- More than $52 million to fast track over 4,700 new homes in Bundaberg to help repair Labor’s Housing Crisis.
- Residential Activation Fund has unlocked more than 141,000 places to call home for Queenslanders in less than 18 months.
- New quarterly data reveals record 50,000 homes under construction in Queensland for the first time on record.
- The Crisafulli Government is building Queensland’s future with 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 continuing to unlock housing supply quickly across Queensland, with the next round of the Residential Activation Fund further fast tracking more than 4,700 new homes in the Bundaberg region.
As part of Round 2 of the Residential Activation Fund, the Crisafulli Government is investing more than $52 million in three projects that will deliver the critical trunk infrastructure needed to unlock land for residential development, helping deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders.
These three projects benefitted from funding under Round 1 of the Residential Activation Fund to undertake crucial planning work, with the additional funding now ensuring what’s on paper translates into pavement.
More than $38 million will be invested to deliver major road, water and sewer upgrades to 3.6km of Back Windermere Road.
Over $9.4 million in additional funding will support the construction of a new 2.8km water main, sewer pump station to support further residential development in Elliott Heads.
In Ashfield, an additional $4.7 million will fund upgrades to local sewer pump stations.
The Residential Activation Fund is a key pillar of the Crisafulli Government’s plan to unlock housing supply by investing in enabling infrastructure that brings forward new residential development across Queensland.
The award-winning Residential Activation Fund has now unlocked capacity for more than 141,000 homes statewide, helping deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders.
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 Crisafulli Government’s commitment to building Queensland’s future with a place to call home for more Queenslanders.
“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.
“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 three projects will unlock more than 4,700 extra places to call home for Queenslanders while supporting growing communities in and around Bundaberg, and demonstrate what’s possible when government partners with councils, landowners and developers to remove barriers to housing.
“In less than 18 months, the Crisafulli Government has already unlocked more than 141,000 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 Burnett Stephen Bennett said the additional funding from the Residential Activation Fund would continue to support the growing region.
“After a decade of Labor failing to plan for our region’s growth, the Crisafulli Government is investing in the infrastructure needed to unlock more homes and support growing communities,” Mr Bennett said
“These critical upgrades will be the backbone for further development in the region, ensuring there are more places to call home for Queenslanders.
“This is exactly what the Residential Activation Fund is designed to do and what the community has been calling out for – we are getting on with removing infrastructure barriers to deliver better communities and get more Queenslanders into their own home.”
Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Helen Blackburn said the Residential Activation Fund was a demonstration of the power of state and local governments and the industry working together to deliver meaningful housing outcomes.
“Funding through the Queensland Government’s Residential Activation Fund has been critical in assisting Council unlock new housing opportunities to ensure we can continue to accommodate our growing population,” Ms Blackburn said.
“The delivery of essential infrastructure is often one of the biggest barriers to bringing new housing stock to market. This funding provides practical support to accelerate development and create the conditions needed for more homes to be built sooner.
“Council is committed to working proactively to address housing availability and affordability challenges. Initiatives such as the Residential Activation Fund play a pivotal role in ensuring local governments have the tools and resources required to support sustainable growth.”
Southbeach Development Director John Manera said the Residential Activation Fund was a strong signal of support for the region.
“Delivering new housing starts with delivering the infrastructure that supports it and this investment gives us the certainty to bring forward 250 new homes within the next 2 years and over 2,000 new homes in the longer term for local families.
“RAF funding will provide essential water and sewerage infrastructure for the Burnett coast which is long overdue, and which will really unlock residential housing between Bargara and Elliott Heads over the short to medium term.
“By partnering with government, we can accelerate development and help meet the growing demand for homes across the Bundaberg region.”
