Published Yesterday at 10:45 AM

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations
The Honourable Jarrod Bleijie

Residential Activation Fund to unlock a further 190 new homes in Far North Queensland 

  • Far North Queensland to benefit from the Crisafulli Government’s landmark $2 billion Residential Activation Fund. 
  • Residential Activation Fund to deliver $18.1 million towards five critical infrastructure projects.
  • 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 190 new homes will be unlocked in Far North Queensland with the construction of five critical infrastructure projects set to be fast-tracked under the Crisafulli Government’s landmark $2 billion Residential Activation Fund.  

The Crisafulli Government has today announced $18.1 million funding under the Residential Activation Fund will support the construction of five projects in Cook Shire Council, Douglas Shire Council and Cassowary Coast Regional Council unlocking 190 new homes.  

Today’s announcement includes a $6.6 million boost towards the Craiglie Residential Subdivision, a master planned housing development set to transform a 19.6-hectare greenfield site into fully serviced residential estate, delivering much-needed housing supply in Port Douglas.
 
The Residential Activation Fund will also deliver a $5.4 million boost towards the Seaview Estate Subdivision which involves infrastructure for water reticulation, sewerage including a new pump station, stormwater drainage and roadworks to build more homes in Mission Beach. 
 
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.
 
It comes just months after the Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie visited Cairns where he announced that $89 million of RAF funding would fast-track 16 projects in Far North Queensland and unlock 3,000 new homes.
 
The $2 billion Residential Activation Fund 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 Residential Activation Fund, 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 Residential Activation Fund 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, rural and remote Queensland.
 
The five projects include:  
  • Craiglie Residential subdivision in Port Douglas ($6.6 million) which involves a new stormwater drainage system, water and sewerage infrastructure, new internal roads for the subdivision, and upgrading access points to the Captain Cook Highway and Andreassen Road. 
  • Seaview Estate subdivision in Mission Beach ($5.4 million) which involves infrastructure for water reticulation, sewerage including a new pump station, stormwater drainage and roadworks.
  • Eaton Estate Innisfail subdivision in Eaton ($4.1 million) which involves stormwater upgrades, a central roundabout, and upgraded drainage.
  • Serenity project subdivision in Mission Beach ($883,469) which involves road, water, sewerage and stormwater works, plus installing power and telecommunication connections.
  • Gigers Residential subdivision in Cooktown ($1.1 million) which involves construction of water, sewer, and stormwater networks, new roads and installing utilities.

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 will fast-track the delivery of five projects in Far North Queensland unlocking a further 190 new homes for Queenslanders,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.  

“This announcement comes just months after the Crisafulli Government’s Residential Activation Fund unlocked 3,000 new homes in FNQ, giving more Queenslanders a place to call home sooner.”  

Member for Cook David Kempton said the Crisafulli Government’s Residential Activation Fund would unlock much-needed housing in his electorate. 

“The Residential Activation Fund is critical to unlocking more homes in Far North Queensland and easing Labor’s Housing Crisis,” Mr Kempton said. 

“This $7.6 million investment in Cook is just another example of the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to deliver for regional Queensland." 

Cassowary Coast Regional Council Mayor Teresa Millwood said Council welcomed the State Government’s commitment to supporting residential growth in the Cassowary Coast through Residential Activation Funding.

“This funding is a critical step in unlocking much-needed housing supply across the Cassowary Coast. It will help overcome key infrastructure barriers to development, ensuring more land is brought to market and housing can be delivered faster to meet our community demand,” Mayor Millwood said.  

“Council acknowledges the importance of continued collaboration with the State to ensure that the delivery of trunk infrastructure such as water, sewerage, and stormwater does not become an unsustainable burden on local government or ratepayers. 

“Strategic investment in enabling infrastructure not only reduces pressure on Council resources but also encourages private sector confidence and further investment in housing. By working together, we can ensure that our communities grow in a planned, sustainable way providing more housing options for current and future residents of the Cassowary Coast.

“Council looks forward to ongoing engagement with the State to maximise the impact of this funding and support the delivery of resilient, well-serviced communities.” 

Cook Shire Council Mayor Robyn Holmes said the Council welcomed projects that unlocked housing supply in the regions.  

“Housing remains one of the greatest challenges across our region, and we welcome projects that will help unlock new supply and provide more homes for our communities,” Mayor Holmes said.  

“Cook Shire Council has consistently advocated for greater investment in housing, and it is encouraging to see funding flow to projects that will help unlock much-needed homes for our region.” 

Douglas Shire Mayor Lisa Scomazzon welcomed the investment, saying it would help meet growing demand for housing in the region. 

“This is a significant step forward for our community,” Mayor Scomazzon said. 

“The Craiglie Residential Subdivision will help ease housing pressures in our shire and we’re incredibly grateful to the Queensland Government for backing this project through the Residential Activation Fund. 

“The fund enables us to deliver the infrastructure needed to create vibrant and liveable neighbourhoods for our residents.” 

ENDS 

MEDIA CONTACT: Samantha Scott 0499 984 004