Action on housing to benefit remote Qld communities

• 22 Local Housing Action Plans have been completed for remote councils
• The Palaszczuk Government provided $200,000 to the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils to prepare the plans
• A further 38 councils will have Local Housing Action Plans completed by mid-2024

The 22 member councils of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils (WQAC) now have completed Local Housing Action Plans, designed to help address the housing challenges facing regional and remote Queensland.

Local Housing Action Plans are a commitment under the Queensland Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025 and aim to identify needs, solutions and help coordinate responses to rural and remote community housing challenges.

The Palaszczuk Government provided $200,000 to the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils in mid-2022, to prepare the 22 Local Housing Action Plans.

The initiative was overseen by the Department of Housing and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning.

All 22 Local Housing Action Plans were completed by June 2023 as planned and have proven to be key in identifying priority actions to respond to housing challenges in each local government area.

In March 2023, the Queensland Government announced $600,000 in funding to the Local Government Association of Queensland to undertake the development of Local Housing Action Plans for a further 38 councils, with all plans to be drafted by December 2023 and completed by March 2024.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier Steven Miles:

“The Palaszczuk Government has been working with the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils to get these Local Housing Action Plans completed as quickly as possible.

“Every region across Queensland faces different challenges, and the 22 member councils of the Alliance certainly face their fair share as they serve some of our most remote communities.

“They have to manage with far fewer resources than the largely populated council areas along the eastern coastline, but they get the job done.

“One of the largest challenges they face is a diversity of housing accommodation within their communities.

“This is a key area the Rural and Remote Councils Compact is looking to address, and I know the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils has been leading the way.

“Developing Local Housing Action Plans is a commitment under the Queensland Housing and Homelessness Action Plan 2021-2025.

“Of course, it’s the councils who know the needs of their communities better than anyone, and I applaud the tireless work the WQAC has carried out to get these plans complete.”

Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon:

“National pressures are having an impact across Queensland, including in the west – which is where these plans together with our record investment in social and affordable homes step in.

“The plans are aimed at boosting housing supply and increase housing and homelessness supports across Queensland by looking at things on a local level and focusing on the unique challenges and opportunities of each region.

“They join a record $5 billion investment for social and affordable homes – the largest investment in Queensland’s history – as well as innovations like building pre-fabricated homes to be rolled out in remote communities.

“What’s clear is every level of government together with industry and organisations need to pull every lever to make sure we tackle the challenges of housing.”

Quotes attributable to WQAC Leadership Group spokesperson Balonne Shire Council Mayor and Chair of the South West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils Samantha O’Toole:

“The Western Queensland Alliance of Councils has been focused on examining the housing challenges facing regional and remote Queensland and giving local governments a clearer path forward.

“Housing availability and diversity is one of the major challenges our councils face, which is why we held a housing forum in 2021.

“The WQAC identified the need for Local Housing Action Plans for our members and we’re thrilled that working with the Queensland Government, they have been completed so quickly.

“Once implemented, they will have the potential to make an enormous difference to the sustainability and liveability of our communities, and show other councils the positive benefits of having a Local Housing Action Plan in place.”

Further Information:

The 22 member councils of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils are Balonne Shire Council, Barcaldine Regional Council, Barcoo Shire Council, Blackall-Tambo Regional Council, Boulia Shire Council, Bulloo Shire Council, Burke Shire Council, Carpentaria Shire Council, Cloncurry Shire Council, Diamantina Shire Council, Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council, Etheridge Shire Council, Flinders Shire Council, Longreach Regional Council, Maranoa Regional Council, McKinlay Shire Council, Mount Isa City Council, Murweh Shire Council, Paroo Shire Council, Quilpie Shire Council, Richmond Shire Council, Winton Shire Council.

ENDS