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29 May 2002

DISADVANTAGED YOUNG PEOPLE AND FAMILIES TO BENEFIT FROM QUEENSLAND'S FIRST HOMES FOR HOPE PROJECT

The Queensland Government's Department of Families donated $75,000 towards the State's first Homes for Hope village at the project's official opening last week.

The HIA GreenSmart Village at North Lakes, Brisbane, the first of its kind in Queensland, is project managed by Wesley Mission. It comprises three homes, which will demonstrate to builders, developers and consumers the financial and environmental advantages of the HIA GreenSmart approach. The homes will eventually be sold and the proceeds used to fund Wesley Mission's youth and family services in South-East Queensland.

Queensland Minister for Families Judy Spence made the donation at the official opening at the North Lakes Village. The Department joined numerous other generous contributors including the Housing Industry Association (HIA), the developers of North Lakes, CSIRO, Copper Development Centre, Eco Dezign Homes, Roberts Family Homes, and Markcon Homes.

The GreenSmart Village is an initiative developed by HIA in partnership with Environment Australia, the Australian Greenhouse Office and Greening Australia, which aims to develop and promote the technologies, design principles, and practices to improve the quality of Australia's built environment.

Queensland Minister for Families Judy Spence, Minister for Environment Dean Wells, Wesley Mission Superintendent the Rev Dr Gordon Moyes, local Pine Rivers Shire Councillor Yvonne Barlow and Brisbane Lion's star Shaun Hart, gathered with more than 100 guests to celebrate the official opening of the Village.

Wesley Mission Superintendent, the Rev. Dr. Gordon Moyes, thanked the project's supporters and with the flick of a giant switch lit up the new homes and village. Dr Moyes said the homes were a testimony to the ingenuity and hard work of the partners and sponsors.

"It is encouraging to see so many companies come together to create the GreenSmart Village," Dr. Moyes said. "The Village will make a difference in the both the housing industry and the lives of so many families.

"We are indebted to the partners and sponsors who have so graciously contributed their resources to this important project. This means that we have a chance to bring families back together, help desperate youth who are on the brink of suicide, and provide much needed counseling and support to so many broken young people."

Queensland Minister for Families Judy Spence said her Department was happy to support the project and that the benefits to those in need would be substantial. "It's great to see corporate Australia willing to work with charities and government to address social issues," she said.

North Lakes HIA GreenSmart Village patron and Brisbane Lions star Shaun Hart said he was honoured to support a project that would benefit young people. The homes will be on display from Saturday 1st June 2002, open to the public from 10:00am to 5:00pm Thursday - Saturday.

Meanwhile the Allam Homes, Sea FM and Wesley Mission Homes for Hope project on the NSW Central Coast is due for completion shortly. Local celebrities and politicians joined forces last month to help paint the homes.

Photos of the GreenSmart Village Opening Event:

     

How to get there:

The HIA GreenSmart Village is located on the corner of Chichester Street & Hammersley Court in "Crestwood" at North Lakes.

From the Bruce Highway - Take the Anzac Avenue - Redcliffe exit, from Anzac Avenue take the first left into North Lakes Drive, follow the signs to the Display Village Car Park.

SPONSORS LIST

PARTNERS:

PRINCIPAL SPONSORS:


MAJOR SPONSORS:

Further information: 
Homes for Hope Website
Graeme Cole 
Communications Manager  		(02) 9263 5350 or 0408 470 722
James Ball 
Project Manager, 
HIA GreenSmart Village
Wesley Mission 		(07) 3880 0424 or 0419 403 523


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