A $267 million building stimulus announced by the Premier today will support construction sector jobs and promote investment and economic development as the state recovers from the global COVID-19 pandemic
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the announcement as part of the Government's second stage of the Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs plan.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Queensland's housing and construction sector – a critical employer of skilled tradies across the state," the Premier said.
"The stimulus package we're announcing today will keep our tradies on the tools and the building supply chain moving, while supporting first home buyers and responding to homelessness impacts from COVID-19.
"Together, the measures in this package will deliver jobs for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, bricklayers, concreters and landscapers, as well as a wealth of new opportunities for local businesses that support their work."
The package includes:
- $100M housing construction – Works for Tradies – to boost housing supply, drive economic activity and support construction across Queensland.
- $50M SEQ community stimulus program – further funding to local government to support minor works and projects that create local jobs in impacted areas in South East Queensland.
- $106M first home owner grants and regional home building boost – to re-affirm our commitment to the $15,000 first home-owner grants program for any Queensland first home buyers purchasing a new home valued at less than $750,000; and provide an additional $5,000 grant for buyers of a new home (with the home being owner occupied and valued up to $750,000) in a regional location.
- $10M seniors and accessibility assistance – to continue providing services for seniors and people with disabilities to conduct critical home maintenance.
- $1.175M regional training infrastructure – to upgrade existing TAFE training campuses.
"The Works for Tradies housing program will see contracts signed to commence construction of an additional 215 new social homes by the end of next year.
"The program will support 240 jobs in construction and delivering social housing across the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Wide Bay, Moreton Bay, Toowoomba and Ipswich.
"Importantly, it will deliver even more safe, secure and affordable homes for our most vulnerable Queenslanders including women and children escaping domestic violence."
The Premier said the support for first home-owners would see Queenslanders moving into their homes sooner while supporting the economy.
"Together with the stimulus measures we've announced today, buyers of a new home in regional Queensland could also be eligible to receive a grant of 5,000 for a newly built home."
Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said $10 million will also be invested in the Senior's and Accessibility renovations program.
"This is a program that will help older Queenslanders make improvements to their homes that they may have been putting off due to financial constraints and, in turn, will give our tradies a shot in the arm," the Minister said.
"It will support works of up to $5,000 for safety, repairs, maintenance and security works to help around 2000 Queensland seniors to safely stay in their own homes.
"It might cover issues such as electrical safety, plumbing and hot water, access ramps, smoke alarms or the replacement of unsafe floor coverings, as well as major repairs to roofing or stumps and also kitchen and bathroom modifications."
Minister de Brenni said it was expected 500 projects would commence by the end of September, a further 500 by the end of the year and another 1000 projects by the end of June next year (2021).
"We've worked closely with the construction and housing support industries to identify these opportunities and we are looking forward to continuing this positive engagement as the pipeline of works rolls out."
