- More than $55 million in funding to fast track an additional 2,899 new homes in Central Queensland.
- Residential Activation Fund has now unlocked more than 166,000 places to call home for Queenslanders.
- The Crisafulli Government is building Queensland’s future and delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders, after a decade of decline under Labor saw Queenslanders locked out of the housing market as vacancy rates plummeted to record-lows.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders and continuing to unlock housing supply quickly across the State, with the next round of the Residential Activation Fund (RAF) further fast tracking 2,899 new homes in Central Queensland.
The Crisafulli Government has announced it will invest $55.5 million in four projects that will deliver the critical trunk infrastructure needed to unlock land for residential development.
The projects will deliver major water, road and sewer infrastructure upgrades needed to support new residential development across four communities, including Gracemere, Taroomball, Hidden Valley and Theodore.
The investments include:
- More than $7.5 million to replace the Rahima Court Sewage Pump Station at Gracemere, increasing the capacity of the local sewerage network.
- Nearly $15.5 million in trunk road infrastructure for the Taroomball Residential Precinct, to construct Chandler Road West between Tanby Road and Carige Boulevard, including a flood-capable crossing over Ross Creek, and upgrade the intersection with Tanby Road and extend Carige Boulevard to connect with Chandler Road West.
- More than $24.6 million in trunk and essential infrastructure at The Pines in Hidden Valley to deliver new connector roads, trunk water and sewer mains, a sewer pump station and stormwater infrastructure, together with electrical and telecommunications services.
- More than $7.9 million to upgrade the Theodore Water Treatment Plant to deliver a new water treatment, clear-water storage, clear-water pumping systems and associated infrastructure.
The Residential Activation Fund is a key pillar of the Crisafulli Government’s plan to build Queensland’s future and unlock housing supply by investing in enabling infrastructure that brings forward new residential development across the State.
The award-winning program has now unlocked capacity for more than 166,000 homes statewide, helping deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders.
This latest investment brings the total funding from the Residential Activation Fund to more than $87 million for Central Queensland, helping unlock around 7,000 homes.
The Residential Activation Fund is just one of the Crisafulli Government’s range of initiatives delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders, including:
- More than $2 billion in joint Federal and State funding to unlock 51,000 homes, including 20,000 for first home buyers.
- Releasing underutilised State land for housing under the landmark Land Activation Program.
- Relief for first homeowners with $30,000 First Home Owner Grants continuing and locked into the Budget.
- Supporting first home buyers by removing stamp duty on new builds.
- Introducing a nation-leading Boost to Buy shared equity scheme to help reduce the deposit gap, with half of the up to 2,000 places reserved for regional Queenslanders.
- Increasing rental availability by lifting subletting restrictions for homebuyers receiving grants and concessions.
- Delivering 1 million homes, including a record pipeline of 53,500 social and community homes by 2044.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the investment was a clear demonstration of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to building Queensland’s future.
“The Crisafulli Government’s Residential Activation Fund is pulling every lever to increase housing supply, because you can’t build homes without the roads, water and sewerage infrastructure to support them,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“After a decade of decline under Labor, we’re getting on with the job of delivering the infrastructure needed to unlock new housing opportunities across the State.
“These four projects will unlock more than 2,899 places to call home for Queenslanders while supporting growing communities across Central Queensland, and demonstrate what’s possible when government partners with councils, landowners and developers to remove barriers to housing.
“The Crisafulli Government has already unlocked more than 166,000 new places to call home through the Residential Activation Fund after Labor’s decade of decline, which saw housing lot approvals slump by 29 per cent, leading to record-low rental vacancy rates, a skyrocketing social housing waitlist and the lowest home ownership rate in the country.
“Availability equals affordability and by ensuring supply is unlocked, while also delivering a record number of social and affordable homes and support for first homebuyers, we’re delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders, and the fresh start we promised them.”
Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland said the investment would help unlock new housing while supporting Rockhampton’s continued growth.
“Rockhampton is growing, and we need to make sure housing supply keeps pace with that growth and this investment in the Rahima Court Sewage Pump Station will unlock new opportunities for housing in Gracemere, while strengthening the infrastructure local families and businesses rely on,” Ms Kirkland said.
“After years of Labor failing to keep up with Queensland’s growth, the Crisafulli Government is working with councils and the development industry to get the infrastructure in place and get more homes built.”
Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton said the investment would unlock significant new housing opportunities in Taroomball and Hidden Valley.
“These communities are at the heart of the Capricorn Coast’s growth, and this investment will help make sure that growth can continue,” Mr Hutton said.
“Delivering for regional Queensland looks like building the infrastructure we need today so more Queenslanders can find a home tomorrow.”
Member for Callide Bryson Head said the investment in Theodore would strengthen local infrastructure and support future housing opportunities.
“Regional Queensland deserves the same focus on housing supply and infrastructure as our major cities, and this investment delivers exactly that,” Mr Head said.
“Upgrading the Theodore Water Treatment Plant will provide the capacity needed to support future residential development and give this community the infrastructure it needs to grow.”
Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said the investment would deliver critical infrastructure to support continued residential growth in Gracemere.
“This project will help unlock housing opportunities for more than 1,000 future homes in Gracemere,” Mayor Williams said.
“As our population grows, it’s critical supporting infrastructure keeps pace.”
Livingstone Shire Council Mayor Adam Belot said the investment was another major step towards unlocking new housing and ensuring critical infrastructure keeps pace with the Capricorn Coast’s continued growth.
“The Capricorn Coast continues to attract families, workers and investment, and getting the infrastructure in place to unlock more housing is critical to ensuring we grow in a planned and sustainable way,” Mayor Belot said.
“This investment shows what can be achieved when all levels of government work together – delivering the infrastructure our community needs now, while creating the foundations for a connected, liveable and prosperous Capricorn Coast into the future.”
Banana Shire Council Mayor Nev Ferrier said the Theodore investment would provide important infrastructure for the community and support future residential growth.
“Reliable water infrastructure is fundamental to the future growth of any community, and this upgrade will provide Theodore with greater capacity for the years ahead,” Mayor Ferrier said.
“The new infrastructure will help support residential development and ensure Theodore is well placed to accommodate future growth.”
Wilgrow Properties Engineering Director Kym Wilkinson said the Pines at Hidden Valley had taken years of planning and significant capital to reach a shovel-ready position due to trunk infrastructure constraints.
“The one piece we could not carry on our own was the trunk infrastructure, but the Crisafulli Government’s Residential Activation Fund covers the connector roads, the trunk water and sewer, the pump station and the stormwater works.
“That brings our delivery forward by up to 10 years and Capricorn Coast families will see lots come to market when they need them, not a decade from now.”
