2 weeks Ago By Savannah Meacham
A major social and affordable housing project will begin in Queensland's north, targeted at older residents to free up larger homes for families. The federal and state governments have announced a joint-funded plan to build 490 modular homes in Woree, a suburb of Cairns, to be completed by 2026. The development, featuring one and two-bedroom units, is aimed at older Queenslanders who are looking to downsize from their current home, freeing up larger homes for families.
It will include 245 social homes, 223 affordable and 22 specialist disability apartments to be built using mostly Australian materials and labour. "Every Queenslander deserves a safe place to call home," Premier Steven Miles said on Thursday. "One of the most important things a government can do is build homes for the most vulnerable – something I'm proud to be doing every day.
" The units will have direct access to transport routes, the Bruce Highway, the local shopping centre and the aquatic centre. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the project will change lives for residents in Queensland north. "This project will deliver hundreds of homes in regional Queensland, while complementing our plan to deliver thousands of homes .
.. all around Australia," he said.
It is funded by the state and federal governments, lending from Housing Australia, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility and ANZ and a capital grant from the National Housing Infrastructure Facility. Housing is one of the key Queensland election battle lines with a week of social and affordable home announcements from the Gold Coast to Mackay as the Miles government attempts to sway voters ahead of October 26. More than 1100 social and affordable homes are currently under construction with 2200 contracted to be delivered.
The Liberal National Party has also promised 53,500 social homes by 2044, two years faster than Labor's commitment. The opposition has also committed to opening up approvals for faith-based land to be used for social homes, potentially providing 10,000 properties by 2044. The LNP is tracking ahead in the polls, forecast to end Labor's nine years in government.
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