The South Australian Government has announced up to 18 projects under the Better Neighbourhoods Program are to be brought forward in a bid to assist the state’s small-to-medium sized civil engineering and construction companies.

State Minister for Housing and Urban Development, Tom Koutsantonis, said that the $23.6 million worth of projects will be targeted towards the construction 170 dwellings and will be brought forward with the intention of awarding the first tenders by July.

“The Better Neighbourhoods Program has been running successfully since 2002 and has already assisted the renewal of suburbs across metropolitan Adelaide,” Mr Koutsantonis said.

“All of this supports the State Government’s strategic priorities for safe communities, healthy neighbourhoods and an affordable place to live.”

The initiative aims to not only improve the social mix, but provide an opportunity to upgrade streets and neighbourhood facilities.

New homes will replace ageing social housing stock with more modern and appropriate forms of housing on reconfigured allotments.