- Miles Government fund to accelerate more homes in underutilised urban areas sees 220+ applications
- Potential for 12,000 homes, faster with government to help cover charges and fees
- Fund applications closed after two weeks due to sheer demand
- Part of government's Homes for Queenslanders plan to build one million more homes, faster
The Miles Government's $350 million fund to get homes out of the ground has attracted more than 220 applications in just two weeks.
It equates to potentially more than 12,000 new homes and 4,000 lots.
The fund – part of the Miles Government's Homes for Queenslanders plan – covers the cost of infrastructure charges and development application fees for new homes that are well located to existing services, public transport, schools and jobs.
Of the applications received, more than 60 per cent relate to projects with development approvals that could be brought forward.
By covering known infrastructure costs, the fund will also prevent these costs being passed on to homebuyers, promoting housing choice and improving affordability.
Applications have been lodged for a range of homes from gentle density to apartments from the Gold Coast, Darling Downs, regional towns and cities all the way north to Cooktown.
The department will now assess applications, and where a project doesn't fit the criteria, unfunded allocation will be released in new rounds to keep accelerating the delivery of new homes.
The guidelines make clear that affordability is critical and will be prioritised through the assessment process.
It joins a number of initiatives under the Homes for Queenslanders plan to unlock more homes, faster like a new pathway to fast-track developments with a focus on affordable housing, and a growth monitoring team to make sure targets are being met and provide advice on how to unblock supply.
As stated by Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon:
"When we said we'd slash red tape and support industry to build more homes faster, we meant it.
"What's clear is there are pockets of land close to public transport, jobs and schools that are underutilised. That needs to change if we're to meet the demands for housing in Queensland.
"We've listened to industry who told us they have projects ready to go, they just need that little bit of extra support to make it shovel-ready.
"We now have evidence that this lever should be pulled because it is has attracted significant interest in bringing forward new supply.
"Meanwhile the LNP have been busy voting against 30,000 social and affordable homes, and now putting up barriers to stop thousands of Queenslanders from buying their own home."
