Bundaberg council to plan for 1300 new houses near hospital

The Bundaberg Regional Council will undertake precinct planning for 1300 homes near the hospital, primarily for hospital workers.

The Bundaberg Regional Council has been given $150,000 to undertake precinct planning for 1300 homes near the Bundaberg Hospital, primarily for hospital workers.

A statement released by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s office on Friday said a total of 80 projects across Australia will receive funding under Stream 1 of the $1.5billion Housing Support Program, including 73 local government projects and seven under the states and territories.

This funding will support master planning and development projects to accelerate housing supply and ensure residential growth in local communities is accessible, affordable and sustainable.

Construction begins on new Bundaberg Hospital

The new Bundaberg hospital is expected to bring more jobs to the region. Now the council has received the money to develop a precinct plan around it for up to 1300 homes for hospital staff.

This will help unlock the construction of new homes across Australia.

Some of the successful projects receiving funding include:

$150,000 for Bundaberg Regional Council to undertake precinct planning for 1300 dwellings (including medium-density, affordable housing) around the Bundaberg Hospital, primarily for hospital workers

$1.5 million for Blacktown City Council for housing capacity studies and planning strategies around nine train station precincts, with the potential to deliver 50,000 dwellings

$1.2 million for the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning for a Planning Cadet Program to boost planning capability within regional councils

$160,000 for Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council for a Future Housing Supply Strategy expected to enable 66 well-located homes in remote Queensland

$355,000 for the South Australian Department for Trade and Investment to establish a Bachelor in Urban and Regional Planning at Flinders University, to commence in 2025

The Housing Support Program is one of a range of measures designed to help achieve the national target of building 1.2 million new, well-located homes over the next five years.

It also forms part of the $32 billion in new housing initiatives through the Homes for Australia plan.

States, territory and local governments are encouraged to apply for Stream 2 of the Program which also opens today (9am AEST 5 July 2024).

This $450 million stream will provide funding for enabling infrastructure that supports housing, such as roads and utility connections, and community amenities like parks, footpaths and public spaces.

Applications for Stream 2 of the Housing Support Program will be open until 5pm AEST 16 August 2024.

For more information on the Program, including a full list of successful Stream 1 projects, visit www.infrastructure.gov.au/territories-regions-cities/cities/housing-support-program.