Manjimup Seniors Housing Initiative Gains Momentum

MEDIA RELEASE – Manjimup seniors housing initiative gains momentum
March 2016
On Saturday 12 March, the Hon. Colin Holt MLC, Minister for Housing and the Hon. Terry Redman MLA, Minister for Regional Development, were in Manjimup to officially launch the Seniors Housing initiative for Manjimup. 

At a morning tea hosted by the Housing Authority together with the Shire of Manjimup, the Ministers announced that the 'Expression of Interest' process is now open, seeking submissions from experienced developers and/consortia to deliver a seniors affordable housing solution on land owned by the Housing Authority in Manjimup. 
The initiative is a collaboration between the Shire of Manjimup and the Housing Authority, with support from the South West Development Commission.  It will see the construction of independent living units for people aged over 55 on the old Manjimup Primary School site, bounded by Moore, Mount, Rutherford and Collier Streets in Manjimup. 
"To some it may have seemed that this project has gone quiet, when in fact, there has been significant background work taking place, between the Shire and the Housing Authority, to get this project off the ground," said Shire President Wade DeCampo. 
The project came about in 2006 in response to community demand, after Council was presented with a petition of 974 signatures, calling for development to occur on the old primary school site for seniors/over 55s housing. 
In 2014, the Shire facilitated the process of having the site rezoned to accomodate the proposed development.  In addition, Regional Develpment Minister The Hon. Terry Redman MLA announced funding of $2 million of Royalties for Regions funding which will to be put towards the project
A public Invitation for Expressions of Interest is currently advertised on Tenders WA (Ref HOU0208216) from 12 March 2016 with a closing date and time of 2:30pm WST Thursday14 April 2016.
A non-mandatory industry briefing will be held Thursday 31 March 2016; 11.00-12noon at the Bunbury Tower , 61 Victoria Street, Bunbury 6230. This event will be of interest to developers, builders, not-for-profit organisations and service providers with questions relating to the Invitation for Expression of Interest as advertised on Tenders WA (ref: HOU0208216). Please register your attendance for this free industry briefing by emailing manjimupseniors@housing.wa.gov.au.   
For more information, visit the Housing Authority's website or view the joint ministerial announcement from the Ministers for Housing and Regional Development.
For further information and how to apply, visit: www.tenders.wa.gov.au (Ref HOU0208216).
The Manjimup Seniors Living Project is made possible by the State Government's Royalties for Regions program.
-ENDS- 
Authorised by Andrew Campbell, Chief Executive Officer
Contact Gina Nieuwendyk, Coordinator Communication and Executive Support
Contact: 9771 7777
Contact for comment: Wade DeCampo, Shire President.
Contact: 0427 094 081