Works accelerated to unlock housing supply in Rockhampton

• Crisafulli Government unlocking a place to call home for more Queenslanders, with essential works underway across multiple projects in Rockhampton.
• Projects backed by the Crisafulli Government’s landmark $2 billion Residential Activation Fund, with more than half spent in the regions.
• The Crisafulli Government is delivering more Queenslanders a place to call home after Labor's decade of decline.
• Applications for additional $500 million in funding under Round Two of RAF now open.

The Crisafulli Government has accelerated the delivery of major works in partnership with Rockhampton Regional Council to unlock homes across the region and ease Labor’s Housing Crisis.

Work has started on a fast tracked 1.85km extension of Alexandra Street from Birkbeck roundabout along with a shared concrete foot path, stormwater drainage, water main, and relocation of utilities.

The $23 million project will boost housing supply for the rapidly expanding suburb of Parkhurst, unlocking land for new homes in stages three, four and five of the development.

Nearby in North Rockhampton, work is well underway thanks to the Crisafulli Government’s $9.75 million investment towards the $13 million upgrade of the Sewage Treatment Plant UV Disinfection Facility.

The accelerated infrastructure rollout has been made possible by the Crisafulli Government’s $2 billion Residential Activation Fund, which unlocks land by ensuring critical infrastructure is in place so construction of new homes can get underway.

The Residential Activation Fund is a key part of the Crisafulli Government’s Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan, ensuring essential infrastructure is in place so communities are ready for growth.

At least half of the $2 billion in funding is dedicated to fast-tracking land supply in regional Queensland, with 98,000 new homes unlocked so far, including at least 4,100 across four projects in the Rockhampton region.

The Crisafulli Government will be delivering even more places to call home for Queenslanders, after announcing a $500 million to unlock more land to help ease Labor’s Housing Crisis earlier this week.  

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the upgrades demonstrated the Crisafulli Government's commitment to deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders and prepare regional Queensland for future growth. 

“After a decade of Labor decline when so many Queenslanders have struggled to put a roof over their head, we are getting shovels in the ground and delivering more homes,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.

“The Residential Activation Fund is unlocking land supply to address Labor’s Housing Crisis, so more Queenslanders across the state have a place to call home.

“The extension of Alexandra Street and associated trunk infrastructure is a significant investment that brings forward land supply, that otherwise would have stopped without funding from the Residential Activation Fund.

“Round 1 of the Residential Activation Fund has already supported $31.88 million towards four Rockhampton projects, and we’ve now investing a further $500 million to fast-track even more new home builds.”

Member for Rockhampton Donna Kirkland said the Crisafulli Government was getting on with the job of delivering more homes for Queenslanders.

“After a decade of decline where our region was constantly overlooked, the fact new homes have been unlocked and work started so quickly is amazing to see,” Ms Kirkland said.

“The Residential Activation Fund is a game-changer, delivering vital infrastructure so more Queenslanders have a place to call home.”

Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton said the RAF was unlocking much-needed housing in the region.

“The Crisafulli Government is committed to helping more Queenslanders realise their dream of owning their own home,” Mr Hutton said.

“The Residential Activation Fund has already unlocked thousands of new homes in our region and we’re continuing to work with local Councils to unlock even more housing supply to ease Labor’s Housing Crisis.”

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said the Residential Activation Fund was vital to enable the area’s future growth.

“We know we need to tackle the housing crisis at every point of the market and the construction of Alexandra Street Extended is key to unlocking future development in the Parkhurst area.

“There’s development already underway in Parkhurst with a significant number of new stages planned for the future. That can’t occur however without this project.

“That’s why we identified it early through our Housing Infrastructure Priority List and worked with our local State MPs to secure the necessary funding through the Residential Activation Fund to get this done.

“I want Rockhampton putting its best foot forward but that means having the tools and infrastructure in place we need to ensure we are tackling the housing crisis.  Alexandra Street Extended is key to that and building future homes here in the Rockhampton Region.”

For more information about Round Two of the Residential Activation Fund, visit https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/residential-activation-fund

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MEDIA CONTACT: Ash McDermid 0412 731 355