- Townsville to benefit from Crisafulli Government's landmark Residential Activation Fund, which was doubled to $1 billion in State Budget.
- Residential Activation Fund to deliver $14.7 million towards a critical infrastructure project set to unlock 1,600 new homes.
- At least half of the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund dedicated to fast-tracking regional housing projects.
- Queenslanders have now seen 10 months of delivering under the Crisafulli Government, after 10 years of decline under Labor.
A further 1,600 new homes will be unlocked in Townsville with a critical infrastructure project set to be fast-tracked under the Crisafulli Government's landmark $2 billion Residential Activation Fund.
The Crisafulli Government has today announced funding under the Residential Activation Fund (RAF) will support construction of a critical infrastructure project in Townsville which will unlock 1,600 new homes in Cosgrove Estate.
The Fund will deliver a $14.7 million boost towards the $19.5 million Weston and Woolcock Street Signalised Intersection project.
Project works include:
- upgrading the existing unsignalised intersection to a signalised intersection
- street lighting and signalised pedestrian crossings on all four approaches to the intersection
- installation of under-road culverts, stormwater and drainage systems
- installation of signs, pedestrian barrier fencing, roadside guideposts, line marking, lighting/signal footings and pram ramps
It comes just months after the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie visited Townsville where he announced $36.8 million of RAF Funding would fast-track three critical infrastructure projects in North Queensland which will unlock 2,700 new homes.
Under the former Labor Government, housing lot approvals slumped by 29 per cent, leading to record-low rental vacancy rates and a skyrocketing social housing waitlist across Queensland.
The $2 billion RAF has received 178 submissions – 64 from South East Queensland and 114 from regional, rural and remote Queensland.
The Crisafulli Government's 2025-26 Budget is delivering up to $1 billion for round one of the RAF, doubled from the original $500 million, in response to the overwhelming support and availability of shovel-ready projects.
Round one funding focuses on the construction of critical trunk infrastructure needed such as water supply, sewerage, stormwater, and roads needed to unlock new residential developments and ease Labor's Housing Crisis.
The $2 billion RAF is a key pillar of the Crisafulli Government's Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan and is breaking down the barriers for infill and greenfield developments.
The Fund will deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders and support one million new homes by 2044 with at least 50 per cent of the overall funding to be invested in regional and remote Queensland.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie, said the Residential Activation Fund was set to unlock thousands of new homes across Queensland.
"The Crisafulli Government's landmark $2 billion Residential Activation Fund is delivering for North Queensland, unlocking much-needed housing sooner," Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
"This $14.7 million investment is just one way we are reversing Labor's decade-long neglect of regional Queensland.
"The Residential Activation Fund is delivering on the Crisafulli Government's election commitment to unlock more land for housing giving more Queenslanders a place to call home."
Member for Townsville Adam Baillie said the Residential Activation Fund was a key election commitment of the Crisafulli Government and would ensure more North Queenslanders could get into homes sooner.
"This announcement is a great win for Queenslanders looking to get into a new home and will secure the future of our region for decades to come," Mr Baillie said.
"The Crisafulli Government wants people to be able to live, work and play in regional Queensland, and making sure they have a place to call home is the first step."
Member for Mundingburra Janelle Poole said the Residential Activation Fund would fast-track the delivery of critical infrastructure to unlock housing in the region.
"By partnering with both local governments and private landowners, the Crisafulli Government is ensuring that housing can be delivered according to the needs of the local community," Ms Poole said.
"This announcement is about ensuring that Townsville's future is secured for decades to come."
Member for Thuringowa Natalie Marr welcomed the announcement, emphasising how essential the delivery of new road infrastructure was for unlocking housing.
"The upgrading and installation of essential road infrastructure will fast-track the delivery of housing in the Townsville region, a critical step in getting more Queenslanders into homes," Ms Marr said.
"The former Labor Government after nearly ten years in office left Queensland with the worst level of home ownership in the country.
"Only the Crisafulli Government is delivering a place to call home for North Queenslanders to fix Labor's housing crisis."
