Qld Picks Up Infrastructure Bill for 33 More Projects

More projects have been added to a Queensland Government scheme to remove infrastructure roadblocks and get more homes built.

Under the previously announced Incentivising Infill Development Fund (IIDF), infrastructure charges and development application fees for approved projects are covered.

It is expected the $350-million fund will help fast-track more than 3790 new homes. 

Infrastructure costs have been widely identified are a barrier to new housing, often in regional areas where land with little to no trunk infrastructure, such as water, sewerage and electricity, is being unlocked for new medium to high-density housing. 

This often leaves councils and developers at an impasse over who needs to pay for infrastructure for greenfield sites.

It is also an issue for infill sites in cities and urban centres where existing infrastructure needs to be upgraded and the costs for that makes projects unfeasible. 

The state this week said another 33 projects will receive funding through the IIDF as part of the Homes for Queenslanders plan. 

Those projects are in Brisbane, at Moreton Bay, and on the Fraser, Sunshine and Gold coasts, with a total of $85 million being provided.

They add to the 80 projects comprising 3670 homes already chosen for IIDF assistance and take the total number of homes to more than 3790. 

The IIDF is among initiatives contained in the Homes for Queenslanders plan, which aims to deliver a million new homes by 2046, including 53,500 social homes. 

Another is the State-Facilitated Development Pathway.

The first two projects to go through that pathway are a 2750-home project at Robina that will include 550 affordable homes and a 45-home project at Wakerley. 

Social housing is very much on the Queensland Government’s agenda.

▲ Icon Constructions has been selected as the builder for a key supportive accommodation project.

Icon Constructions has been announced as the builder for the 200-home Southport Supportive Accommodation Project with construction slated to begin early next year. 

That project will include 200 highrise apartments for Queenslanders in need, including those experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness.

It is designed as a housing-first model with space for support within the Southport Priority Development Area, first identified through the state’s land audit. 

Those with lived experiences of homelessness and the community housing sector have been consulted as part of the development of the project. 

The state has also fast-tracked social housing projects elsewhere, including at Wynnum where a six-storey building with 50 one and two-bedroom apartments has been approved. 

This was facilitated through the Ministerial Infrastructure Designation Process (MID process) that provides an alternative to traditional council development application processes. 

It is being used to deliver social and affordable housing faster.

Bric Housing used the MID process to propose the project, for a site near the Wynnum Train Station, community and allied health services, and shops. 

A total of 746 homes across several projects are undergoing the MID process, according to Queensland housing minister Meaghan Scanlon. 

Community housing providers have also received an additional $4 million to help build capability and capacity so that they are able to increase the size of their portfolios but also manage them as they grow. 

The funding is through the Community Housing Futures program, which will offer access to specialist advice, grants, tools and training. 

It will be administered by peak bodies including the Community Housing Industry Association (Queensland), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Housing Queensland and Q Shelter. 

The new funding increases the money the program has to $8 million. 

“Increasing the supply of community housing is a vital part of addressing the housing crisis,” Community Housing Industry Association executive officer Annemaree Callander said.

“These additional funds are very welcome and will assist community housing providers to deliver more social and affordable homes throughout Queensland.”