Palaszczuk Government invests $52.3 million for Townsville housing boost

The Townsville region is set to share in a $1.8 billion housing investment by the Palaszczuk Government, which will deliver more than 5,000 extra homes and thousands of jobs across the state in the next 10 years.

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland and Member for Mundingburra Coralee O’Rourke said the work, which comes under the Queensland Housing Strategy, was aimed at urgently addressing housing affordability in North Queensland.

“Under the strategy, $52.3 million is being spent to build 137 social housing projects here in Townsville, which means jobs and greater choice for our community,” Mrs O’Rourke said.

Member for Townsville Scott Stewart said the new ten year Housing Strategy would super-charge the building of affordable and social homes and drive more jobs.

“The Palaszczuk Government will streamline processes so that the housing projects can get moving faster and Queensland builders and businesses can get involved quicker,” Mr Stewart said.

Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said said that building new homes would not just provide accommodation, it would also provide jobs for the region.

“This significant new investment in housing forms a pipeline of work for our local construction industry,” Mr Harper said.

“These jobs, big and small, support local tradies and their families.”

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni said the Housing Strategy was expected to support 29 full time equivalent jobs in the region each year for the next 10 years.

He said the Palaszczuk Government would expand initiatives like Better Neighbourhoods Logan to renew communities and build new ones across the state.

“Those new and reinvigorated communities, through greater housing investment and updated planning, will have a better choice of diverse affordable housing with access to transport, education and everything Queenslanders need to live a full, rewarding life,” he said.

“It will help to forge stronger communities across the state over the next 10 years.”

Minister de Brenni said the Strategy funding represented an historic investment in Queensland housing.

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