- $9.6 million through the Crisafulli Government's Residential Activation Fund will unlock 90 homes in Far North Queensland region.
- Residential Activation Fund has unlocked more than 100,000 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 set to accelerate more than 90 new homes across Far North Queensland.
As part of Round 2 of the Residential Activation Fund, the Crisafulli Government is investing $9.6 million in two projects that will deliver the critical trunk infrastructure needed to unlock land for residential development, helping deliver more homes sooner for Queenslanders.
The award-winning Residential Activation Fund program has now unlocked capacity for more than 100,000 homes statewide, helping deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders.
$5.1 million will be invested in the Coquette Point Water Main Extension in the Cassowary Coast Regional Council area.
The project will deliver a new water pump station, a 4.75-kilometre water main and associated infrastructure to enable future residential development at Coquette Point.
The Crisafulli Government will also invest $4.5 million in the Ray Road Residential Subdivision – Highfield Estate project in the Mareeba Shire Council area.
The project will deliver upgrades to Ray Road and essential water, sewer, drainage, electrical and telecommunications infrastructure to support new residential development in Mareeba.
This is the first announcement for Round 2 in rural and remote Queensland, with a record almost 57 per cent or $572 million of funding in Round 2 being spent outside of South-East Queensland.
Across Rounds 1 and 2, this extra funding now represents an almost $117 million investment in Far North Queensland, across 23 projects, unlocking more than 3,280 new places to call home.
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 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 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.
"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 two projects will unlock 90 more place to call home for Queenslanders while supporting growing communities in Far North Queensland.
"The Residential Activation Fund has now unlocked more than 100,000 homes across Queensland, demonstrating exactly 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 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."
Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa said the investment was helping deliver the infrastructure needed to unlock more housing in Far North Queensland.
"Communities across the Far North need more homes, and that starts with investing in the essential infrastructure that makes new housing possible," Mr Chiesa said.
"The Crisafulli Government is delivering the critical water infrastructure needed at Coquette Point to unlock future residential development and support the Cassowary Coast's continued growth.
"After a decade of decline under Labor that contributed to the Housing Crisis, we're investing in the infrastructure our communities need to create more housing opportunities for Queenslanders."
Member for Cook David Kempton said the investment in Mareeba was helping unlock new housing and support the region's future growth.
"This investment in the Highfield Estate development will help unlock more land for housing by delivering the essential road and utility infrastructure needed for new residential development," Mr Kempton said.
"By partnering with local councils to deliver enabling infrastructure, the Crisafulli Government is creating the right conditions for more homes to be built sooner.
"This is about ensuring growing communities like Mareeba have the infrastructure they need to support more housing, more families and a stronger local economy."
Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Teresa Millwood said he Crisafulli Government's investment through the Residential Activation Fund was a significant boost for Coquette Point.
"By supporting the delivery of essential trunk infrastructure, this funding will help unlock land for future residential development and provide more housing opportunities for our growing community," Mayor Millwood said.
"We thank the Queensland Government for recognising the importance of infrastructure-led housing growth in the Cassowary Coast.
"This funding will enable Council to advance the trunk infrastructure needed to open up Coquette Point, support new development and give greater confidence to landowners, developers and future residents."
Mareeba Shire Council Mayor Angela Toppin said Council was pleased to see funding being invested in Mareeba Shire to help address the housing crisis.
"This $4.5 million investment in the Ray Road Residential Subdivision – Highfield Estate project will help unlock new housing opportunities in Mareeba," Mayor Toppin said.
"The Residential Activation Fund is critical, especially to expand critical trunk infrastructure which is essential if we are to address the dire shortage of residential properties in Mareeba Shire.
"We thank the Crisafulli Government for recognising the needs of our region and investing in our Shire's future."
