Homes for Queenslanders: housing builds up as state bucks national trend

• Queensland residential construction up four per cent on previous quarter despite dip nationally
• Includes 7.2 per cent jump in new house construction according to new ABS data
• Comes as Miles Government rolls out Homes for Queenslanders plan to deliver one million more homes
• Increased trajectory of homes at risk following revelations of LNP plans to cut $15.5 billion in housing funding

New ABS data has revealed residential construction is on the up in Queensland as the Miles Government continues its plan to deliver one million more Homes for Queenslanders.

With more than $4.07 billion in work done, the latest release by the ABS shows total residential work is four per cent higher over the previous quarter.

The increase has been sparked by a 7.2 per cent jump in new housing construction in particular when comparing the June 2024 quarter with the March 2024 quarter.

It’s the first full quarter since the Miles Government launched its hallmark Homes for Queenslanders plan, with the uplift in residential work coming after major announcements including an overhaul of stamp duty concessions and incentives for the building industry to get shovels in the ground sooner.

Queensland’s jump in residential construction work bucks the experience of other states, with nationwide data showing a -2.9 per cent change over the year, including a -5.4 drop nationally in apartment and townhouse construction (attached dwellings).

Data from Master Builders Australia anticipates the upwards trajectory in housing will continue with forecasts of a 29.9 per cent increase in new dwelling starts this financial year –equalling 39,190 new homes.

That analysis released in the organistion’s Building and Construction Industry Forecasts report (April 2024) shows the number of new dwellings started will skyrocket year on year to have 53,430 homes started in just the 2027-28 financial year.

The Miles Government’s Homes for Queenslanders plan will deliver one million more homes, including 53,500 more social homes with major changes to the state’s housing system.

The government’s blueprint includes targets for councils to meet on new homes built including specific targets for dwelling types like townhouses and apartments.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon says the efforts made by all levels of government and industry to deliver Homes for Queenslanders is at risk after it was revealed the LNP would cut $100 billion across the country.

Those cuts include taking an axe to the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund and $5.5 billion Help to Buy scheme.

Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon: 

“While the rest of the nation is down, Queensland is on the up and up when it comes to housing construction.

“The data shows the work we’ve done with Homes for Queenslanders is already having a positive impact, and will only go up in coming years.

“That’s at risk, though with revelations the LNP are putting $15.5 billion in housing funding on the chopping block should they ever get the chance.

“The LNP have sharpened their knives, ready to cut thousands of homes for Queenslanders at a time when we need more construction, not less.

“We’ll get on with the job of building more homes, but revelations of a $100 billion razor gang shows, Queensland just cannot risk the LNP at any level of government.”

ENDS

Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz – 0420 592 078