- The Crisafulli Government is pulling every lever to unlock land for housing after a decade of housing failures under Labor.
- Residential Activation Fund projects are fast-tracking critical infrastructure to deliver more places to call home.
- Round Two of the landmark $2 billion Residential Activation Fund to be doubled from $500 million to $1 billion following the success of Round One.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering on its commitment to boost housing supply and address Labor’s Housing Crisis, with a major Residential Activation Fund project now underway south of Yeppoon.
Supported by a $25 million investment through the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund, the project will deliver critical trunk infrastructure to accelerate land availability and unlock 1500 homes in the Hidden Valley Residential Precinct.
Construction commenced today on the East West Connector Road – Stage 1 which will link the precinct to the main Yeppoon-Rockhampton Road.
Work is also underway on $4.3 million of road connection upgrades, including lights and traffic signage, as well as stormwater infrastructure to support the Living Gems Rockhampton Retirement Village development in Parkhurst and unlock more than 500 new homes.
The $2 billion Residential Activation Fund is a major component of the Crisafulli Government’s Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan, ensuring essential infrastructure is in place so communities can properly plan for growth.
Today’s local milestone comes as the Crisafulli Government announced the next round of the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund would be doubled from $500 million to $1 billion, following the success of Round One and overwhelming interest by Councils and industry.
It is now the second time Residential Activation Fund has been doubled to cater to demand for the enabling infrastructure and the new homes it delivers, fast-tracking land for new housing in regional Queensland.
The Residential Activation Fund has already unlocked more than 98,000 homes across 98 projects throughout the State, with thousands more homes now slated to get underway soon to address Labor’s Housing Crisis.
The Crisafulli Government received even more submissions for Round Two – 209 submissions, with 73 in South East Queensland and 136 from regional, rural and remote Queensland.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said after a decade of Labor’s housing failures, the Crisafulli Government was pulling every lever available to unlock land and get more homes built for Queenslanders.
“Labor left Queensland with a housing crisis, declining housing approvals and too many shovel-ready developments stuck waiting for infrastructure,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“The Crisafulli Government is changing that by investing in the roads, water, sewerage and drainage infrastructure needed to unlock new housing and support growing communities.
“This project is proof that our Residential Activation Fund is delivering real outcomes on the ground and helping deliver a place to call home for more Central Queenslanders.
“Unlike Labor, we are working hand-in-hand with councils and industry to remove barriers to development and ensure regional Queensland has a strong pipeline of new housing for years to come.”
Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton said as the region welcomed new housing and families, the Crisafulli Government was delivering funding to ensure proper planning and critical trunk infrastructure was front and centre to protect the lifestyle of local residents and properly plan for growth.
“Through our landmark $2 billion Residential Activation Fund, we are getting shovels in the ground and delivering critical infrastructure for Central Queensland,” Mr Hutton said.
“Supporting our local government to deliver the infrastructure needed to unlock new housing, we are putting planning first, something this region has not seen under the previous Labor Government.”
Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland said the Crisafulli Government’s Residential Activation Fund would unlock much-needed new housing supply in Central Queensland.
“This $4.3 million investment in Central Queensland will unlock a further 500 new homes for the Rockhampton Region and shows just how serious the Crisafulli Government is about fixing Labor’s Housing Crisis,” Ms Kirkland said.
“After a decade of decline under Labor the Crisafulli Government is unlocking new housing supply and addressing housing challenges head-on.”
Member for Mirani Glen Kelly said by investing in critical trunk infrastructure, the Crisafulli Government was unlocking land for future housing, supporting population growth and creating stronger regional communities.
“Regional Queensland is the engine room of our state’s economy, and the Crisafulli Government is making sure regional communities are not left behind when it comes to housing and infrastructure investment,” Mr Kelly said.
“This is a practical investment that delivers lasting benefits for regional Queensland and helps secure our future.”
Livingstone Shire Mayor Adam Belot said the East West Connector would be a game-changer for connectivity across the region.
“The start of construction on Stage 1 of the East West Connector project is a landmark for both better transportation across the region and for local housing supply,” Mayor Belot said.
“Once complete, this vital infrastructure will provide an essential link between the Hidden Valley precinct and Roslyn Bay Boat Harbour, reducing congestion on Tanby Road and improving connections along coastal roadways between Yeppoon and Emu Park.
“Our first Development Application in the precinct under the TLPI, delivering 300 homesites, has now been lodged. We expect construction to commence in early 2027, marking the beginning of a 10-year rollout of up to 1,500 new homes.
“Importantly, the areas identified under the TLPI have been carefully selected to support appropriate housing growth. This is a great outcome for our community, ensuring our greenspaces and open spaces are not targeted for development.”
Applications for Round 2 of the Residential Activation Fund closed on 24 April 2026, with successful projects expected to be announced from mid-2026.
The Crisafulli Government will continue identifying opportunities to accelerate housing delivery and unlock land supply across Queensland.
