A $2 billion fund to ease the “roadblocks” preventing more housing from being built in Logan is at the city’s disposal.
The city’s mayor, Jon Raven, says more funding is needed to pay for essential facilities like a new wastewater treatment plant in the city’s west.
“If we don’t get funding for a wastewater treatment plant, we will not be able to approve more houses in Logan in just over two years,” Cr Raven said.
“That’s how serious this is and that’s why this fund is so timely.”
Landowners, community housing providers and local government’s across the state can now apply to share $500 million of roads, water, sewage and other shared infrastructure needed to build new developments.
The entire $2 billion fund will be spent over four years.
While Logan will have access to only a portion of the $500 million pool, which Cr Raven said could be spent in total by council in just two years, the state government expects the fund will fast track critical housing infrastructure.
“We have to put more supply into the market, and if we don’t we are going to see more of the same,” premier David Crisafulli said last week at a development on Greenleaf Grove, Bahrs Scrub.
“Because of a lack of homes, there’s been a feeding frenzy at the bottom end of the market.
“That means that people haven’t been able to get into a home – to buy, to rent, or the vulnerable with a roof over their head.
“This fund is a dedicated fund that says we are open for business as a state, we want to see more homes on the ground, and we’ll do everything we can to unlock the roadblocks so that Queenslanders can unlock the front door into their home.”
Half of the funding is reserved for south east Queensland.
Cr Raven said $100 million for Logan would be “a good start”.
“I could spend the whole half a billion in about two years for [the premier] if he wants me to, because we’re growing that quickly,” he said.
“We are doing all the heavy lifting when it comes to addressing the housing crisis and the only risk to that is not having enough money to build the critical infrastructure to unlock more housing.
“That’s why I’m so excited to see the premier and the deputy premier here today in Logan talking about this residential activation fund.
“There are so many homes that are waiting to be built in Logan right now.”
The first round of funding prioritises shovel-ready projects, focusing on residential developments where housing infrastructure can be fast-tracked.
Projects will be assessed on local need for housing, as well as demand, scale and benefit to the community.
Construction must start in the coming year.
Visit statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/residential-activation-fund to apply.
