Homes for Queenslanders: Wide Bay and Burnett Housing Big Build ramping up

Published Wednesday, 18 September, 2024 at 04:16 PM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier
The Honourable Steven Miles

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works
The Honourable Meaghan Scanlon

Minister for Child Safety, Minister for Seniors and Disability Services and Minister for Multicultural Affairs
The Honourable Charis Mullen

  • Queensland’s Housing Big Build ramping up across the Wide Bay and Burnett
  • More social and affordable homes under construction
  • Homes for Queenslanders to deliver 53,500 social homes by 2046

The Miles Government is ramping up its Big Housing Build across the Wide Bay and Burnett with more social and affordable homes under construction as the state hits a billion-dollar milestone.

The construction boom has created jobs for hundreds of workers right across the state with more jobs on offer as construction continues to build momentum.

More than $1 billion in social and affordable housing projects are now in construction or contracted to be delivered across Queensland as the Miles Government’s Homes for Queenslanders Plan.

More than 900 social and affordable homes have been completed since the Homes for Queenslanders launch, with more than 1,100 homes currently under construction and more than 2,200 social and affordable homes contracted to be delivered.

Among the homes currently under construction across the Wide Bay and Burnett include projects at Kingaroy, Hervey Bay, Bundaberg, Maryborough, and Cherbourg.

Homes for Queenslanders remains the single largest investment in housing in Queensland history, delivering on the Miles Government’s commitment of delivering more homes faster, supporting renters, helping first homeowners, boosting social housing, and working to end homelessness.

It’s a stark contrast to the LNP who last week announced $100 billion in federal funding cuts, including cuts to the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund and $5.5 billion Help to Buy scheme.

The threat to cut the $10 billion Housing Australia Future Fund means 30,000 social and affordable homes are in jeopardy of never being built, including thousands slated for Queensland.

Quotes attributable to Premier Steven Miles:

“Housing is one of the biggest issues around the state, and across the country.

“As more people move to Queensland, it puts pressure on our already tight housing market.

“I have a plan to address these pressures, while also planning for the future. You can see the benefits of that plan in action right now.

“Across the state, we have more than $1 billion in social and affordable housing projects underway.

“These new builds will ensure that vulnerable Queenslanders right here have a roof over their head.

“I’m listening to Queenslanders and doing what matters to deliver a better future for them.”  

Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon:

“We’ve made it clear through our Homes for Queenslanders plan that we’ll pull every lever possible to help Queenslanders find a place to call home and we are delivering.

“We have locked in more than a billion dollars for social and affordable housing projects – we are building the homes for the people who need it.

“Right across the state, work is happening right now to build more housing through our Homes for Queenslanders plan – the largest single investment in social and affordable housing by any state or territory government.

“Our Homes for Queenslanders plan is getting more shovels in the ground and tradies on the tools to build the homes Queenslanders need.

“The LNP sent social housing backwards, cut support for renters and sacked 1,600 QBuild workers.”

Quotes attributable to Seniors and Disability Minister Charis Mullen:

“Our Government’s Housing Big Build is helping support Queenslanders with disability and seniors into affordable housing options.

“Five of these homes are accessible for people with disability and for our seniors with mobility needs.

“This is repeated at construction sites across the state, where the Miles Labor Government housing policies are benefiting some of our most vulnerable Queenslanders.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari:

“The Miles Labor Government is continuing to work hard to provide safe and secure housing for people who need it.

“I’ve fought hard for the community to deliver the housing we need – this government is doing what matters for the people of Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith:

“The Miles Labor Government is doing what matters for Queensland, and for the people of Bundaberg by delivering safe, secure, and affordable housing.

“We’re delivering more new homes across the region which is the first step in connecting people with the jobs, education, and services they need.

“Unlike the Member for Burnett, I don’t believe that modular homes are ‘too much’ for our community.

"Our community deserves to have every housing option explored, secured, and delivered."

Quotes attributable to Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders:

“This is another example of our government doing what matters for Maryborough and Queensland by delivering safe, secure, and affordable housing.

“I’m focused on putting this region first and fighting for more homes to be built – because it’s what matters to our community.”

Further information:

Anyone who needs housing assistance can contact their local Housing Service Centre during business hours or call the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.

 ENDS

Media contact – Francis Dela Cruz 0420 592 078