Logan Rail Corridor homes, once set for demolition, will be repurposed as public housing.
A local builder says the state government’s plan to repurpose 11 homes not only saves a useful commodity from destruction, but also keeps valuable materials out of landfill.
The homes sitting on the corridor – reported to be in Loganlea, Kuraby, Kingston and Logan Central – were resumed to make way for the Gold Coast and Logan faster rail project.
The first of the 11 homes was relocated to Sunnybank on 13 June and is currently being prepared for social housing.
The 10 other homes will be heading to Brisbane and Ipswich progressively in the next six months, and some will move to other government-owned land in Loganlea, Kingston and Logan Central.
The cost to relocate one of the homes sits somewhere between $250,000 and $350,000 depending on the size, distance and complexity of the move, according to a Department of Housing spokesperson.
The process can take between 26 and 32 weeks.
The houses are reported to add a combined 36 rooms to the state’s public housing stock list, with 9 three-bedroom houses, one four-bedroom house and one five-bedroom house.
Local builder Mark Uzzell said the plan was an effective use of state resources, especially considering “the current environment where we have less than 1 per cent rental vacancy rate and a shortage of buildings”.
“If you can take 11 homes that were destined to be demolished and house up to 36 people – that’s if it’s one person in a room, but it could be couples, so maybe more than 50 people – it’s a smart decision,” he said.
“It’s going to come at a cost, of course, but I don’t think the cost is exorbitant for what you’re getting.”
Mr Uzzell said this was a great achievement, and it was important to recycle valuable materials, so they don’t end up in landfill.
“By doing what they’re doing, they’re reducing landfill,” he said.
“So, to be able to repurpose these homes, instead of adding another 15 tonnes of rubbish into landfill, is a smart decision.
“There are many levels to this, and I feel it’s the right thing to do at this time.”
The spokesperson for the department of housing said “when moving a house, extensive planning is undertaken to determine the most appropriate method”.
“The homes will undergo some refurbishment and minor repairs to make them ready for their new tenants,” the spokesperson said.
“They will also be connected to services such as power, NBN, water and sewerage.”
