Ela Beach is Port Moresby’s primary public beach. It houses the country’s whitest sands, beautiful waters, and a range of various recreational facilities like beach volleyball and basketball courts, a boardwalk, an amphitheater, and a few kiosks. Or at least that’s what it was. Now it’s playing host to a rather controversial development that foreshadows significant changes in the landscape that has once defined Port Moresby. And whether that change – a proposed four-lane road and a beach extension – is good or bad depends on who you ask. All that glitters is not goldThe underlying issue is not with the project itself, as many perceive it. The real problem with the construction of the development, at least for most of the city residents, is the fact that the project will involve cutting the old Casuarina trees that have decorated the landmark for decades, trees that have been part of countless family stories passed down from generation to generation. For some of these people, removing them means removing a part of the country’s history.Many are also already crying foul and asking if the government could have done more research in order to continue construction without having to cut the trees down.Understanding the ColorsThe government was quick to respond to the allegations and have made it clear that they are doing all they can to save as much of the trees as possible. NCD Governor, Powes Parkop said, “We understood that the older trees were part of the Ela beach heritage and are working hard to save those which can be saved.”He clarifies that the ones being cut down are merely trees that have reached their life expectancy. This will be a difficult dilemma in the future should the dead trees become a threat to public safety.Parkop stressed, “Our interest is to serve our people as best as possible. Ela Beach is the only major park we have in Port Moresby and we are looking forward to making it bigger, better and more serviceable for our residents.” He also urges the residents to not focus on what will be lost, but instead to focus on what can be gained.Setting the ContrastWith the loss of the abovementioned facilities, the residents will gain a larger beach area, a new two-way road, and even a new Sea Park not far off into the beach. These will add to the APEC Meeting Hall which is set to become one of the most iconic buildings in PNG. This, the government hopes, will propel the country into the global main stage.In total, the government will be spending K55 million for the redevelopment of Ela Beach and another K45 for the Sea Park. Both projects are expected to reach completion in 2018, right before the APEC Summit starts.With both arguments valid and both sides taking the initiative to fight for their own causes, what remains constant and agreeable is the fact that everyone just wants to paint a better future for Ela Beach and PNG as a whole. And while it looks uncertain for now, it will soon be revealed just how much everyone can benefit from the bigger picture. For now, we can just give the artist some recommendations and trust that the final product will be one that everyone can enjoy.

A portion of Papua New Guinea’s population is now trying to recover after extreme floods recently devastated their properties. Homes were submerged alongside gardens, crops, and even livestock. Other than that, surrounding roads also seemed to have lay to waste as the storm subsided. This has called into question the construction quality of infrastructure.Image Source: emtv.com.pg What happens after a calamity?The typical recovery scenario one might find in Papua New Guinea after tragedies such as this is the quick attempts at reparation of damaged properties. But the government has recently been finding it much more difficult to move forward due to the ludicrous amount of requests they receive for compensation. And while this may potentially help alleviate the situation of affected citizens, it has been the subject to alleged abuse.Works Minister Francis Awesa recalls that just recently, the people at Guo in Chimbu requested a payment amounting to K1 million before they were allowed to repair a portion of the national highway. This is something the government is not taking lightly.Awesa explains, “This Government and the Works Department will not entertain these unnecessary and ridiculous compensation claims, which are an impediment to Papua New Guinea’s development, growth and prosperity.” He continues, “That is why the O’Neill Government will introduce new laws with tougher penalties for people who try to hold the country to ransom with their demands for compensation.What else is the government doing about the “compensation mentality”?Awesa describes the O’Neill administration to have delivered more bridges and roads than any former government administration. But more than that, he says that it also is currently developing higher grade infrastructures that is less prone to damage by extreme weather and climate conditions. He said, “For the first time, this Government is delivering climate-resilient infrastructure to withstand extreme weather conditions that pose a grave danger to our roads and bridges.”What developments are actually lined up?Part of these planned infrastructure developments is the Bridge Replacement for Improved Rural Access Project where old one-lane bailey bridges are being replaced by new concrete ones throughout the country. The project will see the construction of a series of bridges that include the recently opened Laloki Bridge at the National Capital District. It will be the first 4-lane bridge in the country.Other constructed bridges include the Brown River bridge and the Angabanga bridge which was built in a span of 18 months by the China Harbour Engineering Company through a loan from the Asian Development Bank. Seven other bridges are also set to rise along the Magi highways in Central and Hiritano.The rolling out of a second package of developments will also happen in East and West Sepik, Madang, and West New Britain soon. Works Secretary David Wereh mentioned that the construction of the three new bridges is a testament to the focus of the department to create structures that reflect high engineering standards. Wereh states that the the department had currently bypassed its 800-meter construction target for bridge structures.Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive news and updates about New Developments, Free Land Titles News, Real Estate & Housing Demand trends and other programmes to help PNG home buyers!

Image Source: indopacificimages.comThe landscape of the National Capital District in Papua New Guinea has shifted in the few years of development it has gone through. And it seems like surrounding areas are about to experience the same treatment while the government pushes for a more progressive and modern appeal.Parceled-off land in the outskirts are being structured to accommodate more commercial and prime residential real estate developments. But in order to more efficiently utilize resources, the government will be looking towards every direction for potential issues and opportunities. Reading the CompassAs developers close in on the National Capital District, the area’s developments continue to sprawl outward for its expansion. In Moresby East and West, hills have become construction grounds and the horizon has turned into a vision of what is to come.  Although arrangements have been put forward such as the lease-lease-back or build operate and transfer (BOT), the only problem that the National Capital District Commission is worried about are the customary lands that may serve as a roadblock for faster expansion of the city. Despite this, ongoing talks are being made with the customary landowners to streamline the process.Meanwhile in the figurative south, Downtown Port Moresby has seen rapid expansion and growth in the past decade. The once drab and impoverished lands have been transformed into glass-laden structures with foundations of concrete and steel. Without sufficient buildable land, the previous years also saw a vertical expansion in the downtown area – especially in the shoreline.  This has paved the way for the Waterfront commercial zone. This is a major factor that is driving more investments into the capital.Walking on WaterRight now, the multimillion Kina Koki Fish Market structure is suspended on steel struts above the sea as it awaits completion. It is an NCDC project that is aimed to provide long-term benefits to the economy and to the fishing communities of both Koki Point and the Vabukori villages.The project will be constructed alongside a service station with amenities like docks for boats and toilets. This is going to be under a public private partnership with the Oil Search Limited company.Pride of the LandConstruction will go full throttle as the government places particular importance on design. Another shoreline development that will be a testament to this is the upcoming APEC Haus that was launched by the Prime minister Peter O’Neill. It will lay host to the 2018 APEC Summit and will connected to Ela Beach through a land bridge.The APEC Haus will be built on reclaimed land and will take the shape of a Lagatoi Sail that resembles the symbol used in the NCD and Central Province flags. The Lagatoi was an integral craft that was part of lives and culture of the people in the coastal Central area.Similar to the Koki Fish Market, the APEC Haus will be built in partnership with the Oil Search Limited company as well using a National Executive Credit approved tax credit scheme. Once done, it is believed that The APEC Haus will be the Sydney Opera House of Papua New Guinea.”With an increasing demand for new land to build on, the government is seeking to not only expand and discover new land but also to grow its economic competency. At this rate, we may see a whole new Papua New Guinea  few years from now.Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive news and updates about New Developments, Free Land Titles News, Real Estate & Housing Demand trends and other programmes to help PNG home buyers!

Image Source: vsa.org.nzVarious housing projects and policies have been popping up in the real estate sector of Papua New Guinea. For instance, the National Gaming Control Board has issued the first ever housing policy that aims to distribute shares from 20 land leases to loyal employees.The Government of Papua New Guinea has also been partnering with local and international developers to construct low-cost housing in the form of Duran Farm. Just recently, plans on creating a new housing development for low-income earners have surfaced again. House Blessing Archbishop Francesco Panfilo – in an Islands region mayors conference in Kokopo – recently talked about the plans of the Archdiocese of Rabaul in East New Britain to develop a housing project for employees in Kokopo. Panfilo says, “We foresee the project to develop into three to four stages with the hope that at the end, we may have about 250 houses.” The project will be located behind the Kokopo sports field.Even though this will be a large scale project like this, Panfilo clarifies that there is still a need to preserve the landscapes, infrastructure, and common areas in order to maintain the familiar feeling of being home even in a city setting. The Archdiocese will also be financing additional infrastructure developments that will regulate drainages, water, roads, and electricity.Huge PotentialWith the primary goal to guard the welfare of his community, Panfilo explains in a recent awarding that “PNG is a developing country but there are so many opportunities.” And these opportunities require us to nurture different resources. But above anything, the housing projects are aimed towards nurturing one of the most important resources. Panfilo says that “there is the human resource, which is the best resource of PNG, particularly the children and the youth.”Doing It All Over AgainThis isn’t the first time the Archdiocese of Rabaul got involved in a project like this. In 2013, their Project Office development was completed. It has since assisted education providers, health providers, women, and youth groups that are under their care to carry out various activities. The project’s office is located at Vunapope, just opposite the Radio Peter ToRot Station.With the Archdiocese or Rabaul taking on a vital role in the betterment of the lives of PNG citizens and other organizations providing alternatives to alleviate poverty in their own circles of influence, could the economy of PNG soon receive a significantly bigger boost in order to get into the radar of the international market? No matter the case, if the plans push through, 250 low-income earners will have a good opportunity to get a roof above their head without breaking the bank.Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive news and updates about New Developments, Free Land Titles News, Real Estate & Housing Demand trends and other programmes to help PNG home buyers!

Eyebrows were raised after the announcement of a change in housing benefits for 2017. But the government was quick to come to its defense and explain that the uproar is nothing but a product of a misunderstanding. This is a sentiment that was explained by Treasury Secretary Dairi Vele during a conference with media outlets. Sorting out SpeculationSecretary Vele noted that what the changes were clearly stated in the documentation of the budget. He explains that the scope of the change included only those with an accommodation cost of K3,000 a week. He says that “the amendment will not affect low-to-medium income accommodation rates.”This entails that there will be no increase in tax liability for families in the low and medium income tax brackets. The increase will instead be shouldered by those in the higher to highest income tax brackets. He clarifies, “There has been an increase in rates for the highest end of the market and will not affect ‘ordinary workers’ as has been claimed.” He says that “the policy is clear in maintaining the existing level of taxation for tax payers in the low-to-middle cost employer provided housing.”Vele also urges everyone to establish the facts first. He states, “I call on commentators to seek clarification from Treasury or IRC before before self-promoting themselves through false news.” And because of the recent outcry against the changes made on the housing benefits, Vele says that a new mechanism has been initiated by both the IRC and the Treasury to provide clear and factual information through a government website. He adds that clarifications can also be made through a dedicated phone line. Details of both mechanisms have yet to be announced.All is FairOne key directive was given to the secretary by the treasurer and Prime Minister. The 2017 budget should maintain a fair system that would help improve the economy. Vele explains,“You do not stimulate economic activity by imposing costs on the workers and our growing middle class, you need to make it easier to stimulate further consumer spending.” He continues, “This shifts the burden of these costs away from the lower and middle income brackets, towards higher income brackets where the higher earners are better able to absorb the costs.He also explains that this is a step to make real estate affordable for those earning lower income. Vele says that “the changes were made to better reflect the current market rental values so the ordinary income earners can afford housing.”Treasury Minister Patrick Pruaitc seconds the sentiments of Vele. In a separate occasion, “This change will only affect high income earners who are provided with expensive accommodation and it will raise around K6 million annually.” He adds that this is fair because people receiving housing allowance in the form of cash are taxed using marginal rates.Pruaitc also says that “the 2017 budget only extended taxes that have been implemented since 2011 to include two new categories that encompass very high housing rentals.”2017 will be a new year and this clarification may finally allow for a more peaceful transition towards a more stable mechanism. Not everyone will be happy, but this may just be the necessary step towards a much better economy.Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive news and updates about New Developments, Free Land Titles News, Real Estate & Housing Demand trends and other programmes to help PNG home buyers!

Image Source: finchannel.comThe real estate and land markets in Papua New Guinea are slowly gaining traction as new developments both in policies and construction begin to commence. These includes both factors for future changes and ones that are currently underway. But what exact impact do these developments have for businesses inside the said industries for citizens and non-citizens? A closer examination might help. Land Use Regulation ReformA partner at Leahy Lewin Lowing Sullivan, John Leahy – on his viewpoint for the Oxford Business Group – weighs in on the amendments being proposed by the Minister of Lands and Physical Planning, Mr. Benny Allan. Allan is seeking for a reform on foreign ownership, special agriculture business lease abolition, and a Land Board restructuring. Leahy mentions that there remains to be concerns with these proposed changes.Take for example the appeal to restructure the Land Board where Allan aims to remove administrative and political interference. While this has been a welcomed proposal, Leahy explains that businesses remain concerned that there won’t be enough independence with the proposed board members that will be coming from the Lands Department. There is a fear that a strong presence might cancel out or even hurt the objective. But Leahy says that suggestions have also been made by the business community to address this issue.A compromise is also in order for the special agriculture business leases (SABL) as businesses would prefer the policy to stay the same, except for a few minor changes in the Land Act, section 102 to restrict issuance to incorporated land groups. Allan also aims to limit the State lease issuance to just the citizens of PNG.Though there may be a few minor revisions that may prove helpful to further strengthen the real estate sector, the proposal has already been laid out. And whether this will bring about improvements in the sector depends on whether or not they will be approved. Road SealingHaving been sealed a couple of times before, the East Cape Road in Milne Bay is once again being sealed – this time, by nominally State-owned Chinese construction company COVEC. In the ground breaking of the project, Hon. Douglas Tomuriesa, Kiriwina Goodenough MP, says that the government has been spending funds for reconstruction projects each year. And each year, funds that could have gone through different sectors like tourism, health, and education go through for the rebuilding of these infrastructure.As a result of this, Hon. Tomuriesa challenges the construction company to ensure quality and strength to make the reconstruction last. He says, “This is not the first time this road has been sealed; this will be the second or the third time, it will be sealed and I hope the construction company ensures the road lasts.”This is a challenge COVEC is willing to take. A representative from the company, Brian Hu, mentions that they are confident in delivering the government’s desired outcome in two years. Hu explains that their experience and their connection to the country is one of their assets. He said, “We are a foreign company but all our employees reside in the country, and we have been in PNG for 21 years.”This development will also be in partnership with the World Bank which has funded the sealing of the Alotau to East Cape Road in Milne Bay. Ben David who is a representative of the Australian Government says, “This project is a reflection of the long term friendship without our two countries.” The whole project for the 51-kilometer road costs an estimated $29 million and is expected to benefit both the directly affected areas and the surrounding areas in Milne Bay. Charles Abel, Alotau MP, explains that the project will potentially increase economic activities in the area, especially the Alotau people.Both the ongoing development in policy and infrastructure aims for a better economic standing. But more than a better economic outlook, there are also people in between all of these developments that may or may not benefit from them directly. What is important though is that there is already a dialogue and an initiative by the government and big organizations to help not only bring stability but also convenience for its citizens in PNG.Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive news and updates about New Developments, Free Land Titles News, Real Estate & Housing Demand trends and other programmes to help PNG home buyers!

Image Source: emtv.com.pgWith the intent to safeguard the security, welfare, and the future of clans in Papua New Guinea, they are being encouraged by the government to place their customary land under the Incorporated Land Groups (ILG) as opposed to selling them. This is to ensure that the land gets a return value while remaining under their ownership. But what exactly is ILG and what are the benefits of placing customary land under it? Incorporated Land GroupsActing Executive Director Esekia Warvi of the Office of Customary Land Development urged people to register under the Voluntary Customary Land Registration and the Incorporated Land Group. He says, “The ILG/VCLR processes are designed to eradicate land grabbing and pursue natural justice by granting formal recognition to land under customary ownership through incorporated landowning groups.”Max Wagi ILG manager for Southern and New Guinea Islands says, “By registering your land under an ILG, you will be recognised by the State to secure that piece of land by having a title so that any developer has to negotiate with the clan.”The role of ILGs is meant to protect owners of customary land from what is known as land grabbing – people or groups leasing out and abusing both the land meant for agricultural development and the landowner’s ability to intervene. These major land grabbing issues are done with the use of Special Agriculture and Business Leases.Cool Earth mentioned that in 2014, there was a study conducted on 36 agricultural projects that referenced 51 SABLs. The study showed that out of the 36, only 4 allowed crop production potential. This is why even the OCLD is backing up Prime Minister O’Neil, urging people to place their customary land under ILG. This recognizes the customary landowner group as a legal body, able to claim royalties and legal protection – they are able to sue people or groups abusing their land rights. Impact of Incorporated Land GroupsAccording to a case study by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, there are a few lessons we can learn from the ILG. It states that it’s a good way for “customary groups to engage in the formal economy and legal system.” It also says that it can bring out the potential of land, assists in the administration of royalties and compensation payment, and allows flexibility in income distribution.But it also states that certain mechanisms still need to be created and utilized in order to fully take advantage of the ILG. These include mechanisms to educate people on capabilities, function, identification, and provision by the government. It continues that it does “require the support and regulation of government to ensure that they are effectively formed and managed.”Wagi concludes that even with the increase in the number of ILGs, further awareness is still required in order for the people to understand the importance of registering the land as opposed to selling it.Even with further requests for amendment, what matters now is that the option is already there, should there come a need for it. In the end, it is still under the landowner’s discretion.Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive news and updates about New Developments, Free Land Titles News, Real Estate & Housing Demand trends and other programmes to help PNG home buyers!

Image Source: emtv.com.pgAccording to the World Risk Index for 2016, Papua New Guinea is ranked number 10 out of 171 under the list of countries that are “most at risk of disasters”. Factors for arriving at this conclusion involves the evaluation of key elements such as poverty, slum housing, and law enforcement. In an effort to offset this, the National Housing Corporation commissioned the help of partners like the Shandong Yinjiang Industry Firm from China to launch the Duran Farm housing project, where it hopes to help alleviate the struggle brought about by the inability of many of its citizens to obtain quality housing properties, either due to a lack of supply or a lack of financial flexibility.More than a FarmIn line with the NHC’s desire to offer citizens better housing options, Shandong Yinjiang Industry aims to build around 100 residential homes or more. These houses will target the needs of middle-class citizens or public servants who are searching for higher quality homes but do not want to break the bank. In a recent interview with EMTV, engineers working on the site said that the homes are built to last up to 100 years. The president of the firm – Rongtian Xu – expounds that the Duran Farm development is a “manifestation of the government’s concern about the people’s welfare, well-being.” And with that kind of mindset, they hope to “create a model of township for PNG.” More for LessBeing a first-time developer in the Papua New Guinea scene, Rongtian Xu assures that their firm offers the same quality property developments as the ones offered by other modern developers. And all of this without amplifying the sales price or the cost of the project itself. He adds that they offer up to a 70 percent discount for the homes to make it more affordable for citizens.A house with three bedrooms will only set buyers back K350,000. A four-bedroom house will cost around K400,000. And a five-bedroom house will only cost K450,000. But already included in these packages are the allocated land titles. Chief Secretary, Isaac Lupari, states though that most of the units will be bought by the government so they can encourage public servants to purchase it through the Bank South Pacific loan scheme which can allow them to borrow up to K200 million.The managing director of NHC, John Dege, states that water and electricity are also already ready to be installed. They are just waiting for the final payment to be released before proceeding. More to ComeSince they’re already currently doing business inside Papua New Guinea, Shandong Yinjiang Industry is also planning to expand and develop similar housing projects. They are particularly interested in the Morobe province, where they are constantly trying to negotiate a mutually beneficial deal with the local government.If successful with their partnership, the NHC, the Shandong Yinjiang Industry, and the other developers who are currently involved in this project can potentially be the pioneers of what could be a great shift in the housing landscape of the country.Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive news and updates about New Developments, Free Land Titles News, Real Estate & Housing Demand trends and other programmes to help PNG home buyers!

A few years back, Touaguba Hill was just a suburb that was a traditional gardening area for the clans of Hanuabada. Moving to the present time, Touaguba Hill is now one of the more progressive suburbs that boast modern and attractive real estate development and investment opportunities. The area also boasts efficient access to water supply and a 24-hour security system for safety.Adding to that, this part of Port Moresby will also be the future location for which a new major housing project from NPL Development Ltd will stand. The project shall be called Touaguba Hill Paradise and will include three apartment buildings with 9 levels each to cater to future unit owners. It will be located at the highest point of Touaguba Hill and will also comprise of 113 fully furnished units. This news comes not long after an increase in demand for quality accommodations and housing in the area and is aimed to address the issue through attractive solutions.According to NPL Development Ltd’s Managing Director, Dato’ Jimmy Poh, the project has around 23,373.70 square meters of construction area at a cost of K90 million. It is expected to take around 2 years to build it and is targeted to reach completion by June of 2018. He also says that “the development of Touaguba Hill Paradise is a collaboration of international team of designers and real estate firm to deliver a very well thought out living space with style and flair.”Placing particular importance to the design, the developers had also given much consideration to align the aesthetics with the view of the property which will be overlooking Ela Beach, Koki Bay and a portion of Harbour City. The fully furnished apartment will feature some classy interiors and a set of facilities that will bring a modern way of living for unit owners, including a top of the line basement parking for tenants.The location of the property is probably also another selling point as it’s only minutes away from the city’s central business district. As of now, DAC Real Estate has been announced as the sales agent of Touaguba Hill Paradise.Papua New Guinea likely to experience growth in the employment sector thanks to foreign investmentsAt the opening of the project, NCD Governor Powes Parkop also spoke about what this development meant and entails. He says that the project is a strong indicator of growth in the economy. At most, it gives the impression that the economic situation of Papua New Guinea is doing fine. This will help bringing in more foreign investments to the country so that there can be more of both upscale and budget-sensitive construction projects.More than the good news for expats, Parkop says that one of the more important things is that these types of projects will generate new jobs for the skilled workers in the area.Many stadiums have been built in the last few years, specifically because Papua New Guinea was host to the 2015 Pacific Games. Among these are the National Football Stadium, Sir John Guise Stadium, and the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium. But due to the dwindling number of constructions of infrastructure those had been completed, there had been an influx of homeless people in Port Moresby. So, this news will surely be welcomed with open arms by the people who had only recently lost their homes because of a lack of employment.First Ever Housing Policy AnnouncedAnother entity that’s addressing these employment and real estate issues is the National Gaming Control Board or the NGCB who just recently announced the first ever housing policy. The Housing Policy 2016-2020 aims to incentivise the efforts of countless employees and staff members who have dedicated years into the service of the organization.One of the criteria to receive shares from the 20 land lease titles the government has allocated is to have at least five years of permanent employment with the NGCB. According to the National Gaming Control Board chief executive Imelda Agon, as of the moment, there are around 24 staff members that are eligible to apply for this program, based on gender equality and income level. She states, “This particular lease title will go to the low income earners of the NGCB because it’s difficult for them to buy a house. So, in that way, we are also participating in the government’s housing program. We have given back supporting communities, health, education, different sectors including sports and support the preservation of our rich culture and natural resources. I believe it’s time to give back to the dedicated staff of NGCB.”There had certainly been a lot of progress in the policies of both private and national organizations and companies in the country. It is only a matter of time before the economy stabilizes and moves forward to produce more opportunities to develop meaningful housing projects that will lessen poverty and provide housing opportunities for the citizens of Papua New Guinea.Subscribe to our Newsletter to receive news and updates about New Developments, Free Land Titles News, Real Estate & Housing Demand trends and other programmes to help PNG home buyers!

Papua New Guineans wishing to build their own homes have been constantly faced with the challenge of securing land titles to offer to the banks.However, this will now be a thing of the past with a launching of a new K20 million government-sponsored housing scheme designed to enable public servants to access state land titles to build their own homes.The project will come under the trusteeship of 5 government agencies including Department of Lands and Physical Planning, Department of Finance, Office of Urbanisation and the Department of Justice and Attorney General where each department will carry with it specific conditions. According to Board Chairman, Sam Wange, there were 32 government departments and organisations that came together, put ideas together and work together to acquire state lands in Gerehu stage 3B.Of these departments and organisations, only five departments were nominated to own land titles at Gerehu Stage 3B. Who Will Obtain a Land Title?This would mean that public servants working in those departments would be allowed upon meeting the requirements to secure land titles to offer to the affiliated banks as collaterals to build their own homes through the first home ownership scheme.The Gerehu site has been divided into 1,734 blocks of land but it is anticipated that more land would be further divided for housing development depending on the pilot project.“Land is the biggest problem for Papua New Guineans and for government workers as well as workers in the private sector,” chief executive officer of the Office of Urbanisation, Max Kep said.Mr Kep said the new housing initiative with government agencies coming together and making available parcels of land that has services such as water, power and sewerage could make a lot of difference. He said the land under this scheme would be given to qualified public servants through a raffle system.“The first 500 will be raffled in the next few weeks or so. These are the ones that the bank has already qualified to have bank loans,” he said. Land Title ConditionsAs with other undeveloped state land in the country, settlers have already built permanent houses on the site. But the message from the government to them is very clear.“I ask those people living up there to start vacating the land because this land is owned by the state which will be assigned to the five nominated trustees,” he said.The new K20 million housing scheme will be paired with the first home ownership scheme (FHOS) that the government has with the BSP Bank. Under the FHOS, the government allocated K200 million to the Bank South Pacific for Papua New Guineans to access housing loans at the lower interest rate.However, what has been a challenge for many Papua New Guineans is obtaining secure lands titles to access that loan. For now, the public servants at least will be given better access to this loan through this scheme which will have strong conditions.“People who benefit from it will have to comply with certain conditions meaning that they cannot deal with the land nor sell it. We don’t want people to speculate on it and sell it to another people,” Mr Kep explained.

Are you wanting to live an easy lifestyle that is affordable? Look no further than the Gold Coast, a world-class destination famous for its beaches and relaxed lifestyle.It’s the entertainment capital of Australia. Demand for property is great from investors due to strong economic growth and employment opportunities as a result of many new developments that are being completed.The City of Gold Coast is located approximately 50 minutes south of Brisbane on the East Coast of Australia and stretching over 414km2. With a strong population growing,it is expected to have a 2.2% growth rise annually, making the Gold Coast record the largest population growth by 2021. Coomera, Pimpama and Upper Coomera are the leading suburbs for growth in the new residential estates. If you are still not convinced, there are several reasons why you should invest on the Gold Coast. Here are just a few of the projects currently in the pipeline:$13.5 billion will be invested in major projects in the upcoming years due to the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth GamesGold Coast welcomes additional 12 million visitors to its many hotels and resorts as the entertainment capital of AustraliaCompetitive and affordable at the same timeLeading universities & over 152 schools$345 million casino re-development$2 billion resort and casino plans for the Broadwater$670 million Pacific Fair re-development$200 million airport expansion$1.2 billion cruise ship terminal$750 million Coomera Town CentreThe depth and diversity of these projects means job creation and people moving into the area for employment, therefore providing strong rental returns. Education another key reason people are moving to the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast was ranked in the top 100 cities in the world for university students to live due to it being student friendly due to public transport access. Griffith University (public) was ranked 37th and Bond University (private institution) ranked at 81st. There is also Southern Cross University in Coolangatta along with numerous technical Colleges including TAFE. So, How is Transportation?Transport infrastructure is well serviced on the Gold Coast with the main rail line connection to Brisbane CBD and Brisbane International airport. Transport in and around the Gold Coast in partial to and from Griffith University is very convenient due to the light rail that starts at Griffith located beside the Griffith Gold Coast Hospital and ends at Broadbeach South. Transport to Bond University is easily accessible through the use of the heavy rail and buses. The Gold Coast has had a growth of 5,200 units/apartments approved in the past two years, with affordability in the suburbs of Carrara, Coombabah, Labrador, Nerang, Ormeau, Oxenford and Pacific Pines. These suburbs are ranging from $350,000 to $450,000 with a strong reputation for affordable investments.With fully completed apartments now available at East Quaysn and Coast Broadwater, plus House and Land packages at Pimpama and Coomera in the $450,000 – $500,000 price range. East Quays offers over 60 apartments with a mix of two bedrooms + study, three bedrooms and 3 bedrooms + study apartments. An easy living lifestyle at a waterfront development, with an elegant contemporary design of superior quality, sculptural form and lush gardens. Where to InvestLocated next door to Harbourtown and Harbour Side Markets and only 15 minutes to Surfers Paradise, it is a short drive to Griffith university and Griffith University Hospital. With low body corporate fees, it makes life in East Quays a breeze with a pool, spa, sauna, gym, BBQ facilities, visitors parking, private and secure parking and indoor residents lounge. 2016 is the time to invest in the Gold Coast market, with another range of completed apartments at Coast Broadwater. One and two bedroom apartments with beautiful views over the district and along the Broadwater are now available.Coast Broadwater is located on Marine Parade in Labrador with easy access to schools in Southport and Labrador. With just a short drive to Harbourtown shopping centre and Surfers Paradise, this is the investors dream apartment. Not only have these apartments have just come onto the market, they are stunning inside and have great views overlooking Broadwater.Additionally, to keep up with the fast growing population, the interchange at Exit 54 on the Pacific Highway, Coomera (see picture below) is under re-development to help move traffic increasing with the new Coomera Town Centre. Don’t want to Invest in an Apartment? Choose to Invest in LandNot wanting to invest into an apartment? Then we have house and land that is available in Coomera and Pimpama. This $74.5 million upgrade is on track to be completed by the end of 2016. These properties are easily accessible with the highway close by if you attend work or university in Brisbane. With a new development called Coomera Urban Village this is the perfect time to get the property you’ve been dreaming of. Located on the corner of Foxwell Rd and Finnegan Way, there is dual access with over 37,000 cars passing daily and expected to grow to 46,000 by 2031. Coomera Urban Village is to be a popular living area due to the development of the Coomera Town Centre and only minutes from the Coomera Train Station, and Coomera TAFE Campus. Only 50 minutes by train, this is a central location for students and commuters to Brisbane.2016 is the time to invest in the Gold Coast! It is said by developers, there will be no more land and housing developments left by 2023. Hurry in quick, before time… and land runs out!Click Here to See Australian Properties and Inquire Now!Want to meet the expert Angela Vinnicombe? Write to her HERE!

Learning from customers’ tastes and providing services that best suit their needs is a way towards enhancing the success of a business organisation. This is exactly what all locally owned real estate developer should be doing by offering the most preferred residential property types.For example, Our Real Estate Ltd has been developing and marketing excellent residential houses to cater for the different market needs. The company has advanced well in the real estate industry in developing high quality residential homes including executive duplexes and split level executive houses to offer to the market.It has recently diverted its attention to building more of low and high set standard-alone houses that most of their clients are asking for. Manager for Our Real Estate Ltd., Stanley Naime, revealed that apart from developing and marketing executive duplexes, the company will develop stand-alone houses to differentiate between duplex and the stand-alone houses.“This is because when many of our clients come for inspections, they ask if we have any stand-alone house.”“We learned that the demand for stand-alone houses is very high in the city. To cater for the demand, we will be developing 10-15 stand-alone houses on our project site in the next phase of our property development listings. We have 300 allotments to develop. We are trying to acquire enough land and expand our company into developing more residential as well as commercial properties for lease at very affordable prices,” Mr Naime said.The company had already constructed 12 units in a gated compound at Rainbow Heights in Gerehu. Of those properties, ten units had already been occupied by corporate clients while two units are still awaiting clients to move in. All the units are well designed and maintenance-free unlike other kit homes that require regular maintenance.The internal features of the units are well-designed and come with furnished brown and white goods, tiled ceramic floors, nice air-conditions, spacious kitchen and laundry areas to meet every client needs. The units are not for sale. They are all on rent. The upper units are renting at K1500 per week while the lower units are leasing at K 1200 to K1300 each week depending on the quality of the units.“Market prices depend on the sizes and qualities of the units we have. Our units are of very high quality and they are ideal for corporate clients as our main target market. However, we do not necessarily restrict our properties only to corporate clients. Any client with sound budgets and reputable behavior can occupy the units,” Mr Naime said.Note: Images are for display only.

With the government’s call to provide more affordable housing to cater for the growing number of people in major towns and cities in Papua New Guinea, a leading property developer is determined to develop and lease houses at very affordable prices to meet housing demand in Port Moresby.Glory Development Ltd is a locally established property developer based in Port Moresby. It focuses on developing and leasing out new quality homes that meet the life-style needs of the PNG tenants.According to marketing manager Claire Lee, Glory Development Ltd is looking at developing and leasing out 500 residential units. There are different types of affordable housing catered for middle to high income earners and are made of durable building materials like concrete blocks, ceramic floor tile and aluminium sliding windows.Skyview estate development is divided into different phases. The first phase of the project was already constructed. It has four models including link houses, stand-alone high and low-set houses, stand-alone double storey luxury houses to suit different market needs. All the link houses come with standard amenities such as bathroom basin with cabinet, shower screen, kitchen sink, kitchen cabinet with benchtop and solar heater water system.There are eight link houses in a portion so we have a total of 112 link houses, of which 13 link houses are currently available for lease. Prices of the residential properties range from K400 000 – K700 000 depending on the quality.“We want to help our clients that really need a house. We are offering 10 per cent of the total cost of a unit to secure the property.“All our units are for sale. Any client wishing to purchase one of the units can pay 10 per cent of the total price of a unit as upfront payment and secure the unit. Once all payments are done, we can formally release the property to the buyer. Market prices depend on the sizes and qualities of the units we have. Our units are of very high quality and they are ideal for corporate clients as our main target market. However, we do not necessarily restrict our properties only to corporate clients. Any client with sound budgets and good behaviors can buy the units,” Lee said.It was revealed that apart from constructing the residential homes, Glory Development Ltd will develop a mini town of at 7-Mile’s Skyview Estate.This means all recreational facilities, commercial centres including a market and ATM (automatic teller machine) will be installed, schools and a clinic will be built with other life entertaining services to cater for those who will be buying and occupying the residential houses.Meanwhile, the Glory Development Ltd hinted that it would work closely with the commercial banks to help facilitate the FHOS for any local clients wanting to own a house.“Any PNG client wishing to own a new house through the Government’s housing scheme will have to pay 10 per cent equity to reserve a house so we can send it to the Bank South Pacific (BSP) to further process their loans,” Lee said. Lee said once the loans were approved and processed by BSP, clients can occupy one of the new houses. Under the FHOS, the Government in 2013 made available K200 million with the Bank South Pacific (BSP) for people to borrow and develop their own houses.The BSP criteria in implementing the policy include a minimum loan amount of K200 000, up to 40 years term of loan, fixed interest at 4% per annum, establishment fee of 1% of loan value, 10% equity, evidence of work and state lease title.

Last week, Charles Abel, the Minister of National Planning, announced a fund of K5 million to be used by the NCDC to commence major civil works on the planned housing and land program at Gerehu in Port Moresby. The full program, which is being coordinated by Department of National Planning under the Office of Urbanisation, is set to be launched in partnership with the Department of Lands and Physical Planning, National Housing Corporation, National Research Institute, Magisterial Services and the Civil Registry.Two pilot models are being implemented under this program: Gerehu 3B and Durhan Farm. Both models are expected to create 5700 serviced allotments. This equates to 14.25 per cent of the national target.Gerehu 3B represents the pilot project of the affordable Land and Housing Program embarked upon by the O’Neil/Dion Government. The program intends to make available 40,000 fully serviced land allotments over the next five years. This development program will be facilitated by the Office of Urbanisation.The cheque of K5 million that was presented to NCDC is intended to cover all initial capital necessary for the housing project’s engineering and road works.To date the Government has granted K11 million towards Durhan Farm through the NHC and, thus far, K3 million on Gerehu 3B.Out of the K3 million spent on the Gerehu 3B project, PNG Power and Eda Ranu have each received K1million respectively to begin their work, and another million was given to National Surveyor General to survey 1734 allotments and provide for all necessary titles to be issued.Already 269 public servants, drawing from 31 government departments and agencies, have been prequalified by BSP for up to K58 million worth of loans. These will be released under the first home ownership scheme. The Government has made available K200 million to BSP to issue 40 year repayable loans for citizens.The Government has also provided K1 million to each district administration, where Members and Governors are to reciprocate another K1 million, half a million each from the DSIP and PSIP funds, to build 10 houses per district for each district. This equates to 890 houses across the country.

As we are approaching the half year point, affordability in housing is starting to look promising. Just recently we saw the launch of Gobuta Street Estate, a housing project only 20 minutes from downtown Port Moresby.The development is good news for countless Papua New Guineans out there who are seeking to find not only affordable but quality accommodation.Located at Tokarara in Port Moresby, Gobuta Street Estate is a joint venture between the National Housing Estates Limited (NHEL) and developer Berkeley Capital.Due to Papua New Guinea’s (PNG) chronic housing shortage, Berkeley Capital Asia believes that their Public Private Partnership (PPP) is a small step in the right direction towards alleviating this issue. It is their belief that such a partnership will put the National Housing Commission (NHC) in a more viable financial position to provide social housing.The PNG National Sales Manager of Berkeley Capital stated that the development is about to set a new benchmark in exclusive and secure living.What makes this latest development even more eye-catching is Berkeley Capital’s wealth of experience in construction, project management, cost management, design and architecture, project funding facilitation and corporate structure advice.Put quite simply, they are well versed with the Australian Standard Housing Sub-Division and Australian Standard homes for local buyers here in PNG.As the leading home and land provider in several countries, Berkeley Capital Asia aims to provide homes that are aligned with the housing schemes already available to Papua New Guineans in the companies they work for.“During meetings with NHE it became apparent that there was a lack of this type of home that was accessible for people with access to their company’s Housing Scheme,” commented Reuben Kautu, the PNG Managing Director of Berkeley Capital.The partnership with NHEL has allowed Berkeley Capital to produce affordable home within the price range of K515, 000 – K595, 000. Australian Top Quality at an Affordable Price Of course this price range may be out of reach for some Papua New Guineans but it’s inclusive of a number of extras not seen in your average development.Firstly, the estate comprises of 48 homes each on their own land and all built to Australian Standards whilst even meeting the cyclone ratings of North Queensland builders.Secondly, the homes are also stylish, secure, ready to live in, and in a location that ensures an increase in value for soon-to-be homeowners.Thirdly, Gobuta Street Estate is also unique from other housing developments through its “turnkey” finish.Mr. Kautu explained that this simply means that all a buyer has to do is move their brown goods in at completion.Moreover, everything is included in the price from landscaping and separate laundry to clothes line, oven, cooktop even a dishwasher and a letterbox.As security is an issue of concern among many Papua New Guineans, Gobuta Street Estate has also taken this into account by providing 24hour guards at the entrance gates of the estate.Along with 24hour security and a 2m high fence surrounding the estate, the homes inside will also have their own timber fence of 1.8m.Berkeley Capital’s Development Manager, Mr. Alex Simpson assured that this will be an exclusive estate and the hundreds of thousands of Kina being spent on landscaping will make these homes really stand out.Other possible joint ventures with NHE may be in the pipeline for Berkley Capital but right now it’s baby steps so as to ensure that what is produced is suitable not only financially (and of good Australian quality) but culturally for the people of PNG.With Berkeley Capital’s expertise in both pre-construction and construction, things are already looking on the bright side with over 22 properties sold in 2 weeks during the pre-launch.If you’re interested in Gobuta Street Estate, then visit the properties listed on our website and inquire through the contact agent form.To receive news and updates about New Developments, Free Land Titles News, Real Estate Trends and other programmes to help PNG home buyers, CLICK HERE to receive the Hausples.com.pg Newsletter!

Image: H2OffIt is often said that Papua New Guinea (PNG) is a country with an abundance of natural resource wealth. The development of these resources contributes immensely to the country’s growth in terms of revenue. Resource projects like PNG LNG have already increased PNG’s revenue through its first full year of exporting liquefied natural gas from its $US19 billion plant.More so, these projects have had a positive impact on areas like employment, construction, transport and communication which ultimately signal economic growth. PNG’s economic growth is good news as it means a more tangible focus on infrastructural developments is seen by the people. The development of both existing and new infrastructures means better service delivery for the bulk of Papua New Guineans who live in remote areas. For a country that is home to rugged terrain, there is a dire need for efficient road network systems, wharves and airstrips in order for Papua New Guineans to have access to services.Perhaps a sure sign of PNG heading towards greener pastures in infrastructural developments is the proposed establishment of the Infrastructure Development Authority (IDA). The notion behind IDA is to use profits from the LNG project to both “rehabilitate and maintain” infrastructure, as supported by Sir Mekere Morauta. The proposed establishment of the IDA would prove vital to solving PNG’s infrastructure woes.This effect could be greater if the IDA’s funding comes from sources other than only the Government’s annual budget allocations which might be inadequate to support infrastructural developments. Moreover, the uncertainty as to whether IDA will be involved in the maintenance of existing infrastructure is a hindrance to PNG’s infrastructural development. This grey area needs to be clarified as it would be more logical for IDA to rehabilitate current infrastructure as opposed to investing in new infrastructure that will not incur greater returns. 2015 Pacific Games Pushing Development ForwardAlthough the establishment of the IDA is still underway, it does not mean infrastructural developments are at the bottom of PNG’s priority list. One can already see the facelift PNG is getting in the upkeep of its infrastructure in the nation’s capital of Port Moresby. Huge events like the 2015 Pacific Games have pushed for the development of sporting facilities and stadia namely: Taurama Aquatic Centre, Sir John Guise Stadium, Games Village, Rita Flynn Netball Courts and the Sir Hubert Murray Stadium.Then there is the refurbishment of the Gordon Market, the iconic Pineapple building, Port Moresby General Hospital (POMGEN) and Jackson Domestic and International airports; as well as the development of new infrastructure like the Kookaburra Flyover at Erima and the Convention Centre which is in preparation for the 2018 APEC Summit. Other projects in the pipeline are the Highlands Highway, the expansion of Lae port and the establishment of a four-lane highway which will link the trading heart of Lae to its airport at Nadzab.Furthermore, demand for construction is also on the rise with buildings popping up everywhere. New Developments and Fast Growing Suburbs Leading PNG’s GrowthFor instance, Avenell Engineering Systems’ (AES) construction of the tuberculosis ward at Daru General Hospital, residential dormitories at Port Moresby Technical College and new buildings for the Pacific Adventist College, as reported by Business Advantage. Similarly, the housing sector is progressing with the establishment of projects like Duran Farm, Gobuta Estate and Edai Town  which are all hoped to counteract the high cost of real estate. Other provinces like Milne Bay and East New Britain (ENB) have put great emphasis on maintaining key infrastructures that will ultimately ensure their advancement in terms of business and service delivery to its people.Whilst several development are improving PNG’s growth,  the Government needs to take into consideration infrastructural developments in not just Port Moresby but all other provinces to advance as a nation.Above all, revenues from resource projects like the LNG should be used extensively to fund infrastructural projects and upcoming establishments like the IDA which could prove useful towards aiding development. Infrastructural developments in PNG is key to linking the whole country and achieving growth.To receive news and updates about New Developments, Free Land Titles News, Real Estate Trends and other programmes to help PNG home buyers, CLICK HERE to receive the Hausples.com.pg Newsletter!

The recent figures for the Consumer Price Index in Papua New Guinea show a vertical shift for housing and health industries in the last four months. Since October the health sector has experienced a dramatic growth of 24.1percent in CPI conquering the first position in the Consumer Price Index.Also the Real Estate sector shows a similar and interesting trend with CPI scaling by 14.9 percent. While CPI graph for the health sector literally shows a skyrocket trend from October to December and a gradual increase afterwards, the real estate market CPI shows a steady increase over time.It is interesting to notice that the rise for the health group in its Consumer Price Index was due to the increase in health consultation fees in private hospitals, probably in response to the introduction of new facilities and the need to cover the costs. However, the increase in consultation fees was not the only responsible factor for the general rise of the CPI; as a matter of fact, individual prices of medical products, such as pain killers and antibiotics, have increased substantially leveraging health’s CPI. The Real Estate Market CPI increase reflects with major improvements and new developmentsSimilarly, the real estate market has experienced a strong growth due to Government and private initiatives to restore old buildings and run general maintenance activities. Some of these initiatives include the First Home Ownership Scheme introduced by the Bank of South Pacific, which provides clear guidelines and privileges to first home buyers in order to buy a house. Recently, the O’Neill Government is also working toward giving 40,000 free land titles to public servants and then to working class individuals to push the country toward faster development. One of the most acclaimed and ambitious projects is the Duran farm, which is a major master plan worth K7 million being built just outside of Port Moresby and is expected to provide 2500 houses yearly per contractor. In addition to the housing project, several amenities will be built around Duran Farm, such as schools, hospitals and banks. Papua New Guinea is heading toward exponential growthAll these initiatives have made homes for sale and rent more expensive with owners hoping to close advantageous deals with potential tenants or buyers. As discouraging as it may sound, the increase in rentals and sales might not entirely be a bad news as this means also facility improvements, regular maintenance activities and repair operations along with upcoming new developments in city areas.From these statistics it is reasonable to think that an increase in health and real Estate CPI, respectively by 24.1 and 14.9 percent, is proportionally linked to the introduction of better health care, improved facilities, and a general increase in the standard of lifestyle and security across major cities of Papua New Guinea. To receive news and updates about Free Land Titles initiative and other programmes to help PNG home buyers, CLICK HERE to receive the Hausples.com.pg Newsletter.

As part of its promise to ease Papua New Guinea’s chronic land shortage the O’Neill government has announced a stunning plan to give away 2,000 free PNG land titles in every province of the country. 2014 was a positive year for potential PNG homeowners with the establishment of the First Home Ownership Loan Scheme (FHOS) to assist people to obtain a home loan at an attractive rate. Whilst the FHOS was a welcome initiative, the requirement that a borrower supply a land title as security for the loan has meant that many ordinary citizens have been unable to secure funding. Thus, as good as the FHOS is, it’s clear it was excluding a major portion of the population, in particular those families who did not own any land and, as a consequence, could not apply for a loan without being able to provide a security asset. Free PNG Land Titles will be given to ordinary citizens In 2015 the Government has identified the problem and has come up with a stunning solution that may change many lives and probably improve the economy and wealth of the country. According to the Planning Minister Charles Abel the Papua New Guinea Government will provide 2,000 free PNG land titles to citizens to build affordable houses in each of PNG’s provinces. The programme is aimed at working class people and not the wealthy. The pilot for this ambitious project will start in Port Moresby where Mr Abel says the government has identified land close to Jackson International Airport which the National Airport Corporation has committed to being made available. Following the Port Moresby pilot allocation, the city of Lae will have 2000 titles made available near the Nadzab airport. Free PNG Land Titles will lead to Housing The free land title allocation forms one part of a broader scheme where every single one of the 89 districts in the country would receive approximately K1 million to construct 10 houses for the local public servants. Mr. Able said, “We are giving every district K1 million to build public service housing.” The idea is to start the project first by providing housing for public servants. Once this has been completed, the next step will be to extend the project into the private sector. Mr. Abel, who serves as the chairman of the Ministerial Committee on Affordable Land and Housing, emphasized that the purpose of this initiative was to help average working class citizens and Papua New Guinea build homes. Its focus was not to give additional land to well-off individuals who are already homeowners and who can easily apply for a loan. PNG Land Titles will secure citizens to access the First Home Ownership Scheme Prime Minister Peter O’Neill has taken the first steps in getting this program up and running by depositing K200 million into the Bank of South Pacific to support the FHOS. The next step is to distribute the free PNG land titles to the population so that they can provide a security for receiving a loan and eventually build a house. Prime Minister O’Neill realizes that several steps must be followed to get the free PNG land titles into the hands of ordinary people. Once this has happened, ordinary citizens can go to the banks and secure a loan because they have their title as security. The project is expected to provide the citizens of Papua New Guinea the ability to purchase a home for K150,000 and repay the loan over 40 years with a very low rate of interest. Stay informed about this programme and the first home ownership loan scheme!To receive news and updates about Free Land Titles initiative and other programmes to help PNG home buyers, CLICK HERE to receive the Hausples.com.pg Newsletter.

The spread of settlements continue to be an issue for those who dwell within major cities like Port Moresby. To many, they are treated with caution and labelled as an eyesore. However, what many of us continue to overlook is the fact that settlements accommodate countless Papua New Guineans who cannot afford to rent or buy properties of their own.One such group of people who are to this day still being compelled to live in settlements is the public servants of Papua New Guinea (PNG). It may come as a surprise as to how numerous public servants have resorted to living in such illegal “establishments”.Yet this is the blatant reality of PNG’s recurring affordable housing challenge where almost if not all Papua New Guineans are not able to meet the PNG Real Estate Industry’s accommodation rates. The rates at which properties are put up for lease or sale are ludicrous to the extent where the fortnightly salary of an ordinary Papua New Guinean cannot cater for half the cost of renting. Hence, a myriad of Papua New Guineans are left with no other alternative but to live in settlements. PNG Public Servants and National Housing Estates Limited affordable housing initiativesAccording to Wera Dirua, the Estates Manager of the National Housing Estates Limited (NHEL), the high rental prices are forcing many public servants live in settlements. “It’s very difficult now to find affordable accommodation because the ICCC cannot control the real estate market…”  explained Dirua.The NHEL, a subsidiary of the National Housing Corporation (NHC), is starting to tackle PNG’s chronic housing problem via its plans of upgrading and building living quarters for the multitude of public servants struggling to find accommodation.“Most of them [public servants] are going back to the squatter settlements and we are trying to address this. We believe that public servants are a government entity who drives the economy of our country. They must have a good place to sleep, eat and find comfort so that they are more productive. That is why our company [NHEL] is focused on making housing more affordable for Papua New Guineans in the next 20 to 30 years,” said Dirua. Dirua, however, mentioned that PNG’s dilemma of lack of housing will not be solved overnight. Rather, it will take time and the availability of resources and funding to alleviate the issue. Dirua stated that it’s the NHEL’s main aim to build 10, 000 houses in the next 5 years so that people in need will be able to move out from squatter settlements and he remains adamant that the NHEL will achieve its primary objective of creating more housing. Duran Farm, Edai Town and the First Home Ownership SchemeIn a sign that both the public and private sectors are starting to tackle PNG’s affordable housing shortage head-on, a number of significant initiatives have been launched this year including the Duran Farm Housing Development near Lae, the Edai Town Development in Port Moresby and the PNG First Home Ownership Scheme Loans.For NHEL’s part, the launching of the Duran Farm Housing Development, a major housing master plan that’s worth K7 million, is step toward alleviating some of the settlements near Lae. In addition, the housing development at Edai Town approximately 20 kilometres form Port Moresby offers moderately prices homes starting at K168,000.Still Diru warns that should nothing be done to combat PNG’s housing settlement issue, this could lead to even more squatters settlements. “People are struggling to live especially in a city like Port Moresby that is becoming the centre of PNG. It’s developing at a fast rate due to the LNG and other projects. If we don’t do anything now, squatters settlements will pop up like mushrooms all over the place.” In all though, Dirua is optimistic that the NHEL will be able to turn things around for PNG’s housing industry so that Papua New Guineans can enjoy their right to a decent yet affordable home. Register your interest in affordable housing now!If you want to be kept informed of new affordable housing initiatives in PNG Click Here and submit your details. If you want to register your interest in the PNG First Home Ownership Loan Scheme Click Here.  Copyright Hausples.com.pg, article by Pauline Mago-King

In light of Papua New Guinea’s dilemma of housing shortage, the National Housing Corporation (NHC) recently launched a social housing program called the Duran Farm. The Duran Farm project is the NHC’s pragmatic step towards curbing the lingering lack in housing for public servants and residents. NHC’s great initiative would mean that the bulk of Papua New Guineans forced to live in settlements and second-rate housings will not have to settle for less any longer. A major housing master plan that is worth K7 million, Duran Farm is located on Portion 528 near 8 Mile which is just outside of Port Moresby. It is expected to deliver 2500 houses yearly per contractor. Apart from the construction of these houses, there will also be the creation of various amenities like schools, clinics, hotels, shops, banks and a fire station. Duran Farm is the first urban development lease where underdeveloped land will be completely obtained by the NHC and the Housing Department. Furthermore, what makes it even more unique is that the total cost of development will not be incurred by the end user. Not only is Duran Farm a beacon for countless Papua New Guineans struggling to find affordable accommodation but it is also an indicator of housing development finally reaching Papua New Guinea’s shores.  Construction of Duran Farm is set to commence once a tender notice is posted by the Central Supplies and Tender Board. So far there are 106 successful applicants who have been submitted to the National Development Bank (NDB). Although Duran Farm will bring about housing development for Papua New Guinea, it will not ultimately alleviate the NHC’s current predicament of finding means to accommodate public servants. Since most of Papua New Guinean land is customarily owned, this poses a problem for any form of housing development like Duran Farm. Being located on land that is customarily owned, Duran Farm project is already facing threats from the landowner. Landowner, Ogoni Dabunari Land Group of Baruni Village has already warned that the multimillion project will not progress if it is not sufficiently compensated. As a result of this, it is important that the Government insure that housing development is carried out on land without any customary ties, preferably State land. Yet this is not the case for Duran Farm and so it is up to the Government to ensure that it proceeds without any hiccups as the project has drawn a lot of interests from both the private and public sectors. Copyright Hausples.com.pg, article by Pauline Mago-KingFollow Hausples.com.pg to read more news!