- Almost $100 million will unlock more than 14,000 new homes on the Fraser Coast.
- Funding marks the largest ever state government investment partnership with Fraser Coast Regional Council.
- Residential Activation Fund has unlocked more than 155,000 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 a place to call home for more Queenslanders quickly, with the next round of the Residential Activation Fund (RAF) set to accelerate more than 14,000 new homes on the Fraser Coast.
As part of Round 2 of the RAF, the Crisafulli Government is investing almost $100 million across five projects that will deliver the critical trunk infrastructure needed to unlock land for residential development, helping deliver more homes sooner for Queenslanders.
The funding marks the largest ever investment partnership with Fraser Coast Regional Council projects by a state government and will include:
The Pulgul Creek Sewerage Treatment Plant upgrade project, which will benefit from $50 million in funding and unlock nearly 5,000 homes
The Fraser Coast Water Grid project, which will benefit from $40.4 million funding to construct a 27km water main, transfer pump stations and distribution mains and unlock 5,530 homes.
$7.46 million investment for the Fraser Lakes Project, which will include the construction of new sewer infrastructure, including a pump station, sewer and watermains and upgrades to a major intersection, including active transport facilities, and unlock nearly 4,000 homes.
$2 million across two projects will deliver upgrades to the Alice and Palmer Streets intersection, trunk water infrastructure, communications and under-bores in Maryborough unlocking 100 homes, as well as the delivery of critical road and electrical infrastructure at Oakhurst unlocking 17 homes.
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 RAF program has now unlocked capacity for more than 155,000 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 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 five projects will unlock more than 14,000 extra places to call home for Queenslanders while supporting growing communities on the Fraser Coast.
"The Residential Activation Fund has now unlocked more than 155,000 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 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 Hervey Bay David Lee said the investment would help unlock thousands of new homes across Hervey Bay and give more local families the opportunity to call the region home.
"This is a huge investment in Hervey Bay's future and a major step towards unlocking more homes for local families," Mr Lee said.
"For too long, housing supply has failed to keep pace with the growth of our community, putting more pressure on families trying to find a home.
"The Crisafulli Government is getting on with the job of fixing that by investing in the water and sewerage infrastructure needed to unlock land and get homes built sooner."
Member for Maryborough John Barounis said the investment would help ensure Maryborough and the wider Fraser Coast had the infrastructure needed to support future growth.
"Maryborough and the wider Fraser Coast are growing, and we need the infrastructure to make sure that growth delivers opportunities for local families," Mr Barounis said.
"The Fraser Coast Water Grid will be a transformational project for our region, strengthening water security while helping unlock new residential development across Hervey Bay and Maryborough.
"More housing supply means more choice for families, more opportunities for first home buyers and a stronger future for our regional communities."
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the funding announced today was a significant investment in the Fraser Coast, a strong vote of confidence in the region's future and a demonstration of how different levels of government could work together to deliver good results for the community. "As more people choose to call the Fraser Coast home, we need to make sure our essential infrastructure keeps pace and supports new housing," Mr Seymour said. "The Fraser Coast Water Grid will strengthen water security and resilience by connecting our Hervey Bay and Maryborough water supply networks, while the Pulgul Creek Sewage Treatment Plant upgrade will ensure the region's wastewater treatment capacity meets demand. "We thank the Queensland Government for recognising the importance of these projects and working with us to help deliver the infrastructure that the Fraser Coast region needs now and into the future."
