- Crisafulli Government delivers $5 million to support affordable retirement living in Blackall.
- Funding will help deliver new two-bedroom independent living homes at Barcoo Community Village, helping older Queenslanders stay close to family, friends and support networks.
- The Crisafulli Government is building Queensland a plan for 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 supporting a 45-year community vision in outback Queensland to ensure more older residents can continue to live in the town they call home.
After years of community concerns being ignored by Labor, $5 million in funding will help expand the Barcoo Community Village in Blackall.
The expansion will include new two-bedroom independent living homes in the Central Western Queensland town, responding to strong local demand for retirement accommodation in the region.
The Barcoo and Blackall-Tambo region has a significantly older population than the rest of Queensland, with 25 per cent of residents aged 65 and over, compared to the 17 per cent State average.
The new affordable retirement homes will provide affordable independent living options for local retirees, helping them stay close to family, friends and support networks while continuing a legacy of community-driven care.
Construction on the project is due to start early 2027, with completion expected by 2028.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the project demonstrated the impact of government working alongside communities to deliver locally driven housing solutions.
“This is a wonderful example of a community identifying a need, rolling up its sleeves and working towards a solution for more than 40 years,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“Despite being ignored by Labor for a decade, the people of Blackall have shown extraordinary commitment to ensuring older residents can continue living in the community they love, surrounded by family, friends and familiar faces.
“This investment will help ensure more older residents can remain in Blackall while also freeing up larger homes for families and workers, providing benefits across the community.
“By partnering with communities, we can unlock more places to call home where it’s needed most.”
Member for Gregory Sean Dillon said the funding would ensure more locals could stay local.
“Rural Queenslanders deserve a place to call home that reflects the needs of local communities, and that’s exactly what this project delivers,” Mr Dillon said.
“Thanks to the Crisafulli Government’s investment, more older residents will be able to continue to call their hometown, home.
“I’m proud to have supported Barcoo Community Village in progressing this project and look forward to seeing construction get underway.”
Barcoo Community Village President Ian Walker said the investment was building on more than four decades of community effort to support local aged care and housing needs as demand for retirement living grew.
“This project represents the hopes and hard work of generations of local people who believed older residents should be able to stay in Blackall as they age,” Mr Walker said.
“There is strong demand for these homes, with local people wanting to remain close to their families, friends and community connections.
“Being able to retire in the town you’ve spent your life helping build is incredibly important, particularly in rural communities like ours.”
