- More than $44.5 million in funding to fast track more than 7,200 new homes in the Mackay Region.
- Residential Activation Fund has now unlocked more than 174,000 places to call home for Queenslanders.
- The Crisafulli Government is building Queensland’s future 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 Residential Activation Fund unlocking more than 7,200 new homes in Mackay and Sarina.
The Crisafulli Government will invest $44.5 million for two projects to deliver critical trunk infrastructure, unlocking land for residential development and helping deliver a place to call home for more Mackay and Sarina residents.
In Mackay, $12.1 million will support upgrades to the Nebo Road Water Treatment Plant, to increase the plant’s capacity, helping ensure essential water infrastructure can keep pace with new housing and the region’s future growth. The project will unlock more than 6,350 homes.
In Sarina, $32.4 million will be invested for the delivery of stormwater infrastructure, a new sewer pump station and sewer mains, a water main upgrade, electrical infrastructure, new roads, and roundabout. The project will unlock more than 890 homes.
Together with today’s announcement, the Crisafulli Government has invested more than $70 million in trunk infrastructure through the Residential Activation Fund across Mackay, Sarina, Marian, Mirani, Beaconsfield and Rural View.
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 program has now unlocked more than 174,000 homes state-wide, 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 the 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,” 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.
“This project will unlock more than 7,200 places to call home for Queenslanders and support the growing Mackay Region. This investment demonstrates what’s possible when government partners with councils, landowners and industry to remove barriers to new housing.
“The Crisafulli Government has already unlocked more than 174,000 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.
“More affordable housing starts with more supply. 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.”
Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the investment would help unlock new housing while supporting the region’s continued growth.
“Mackay continues to grow, and we need to make sure housing supply keeps pace with that growth, and this investment will unlock new opportunities for housing in the region, while strengthening the infrastructure local families and businesses rely on,” Mr Dalton said.
“After years of Labor failing to keep up with Queensland’s growth, the Crisafulli Government is working with councils and industry to get the infrastructure in place and get more homes built.”
Member for Mirani Glen Kelly said the Crossing Estate was a positive step forward for Sarina, supporting the growing community while delivering practical benefits for local families.
“Regional Queensland deserves its fair share of investment, and that’s exactly what the Crisafulli Government is delivering by removing the barriers that have held back housing growth during Labor’s decade of decline.
“One of the most significant outcomes of this development is helping resolve the longstanding issue of access to the Sarina Showgrounds, something our community has been seeking a solution to for many years.
“This is about creating more opportunities for families to build a home and a future in Sarina, while supporting local businesses, jobs and future investment.”
Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said the upgrade would modernise one of the most critical parts of Mackay’s water network, improving reliability, reducing the risk of service interruptions and ensuring Council could continue to meet the needs of the growing community.
“The investment into the Clarifier Upgrade will strengthen drinking water quality, increase treatment capacity and improve resilience during extreme weather events, helping secure safe and reliable water services for Mackay well into the future,” Mayor Williamson said.
Certainty Wealth Managing Director Damien Gwynne said getting the right infrastructure in place was critical to delivering more homes, and this project demonstrated what could be achieved when government and industry worked together towards a shared goal.
“We thank the Crisafulli Government for its support and investment in the infrastructure needed to unlock these homes. Without that support, this project would not be possible,” Mr Gwynne said.
“This is a significant investment in Sarina’s future, helping create more housing choice for families and ensuring our region can continue to grow.”
