A Fresh Start for Queensland: Guaranteed $1 billion for regions from Residential Activation Fund
- Call for applications from regional Queensland for the Crisafulli Government's landmark Residential Activation Fund.
- $500 million first round supports shovel-ready developments for roads, water and stormwater to deliver more housing sooner around the State.
- $1 billion guaranteed funding to fast-track housing outside South East Queensland.
The Crisafulli Government's landmark $2 billion Residential Activation Fund guarantees $1 billion for regional Queensland to deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders.
Applications are now open for the fund's $500 million first round to fast-track critical infrastructure, accelerate housing development, and ease Labor's Housing Crisis.
The focus on areas outside the South East demonstrates a firm commitment to address housing challenges across the State by enabling appropriate growth in areas across the state.
Following a decade of Labor mismanagement, new housing approvals fell 36 percent despite significant population growth, locking Queenslanders out of housing and forcing almost 50,000 onto Labor's social housing waitlist.
The regional Residential Activation Fund is a key pillar of the Crisafulli Government's Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan, breaking down the barriers to unlock more land and build more homes.
Applicants with projects that are ready now can apply for funding to build infrastructure for infill or greenfield sites, such as water supply, sewerage, stormwater, power and roads.
Councils and landowners in regional Queensland are now invited to take advantage of the Regional Activation Fund and submit applications.
Applications will be assessed on local housing needs and the community benefit.
Speaking in Wide Bay, Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie said the Residential Activation Fund was needed to unlock more housing.
"As I visit Wide Bay today, it's clear that the Residential Activation Fund will accelerate the development that regional communities need," Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
"We're honing in on projects that can rapidly deliver essential infrastructure like water, sewerage, and roads that will underpin thriving regional communities to overturn a decade of Labor's Housing Crisis.
"Investing in new infrastructure to deliver more homes also takes the pressure off existing communities dealing with congestion, protecting their lifestyle by planning for growth.
"Under Labor, not one cent from their Housing Investment Fund delivered a new home. We are investing in enabling infrastructure to kick-start housing across the State."
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett welcomed the $1 billion regional guarantee for the Residential Activation Fund, to enable more housing in all areas of the State.
"Housing in the regions was taken for granted under Labor, but we are taking action to unlock land and build a place to call home for Queenslanders around Wide Bay," Mr Bennett said.
"We're backing shovel-ready projects to accelerate home construction right across the region."
