Cairns Regional Council is calling on the Australian Government to deliver targeted investment in trunk infrastructure as part of next week's Federal Budget. Including a reminder that what you don't see is often what makes the biggest impact, especially when it comes to enabling infrastructure to improve housing supply.
Mayor Amy Eden said the Budget was a prime opportunity to commit to solutions that will support housing growth over the long-term.
"Getting housing on the agenda is easy. Getting people excited about the essentials – water, sewerage and roads – is harder, despite being critical to getting homes built," she said.
"Unlocking housing at scale requires all levels of government – local, state and federal – working together. It also requires real and sustained investment.
"As families face ongoing cost-of-living pressures, rising interest rates and housing stress, any Budget measures that ease that burden in regional communities is welcomed."
Mayor Eden said the key barrier to housing delivery in regional Australia was not land, it was the cost of enabling infrastructure.
"Without external funding, these costs fall back on local communities and ratepayers. That's simply not feasible," she said.
"More housing supply means more choice, less pressure on prices and rents, and better outcomes for families, workers and future residents.
"Secure and affordable homes provide the foundation to healthy families and productive workers, which ultimately benefits government revenue."
Council is working with the Queensland Government following the declaration of the Mount Peter Priority Development Area (PDA) in 2025.
"We've lodged a $45 million application through the State's Residential Activation Fund to accelerate essential infrastructure in the PDA," Mayor Eden said.
"This is an important first step, but unlocking the full potential of the Mount Peter growth corridor will require ongoing investment, including Federal support.
"Further investment is needed to support the pipeline of infrastructure beyond the immediate works proposed through the RAF application. It's critical to ensure sustained housing delivery over time."
Mayor Eden said the Federal Government should consider a dedicated program focused on housing-enabling infrastructure, particularly in fast-growing regional areas.
"We've seen the success of targeted State infrastructure programs, and there is a real opportunity for the Federal Government to play a stronger role in supporting housing-enabling infrastructure nationally."
Council will continue advocating for major infrastructure priorities essential to the region's growth, including upgrades to the Cairns Western Arterial Road, Captain Cook Highway, the Barron River Bridge, and the development of a Common User Facility at the Cairns Marine Precinct.
