An initiative to fast-track housing construction in Queensland has now paved the way for more than 100,000 new homes across the state.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Planning and Infrastructure Jarrod Bleijie said the first allocation in the second round of the Residential Activation Fund would fast-track more than 18,900 homes on the Gold Coast.
Minister Bleijie said the $146 million investment across multiple projects would bring the total number of homes unlocked to more than 100,000 in the past 18 months.
“Spread across three projects that will service new developments in Worongary, Robina, Pimpama, Coomera, Upper Coomera and Parkwood, the funding will fast-track critical trunk infrastructure including a major upgrade of the Merrimac Sewage Treatment Plant as well as other sewage, road and electrical works,” he said.
“The number of fast-tracked homes under the Residential Activation Fund has now rocketed past 100,000 in less than 18 months since the initiative’s launch, with thousands more to come as further funding is rolled out soon.”
Minister Bleijie said the Residential Activation Fund helped ensure essential infrastructure like water, sewerage, roads and power was in place to unlock more land in growing communities, which allowed homes to be built and moved into faster.
“Following the success of round one, which unlocked more than 98,000 homes across the State, and overwhelming interest by Councils and industry, the next round of the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund was fast-tracked, doubling round two to $1 billion in the recent budget.”
He said at least half of the second round of funding would be allocated to projects in rural and regional Queensland.
Gold Coast Acting Mayor Mark Hammel said the recent funding announcement would enable critical infrastructure to progress.
“This is the most significant amount of state funding the Gold Coast has received for critical City-owned infrastructure in decades,” Acting Mayor Hammel said.
“Support also for our Sewer Pump Station Upgrade project will see the City make significant improvements in our efficiencies and delivery of these services in key growth areas.
“As the Gold Coast’s population grows towards one million by 2040, It is vital we’re making the investments today to future-proof our infrastructure.”
