Homes for Queenslanders: Ivory Street redevelopment on cards to bolster inner-city housing

• Site at Ivory Street, Fortitude Valley could deliver housing solutions at scale for Queenslanders as part of Homes for Queenslanders
• Miles Government will now progress a detailed evaluation of housing options which could be delivered on the site to boost supply, including supportive housing outcomes

The ever-changing face of Brisbane’s Fortitude Valley could usher in a large-scale housing solution with plans in motion as part of the Miles Government’s Homes for Queenslanders.

A Business Case will be developed on government owned land at Ivory Street, Fortitude Valley for a large-scale housing development, exploring supportive housing outcomes.

This project could potentially include a range of housing options including social, affordable, including supportive accommodation, and a centre for drop-in services and other facilities. 

The scope of the project will be underpinned by a detailed needs assessment.

A history of this very site is a history of the city of Brisbane.

Fortitude Valley has been a key part of what we now call the City of Brisbane since long before it was a city.

Its history might be one of the most varied in Queensland – once a place of ponds and creeks and a thriving community of first Australians; a bustling wharf area; a place for grand emporiums and a nightlife district.

Ivory Street itself has been part of all of this - it changes with the times - and it’s appropriate it should be a key part of the Miles Government’s commitment to addressing homelessness.

Queensland has some of the oldest surviving newspaper archives in the country and they record a time when the first people carried their children down to the waterholes and the river to swim; when the area between Ivory Street and Ann Street was all paddock; when in the 1860s All Hallow’s convent just across the road was first being built.

In 1918 Ivory Street was the site of major political meetings, many addressing the concerns of homelessness in the Depression; and in 1932 The Telegraph Newspaper excitedly reported that an Ivory Street “house of ill-fame” had been caught selling sly grog.

So this is an area rich in history, and rich in the stories of this city and it has long been a place for people who deserved to be heard or were living on the margins.

Today’s announcement follows a 20 per cent uplift for homelessness organisations like 3^rd Space as well as a new support centre for youth at-risk of homelessness in the Valley to be run in partnership with Brisbane Youth Service.

Ivory Street was identified as part of the government’s audit of government land and buildings to find sites that may be suitable housing outcomes.

The audit has produced an initial shortlist of 27 large sites, 419 small sites and 177 council sites for further investigation.

Of the 27 large sites identified, 26 have had initial investigations completed, with recommendations for sites, including Ivory Street, progressing to the next stages of planning

The Miles Government’s investment in the evaluation will include planning and investigation and preparation of an investment case for a decision by late 2024.

Quotes attributable to Minister for State Development and Infrastructure and Member for McConnel Grace Grace:

“Having lived in this area practically my whole life, I’ve seen the valley evolve to meet the needs of our community – and what we need now is more homes for Queenslanders.

“We know there is a need for more large-scale housing developments in Inner City Brisbane and the Ivory Street site is one that has been identified.

“There is significant interest from across the community and the sector in this site and its potential to provide safe, secure and affordable housing for potentially hundreds of Queenslanders.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works Meaghan Scanlon:

“There’s a huge amount of potential on this site, and I’m eager to see what the business case shows we can do here.

“It’s located right in the heart of Brisbane, close to public transport, jobs and support – it makes sense to build more homes here.

 “Every Queenslander deserves a safe place to live.

“In order to build more homes faster, and bolster our social housing Big Build we need to be exploring how we can make the most of sites like this through infill development.”

Further information:

Anyone who needs housing assistance can contact the Fortitude Valley Housing Service Centre during business hours on 07 3034 6500 or call the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.

ENDS

Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz - 0420 592 078