The Queensland Government is partnering with the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) to fast-track Local Housing Action Plans for rural and remote councils.
In Charleville for the WQAC Assembly, Deputy Premier and Minister for Local Government Steven Miles said $200,000 had been allocated to help the WQAC deliver 22 Action Plans.
"Community housing is an area of concern right across the State, and the rural and remote communities of Western Queensland face their own unique challenges in this area," Mr Miles said.
"There's no question that available housing is vital to a community's economic sustainability and growth.
"Housing is also one of the key areas the Rural and Remote Councils Compact is looking to address, and I know the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils has been leading the way.
"There are 22 councils that form the WQAC. We'll work with the organisation to identify a number of pilot sites and, once the pilots are done, use the learnings to inform how the action plans are rolled out to other councils.
"Our local councils understand the individual needs of their communities better than anyone, so it's incredibly important that the WQAC plays a key role in this initiative."
Local Housing Action Plans are a commitment under the Queensland Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025, and aim to identify needs, solutions and help coordinate responses to rural and remote community housing challenges.
Minister for Communities and Housing Leeanne Enoch said the Queensland Government was committed to working with councils to address the housing challenges right across Western Queensland.
"In June 2021, we launched the Queensland Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021–2025, which is a four-year plan for the next stage of the Queensland Housing Strategy," Ms Enoch said.
"This Plan is backed by a $2.9 billion investment, including the establishment of a $1 billion Housing Investment Fund, to boost housing supply and increase housing and homelessness supports across Queensland.
"It represents the largest concentrated investment in Queensland's history.
"As part of the Housing and Homelessness Action Plan, the Queensland Housing Investment Growth Initiative will deliver accelerated social housing supply of 7,400 social and affordable homes, including 2,765 social homes under our QuickStarts Qld program.
"This is in addition to the 2,480 new social homes already commenced under the Queensland Housing Strategy since 2017."
Mayor of Balonne Shire Council and Chair of the South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils Samantha O'Toole thanked the Queensland Government for its support.
"A lack of appropriate housing is an enormous issue in rural and remote council areas, damaging local economies, population retention and growth," Mayor O'Toole said.
"By fast-tracking the Local Housing Action Plans, our communities will see the benefits far sooner than expected, improving liveability and attracting more families to Western Queensland.
"This $200,000 initiative will make a real difference, and is a wonderful example of what can be achieved when our two levels of government work together."
