Teachers raise housing issues at conference

By Wayne Patterson

Local teacher representatives of the Teacher Housing Authority (THA) had the opportunity to raise housing issues affecting teachers in their communities at the THA conference held in Dubbo on August 21.

Thirty local THA representatives attended the conference travelling from places as far as Wentworth and Broken Hill. Federation Assistant General Secretary (Schools) John Irving and Federation Country Organisers Fred Dumbrell, Jeff Ainsworth and Wayne Patterson also attended. Jeff Ainsworth is also a member of the board of the Teacher Housing Authority.

Managers, officers and board members of the THA outlined recent initiatives of the THA following the review of services last year.

THA general manager Craig de Plater chaired the conference and spoke on the role of local estate agents and local THA representatives. He described the process of allocating accommodation in THA premises and the planning and record keeping processes of the authority.

THA business operations manager Ken Parker reported on the outcomes of the THA working party which conducted a review of THA services. The establishment of a new position of planning and liaison manager was an important outcome of the review. Neryl Wilson has been appointed to the position. Part of her role is visiting country towns to meet with THA residents and school principals.

Other issues dealt with at the conference included the proposed asset register visitations, minor repairs and maintenance (this topic caused a good deal of debate and discussion) and the new subsidy arrangements (see Education, August 4).

In regard to maintenance issues all THA residents are encouraged to ensure they use the maintenance request form to provide a 'paper trail' so that managing agents cannot claim that he/she were never told about maintenance issues.

Managing agents sign an agreement and are being paid to follow up on maintenance issues. If lack of maintenance is ongoing and common, it should be raised with THA via your local THA representative.

The THA is eager to receive feedback from teachers in THA accommodation and is conducting a tenancy survey in September. Teachers can also contact their Federation Organisers about unresolved THA issues.

Wayne Patterson is a Country Organiser.

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September 2003 contents