- Further $95 million in funding announced as part of Round 2 to fast track an additional 4,900 new homes across North Queensland.
- Residential Activation Fund has unlocked more than 159,000 places to call home for Queenslanders in less than 18 months.
- 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 next round of the Residential Activation Fund further fast tracking 4,900 new homes across North Queensland.
More than $95 million will be delivered for four projects that will deliver the critical trunk infrastructure needed to unlock land for residential development, helping deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders.
The investments include:
- More than $80 million will be invested in the Upper Ross Trunk Water and Sewer Infrastructure Package, which will enable Townsville City Council and Urbex Pty Ltd to deliver two critical sewer and water network infrastructure projects to keep up with major growth in Townsville. The project will help unlock nearly 3,500 new homes.
- Almost $9 million will be invested in the duplication of the Mount Margaret Reservoir system, delivering critical trunk infrastructure and unlocking 730 homes in the Rangewood and Alice River communities.
- $6 million will help deliver critical water, sewer, electrical, telecommunications and footpath infrastructure to unlock nearly 700 homes at Mount Low to support growth on the northern beaches.
The Crisafulli Government's total Residential Activation Fund investment in Townsville has now reached $159.7 million across Rounds 1 and 2, including previous funding for the Northern Beaches Trunk Road Infrastructure Package, Elliot Springs Ridge Crossing project and the Weston/Woolcock Street Signalised Intersection Project at Cosgrove Estate.
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 Residential Activation Fund has now unlocked capacity for more than 159,000 homes statewide, 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.
"These four projects will unlock over 4,900 places to call home for Queenslanders while supporting growing communities across North Queensland, and demonstrate what's possible when government partners with councils, landowners and developers to remove barriers to housing.
"In less than 18 months, the Crisafulli Government has already unlocked more than 159,000 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.
"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."
Member for Townsville Adam Baillie the investment would help unlock thousands of new homes while ensuring the water and sewerage networks needed to support new communities are delivered alongside housing.
"The Crisafulli Government is getting on with the job of building the infrastructure Townsville needs to grow, after a decade of Labor failing to keep up with demand," Mr Baillie said.
"Townsville is one of Queensland's fastest-growing regions, and we need the infrastructure to keep pace with that growth.
"This is about making sure more Queenslanders can find a home in Townsville and that our city has the infrastructure needed to support the next generation of growth."
Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa said this was another example of the Crisafulli Government working with local communities to unlock housing supply and build a stronger future for North Queensland.
"For regional Queensland, unlocking new housing is critical to attracting workers, supporting local businesses and giving families the opportunity to put down roots in our communities," Mr Chiesa said.
"This investment will help remove one of the biggest barriers to new housing — the delivery of essential infrastructure.
"The Crisafulli Government understands that regional communities need more than housing targets; they need the roads, water, sewerage and other infrastructure that makes new housing possible."
Member for Thuringowa Natalie Marr said the significant investment would help unlock thousands of new homes in the Townsville region, creating more opportunities for families, first home buyers and people looking to make North Queensland their home.
"Thuringowa is a growing community and families deserve to know that housing growth will be matched by the infrastructure needed to support it," Ms Marr said.
"After a decade of Labor making it harder to build homes, the Crisafulli Government is removing the barriers that have held housing supply back.
"We are investing in the infrastructure that will allow our communities to grow in a planned and sustainable way, while giving more Queenslanders the opportunity to own or rent a home."
Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole said Mundingburra and communities across Townsville were seeing the benefits of a government that was prepared to invest in the infrastructure needed to unlock housing.
"You can't simply announce thousands of new homes and expect them to appear – you need the water, sewerage and essential infrastructure to make those homes possible," Ms Poole said.
"The Crisafulli Government's Residential Activation Fund is doing exactly that, bringing forward projects that will unlock land and create new opportunities for Queensland families.
"This is practical investment that will make a real difference to housing supply and help Townsville continue to grow as one of Queensland's major regional cities."
Townsville Mayor Nick Dametto said Council was continuing to work closely with the Queensland Government and industry partners to support Townsville's future growth.
"Housing remains one of the biggest pressures facing Townsville and our region, so this is exactly the kind of infrastructure we need to unlock new housing and support our growing population," Cr Dametto said.
"Council approved a record of more than 1,200 residential lots in the past 12 months, and we're continuing to streamline processes while ensuring growth is planned and sustainable.
"It's pleasing to see the State Government recognise Townsville's rapid economic growth fuelling an urgent need for more housing, with the Residential Activation Fund helping deliver the infrastructure needed to get more homes on the ground sooner."
