Today, the Albanese Government has announced more than 400 additional new homes for Defence personnel and their families in Townsville.
Three contracts have been signed between Defence Housing Australia (DHA) and local Townsville businesses to deliver these homes, which will be leased to DHA and provide new, high quality, affordable accommodation for Defence families in Australia's largest garrison city.
Z&Me Property and local north Queensland business Maidment Land and Tropical Homes will build and develop the homes, following an expression of interest process.
The contracts will be delivered as part of the New Builds Volume Leasing Program and will see the homes built within 30 kilometres of Lavarack Barracks.
The first homes as part of the Townsville Program are expected to be delivered in the 2025-26 financial year.
With the Australian Defence Force planning for a significant increase in personnel to Townsville's 3rd Brigade over the next five years, DHA's Townsville office has been relocated to a new, fit for purpose location in South Townsville to accommodate increased demand in the region.
Minister for Defence Personnel and Minister for Veterans' Affairs, Matt Keogh said:
"Australia's Defence personnel are our most important capability, so it is vital they and their families are well supported with modern, fit for purpose housing in their local communities.
"The National Defence Strategy made clear that our domestic force posture must change, that we must "deliver a logistically networked and resilient set of bases, predominantly across the north of Australia to enhance force projection. In order to support the movement of defence personnel and families north we're expanding the available offering of homes in Townsville.
"Following our recent announcement in Rockingham to deliver hundreds of homes along with these Townsville agreements, we will be delivering more than 1,000 new homes for Defence members and their families over the next five years."
Defence Housing Australia Chair, Dr Robert Lang said:
"We have commenced work with Z&Me Property, Maidment Land and Tropical Homes to deliver these homes for Defence members and their families who will call Townsville home in coming years.
"DHA is planning for this increase in Defence personnel and housing support in the region, and our recent relocation to a new office in Townsville is testament to our commitment of providing quality housing services."
