affordable housing design and construction.

Media Contact:

Jess Wurf	6205 0504	0411 772 700	jess.wurf@act.gov.au
Penelope Layland	6205 9777	0438 289 714	penelope.layland@act.gov.au