- 270 places to call home, including affordable housing for key workers, unlocked at Varsity Lake under the Crisafulli Government's nation-leading Land Activation Program.
- The developments will be delivered by BlueCHP Limited and Red and Co Developments Pty Ltd.
- The site was part of the former Labor Government's failed Ground Lease Model, which would have cost taxpayers $1.7 billion for just 715 dwellings.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering better services through a stronger economy and building Queensland's future, after the former Labor Government's decade of decline shut out aspiring home owners from the housing market.
Hundreds of new places to call home, including affordable housing for key workers, are on the way at Varsity Lakes through the Crisafulli Government's nation-leading Land Activation Program, putting an end to a $1.7 billion Labor failure.
The 1.1 hectare site on Station Parade was left vacant and fenced off during Labor's decade of decline after no longer being required for transport-related purposes.
The site was one of two sites earmarked by the former Labor Government for its failed Ground Lease Model, which its own KPMG report highlighted would cost approximately $2.4 million per dwelling, and delivered zero homes.
The Crisafulli Government in contrast has now unlocked 270 of homes on the site, including affordable housing, in just a few short months, with two proponents to deliver the diverse mix of homes.
Community housing provider Blue CHP will deliver 57 two-bedroom affordable housing apartments for key workers as part of a 7-storey complex – capping market rents at under 75 per cent.
Red and Co Developments Pty Ltd will deliver approximately 213 two and three bedroom apartments and townhouses, including communal open space.
The Land Activation Program unlocks underutilised government-owned land by partnering with the private sector to build homes and help address Labor's Housing Crisis.
Since launching the program in February 2026, over 30 hectares of land has been released to market and another 3,000 hectares of potential sites have been identified and are under assessment.
That's a stark contrast to Labor's Housing Crisis 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.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie said the Land Activation Program was part of the Crisafulli Government's fresh state for housing.
"This Varsity Lakes site is the perfect place to call home. Located across the road from the train station and close to Robina Town Centre, leading schools and major employment hubs, it's ideally positioned to support more homes close to transport, jobs and essential services," Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
"While Labor wanted to blow billions of dollars and didn't end up delivering a single home, the Crisafulli Government is getting it done, unlocking real homes and not costing taxpayers.
"By releasing unused state land like this to the market and partnering with the industry that builds new homes, we are unlocking opportunities for more Queenslanders to have a place to call home.
"Unlike Labor, we're delivering more housing, including affordable homes, quickly without spending billions of taxpayer dollars or using failed restrictive mandates that stalled developments.
"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."
Member for Burleigh Hermann Vorster said the Crisafulli Government was playing its part to tackle Labor's Housing Crisis, particularly frontline workers.
"The teachers, nurses and police who serve in this community had sadly been locked out of living in it by Labor, and the Crisafulli Government is determined to reignite the dream of homeownership for hardworking Queenslanders," Mr Vorster said.
"The successful proponents are delivering the supply and the right mix of housing, so more Queenslanders have a place to call home."
BlueCHP Chief Executive Office Charles Northcote welcomed affordable housing being part of the mix on the Varsity Lakes site.
"EDQ deserves credit for the Land Activation Program and for embedding affordable housing into the Varsity Lakes site from the outset," Mr Northcote said.
"Just as importantly, requiring a Community Housing Provider to lead delivery of that component reflects a genuine understanding that affordable housing isn't just about construction — it's about long-term, professional management of tenancies and communities. BlueCHP is proud that our track record as a Tier 1 CHP has been recognised in this way, and we look forward to working closely with MEDQ to deliver on that trust."
Red and Co Development Director Ben Woolhouse said the additional housing would support the area's growth.
"Red & Co are delighted to have been appointed as the preferred proponent for the market housing project at Varsity Lakes,"
We are excited to deliver much-needed housing to this vital area of South East Queensland and contribute to the continued growth and success of the region."
