- Residential Activation Fund has unlocked more than 100,000 homes for Queenslanders in less than 18 months.
- $146 million in funding will fast-track more than 18,900 homes on the Gold Coast – the first projects funded under the second round of the Residential Activation Fund.
- 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’s award-winning Residential Activation Fund has cracked a major milestone, unlocking more than 100,000 places to call home for Queenslanders in less than 18 months.
The next round of the Residential Activation Fund will fast-track more than 18,900 homes on the Gold Coast with a $146 million investment across multiple projects, bringing the total number of homes unlocked to more than 100,000.
Spread across three projects that will service new developments in Worongary, Robina, Pimpama, Coomera, Upper Coomera and Parkwood, the funding will fast-track critical trunk infrastructure including a major upgrade of the Merrimac Sewage Treatment Plant as well as other sewage, road and electrical works.
The number of fast-tracked and unlocked places to call home under the Residential Activation Fund has now rocketed past 100,000 in less than 18 months since the initiative’s launch, with thousands more to come as further funding is rolled out soon.
The Residential Activation Fund helps ensure essential infrastructure like water, sewerage, roads and power is in place to unlock more land to support growing communities, which allows homes to be built and moved into faster.
Following the success of round one, which unlocked more than 98,000 homes across the State, and overwhelming interest by Councils and industry, the next round of the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund was fast-tracked, doubling round two to $1 billion in the Crisafulli Government’s recent budget.
The second round continues to ensure regional Queensland benefits, with at least half of the funding to be allocated to projects in rural and regional Queensland.
The award-winning initiative is a key part of the Crisafulli Government’s Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan to deliver one million new homes by 2044.
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 locked into the Budget for four years.
- 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.
- Increasing rental availability by lifting subletting restrictions.
- Delivering 1 million homes, including a record pipeline of 53,500 social and community homes by 2044.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Planning and Infrastructure said the major milestone was a clear demonstration of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to building Queensland’s future with a place to call home for more Queenslanders.
“For too long, the dream of having a place of your own was denied to too many Queenslanders. We’re playing our part to help make that dream a reality again,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“One of the best ways we can tackle Labor’s Housing Crisis is to unlock land supply and break down barriers that have been holding back councils and the industry, and in turn the keys to Queenslanders’ front doors.
“In less than 18 months, the Crisafulli Government has unlocked more than 100,000 new places to call home 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.”
Gold Coast Acting Mayor Mark Hammel said the funding would enable critical infrastructure to progress.
“This is the most significant amount of state funding the Gold Coast has received for critical City-owned infrastructure in decades,” Acting Mayor Hammel said.
“Support also for our Sewer Pump Station Upgrade project will see the City make significant improvements in our efficiencies and delivery of these services in key growth areas.
“As the Gold Coast’s population grows towards one million by 2040, It is vital we’re making the investments today to future-proof our infrastructure.”
Local Government Association of Queensland CEO Alison Smith said the success of the Residential Activation Fund proved it was essential in supporting industry and helping councils meet a crucial funding gap.
“Funding for enabling infrastructure is a critical piece of the housing supply puzzle and RAF has supported councils large and small across the state to help fill the infrastructure funding gap and unlock new homes,” Ms Smith said.
“This program is a great example of what happens when two levels of government work together to achieve a shared goal. It truly has been a gamechanger, and we look forward to working with the State Government on what comes next.”
Minister for Finance, Trade, Employment and Training and Member for Mudgeeraba Ros Bates said the major sewage treatment plant upgrade would help support her area’s growing community.
“The Gold Coast is an incredible place to live, so it’s no surprise it’s growing so quickly, and we’re making sure the infrastructure’s in place to support our population boom,” Minister Bates said.
“The Crisafulli Government’s Residential Activation Fund is providing the critical backbone that’s needed to turn land into homes.”
Minister for Housing and Public Works, Minister for Youth and Member for Bonney Sam O’Connor said the Crisafulli Government was pulling every lever it could to address a decade of decline.
“Our number one priority is increasing all types of housing supply and in just 18 months, we’ve seen fast and meaningful steps to deliver more homes here on the Gold Coast and across Queensland,” Minister O’Connor said.
“After a decade under Labor where housing supply went nowhere near keeping pace with demand, the Crisafulli Government is getting on with the job of delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders.”
Member for Coomera Michael Crandon said funding trunk infrastructure would fast track homes in his electorate.
“The Gold Coast and particularly the northern Gold Coast is continuing to grow at a rapid pace, and the Crisafulli Government is pulling every lever it can to ease Labor’s Housing Crisis,” Mr Crandon said.
“Getting the infrastructure in quicker means the homes get built faster.”
