Housing and jobs bonanza: 1400 jobs building new homes for Queenslanders

The Palaszczuk Government’s key housing construction initiative has reached a major milestone well ahead of schedule, commencing construction of 1,500 homes and supporting almost 1,400 additional jobs across Queensland.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said that Queenslanders building homes for Queenslanders, through the Housing Construction Jobs Program, was crucial to ensuring that everyone had a safe, secure and sustainable place to call home.

“Labor is building an additional 5,500 homes across Queensland, working in partnership with industry and community housing providers to create more social housing in high-growth areas.

“It also creates a pipeline of development opportunities and creates more jobs for Queenslanders working in the construction sector, and more jobs right through the building supply chain.”

Visiting the recently completed block of 18 two-bedroom units in Southport this morning, Mr de Brenni said the need for affordable housing was growing across the Gold Coast.

Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said these homes were just some of the 101 housing projects the Palaszczuk Government had commenced on the Gold Coast in the last year alone, supporting 130 jobs.

“This is in stark contrast to the LNP who, during the Newman Government’s time in office, didn’t build a single home on the Gold Coast,” Ms Scanlon said.

Mr de Brenni said the Housing Construction Jobs Program was delivering on Labor’s commitment to provide stable homes, so Queenslanders in need of a helping hand could focus on success in the fields of employment, family and health.

“We are well on track to deliver on our target of awarding contracts for the commencement of more than 2000 homes by mid-2020,” he said.

“To date, we have supported almost 1,400 jobs across the state in the construction of homes – jobs for builders, carpenters, electricians, concreters, plumbers, floor layers, glaziers and cabinet-makers and, importantly, for apprentices too.”

Mr de Brenni said that the Palaszczuk Government’s Housing Strategy was also assisting low-income Queenslanders to access or remain in the private market.

“With the cost of living increasing and wage growth stalling, last year the Palaszczuk Government stepped in to support 200,000 families access or remain in private rentals across the state.”

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