About a quarter of those applications have so far been approved.

There was a rush for the generous scheme in April which operates on a voucher system, with home owners receiving either a voucher worth $4000 if they contribute at least $1000 of their own money, or a voucher worth $6000 if they contribute at least $2000 of their own money.

Across the Territory, the top three most popular improvements approved under HIS are - air conditioning upgrades; painting or electrical upgrades.

More than 6258 Home Improvement Scheme Vouchers have hit the construction sector equating to over $50 million in the value of approved works.

In Katherine, the scheme received 542 applications and 132 of them have been approved so far.

There has been criticism the approval process is taking too long.

With a good spread of works, numerous trades, Territory jobs and local businesses are being supported.

The HIS, which has proved to be one of the most popular scheme to date, provided homeowner and landlords with generous co-contribution grants to use in the upgrading of their residence.

Chief Minister Michael Gunner said: "When you spend a dollar in the Territory, you help save a Territory job.

"Our tradies now have a massive pipeline of work. But we want that work to last, so the benefits for the rest economy can last as well."

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