Millions to be invested to boost development of more homes

THE Queensland Government will invest more than $70 million in four projects to deliver critical infrastructure needed to unlock land for residential development.

The projects will deliver major water, road and sewer upgrades needed to support new residential development across three communities – Kingaroy, Cherbourg and Kilcoy. 

A more than $62 million investment in Kingaroy alone signals the largest Residential Activation Fund investment in the region to date. 

The investments include: 

• $51.3 million for the Kingaroy Trunk Water Upgrade, delivering 8.4 kilometres of water mains, pump station upgrades and construction of two new pump stations to support housing growth in Kingaroy;
• $11 million for the Kingaroy Trunk Sewer Upgrade, delivering 5.5 kilometres of sewer gravity mains connecting to the Kingaroy Wastewater Treatment Plant;
• Almost $4.1 million for the Fisher Street project in Cherbourg, delivering 2.3 kilometres of water main, a new sewer pump station and sewer rising main; and
• $3.62 million for the Highwood Lane and D’Aguilar Highway Trunk Roadworks Project in Kilcoy.

The Residential Activation Fund is a key pillar of the government’s plan to unlock housing supply by investing in enabling infrastructure that brings forward new residential development across Queensland.    

The Fund program has now unlocked capacity for more than 163,000 homes state wide.

Jarrod Bleijie, deputy premier and minister for state development, infrastructure and planning, said the investment was a clear demonstration of the government’s commitment to building Queensland’s future.

“The RAF is pulling every lever to increase housing supply because you can’t build homes without the roads, water and sewerage infrastructure to support them,” Bleijie said.  

“We’re getting on with the job of delivering the infrastructure needed to unlock new housing opportunities across the state. 

“These four projects will unlock more than 710 homes while supporting growing communities across the South Burnett, and demonstrate what’s possible when government partners with councils, landowners and developers to remove barriers to housing. 

“The government has already unlocked more than 163,000 new places to call home through the Residential Activation Fund.

“Availability equals affordability and by ensuring supply is unlocked, while also delivering a record number of social and affordable homes and support for first homebuyers, we’re delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders.”

Kathy Duff, South Burnett Regional Council mayor, said the funding would be a game changer for the region.  

“This is the biggest investment I have seen from a state government in my over 20 years’ experience as a councillor and mayor,” Duff said. 

“Housing is at crisis point so this $62.3 million investment for critical trunk infrastructure like water and sewerage will open up our region for housing development not only now but long into the future.”