Bundaberg to get 60 new social housing homes

Those eligible will be welcomed into the new two-bedroom unit homes, which will be built close to schools, public transport and shopping services in Walkervale.

St Vincent de Paul Qld CEO KEvin Mercer - 60 new homes, which are expected to break ground in the new year, will be run under the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland and will be made available under the state’s social housing program.

Bundaberg Labor MP Tom Smith announced a major housing boost for the region on Friday, with 60 new homes to help house those most impacted by the ongoing housing crisis.

The homes, which are expected to break ground in the new year, will be run under the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland and will be made available under the state’s social housing program.

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Those eligible will be welcomed into the new two-bedroom unit homes, which will be built close to schools, public transport and shopping services in Walkervale.

“This is an absolute game changing moment for social housing and the pressures that have been felt by the people of Bundaberg,” Mr Smith said.

“We know that the private rental market has collapsed through Covid and that it’s very, very difficult for people to get into that private rental market at the moment.”

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon at the site of a social housing development in Nerang, which is within her Gaven electorate.

The build falls under the St Vincent de Paul Society’s pledge to bring 500 homes in five years to the state, and is backed by $58.65 million in state government funding.

While the state, and the nation struggle under a building supply collapse, Mr Smith said he was optimistic about the project starting as planned.

“Of course, we know that it’s a very tight market when we talk about construction and making sure that we are getting builders, however we are absolutely determined here in Queensland to work with all of the contractors that we can,” he said.

Bundaberg is not the only location to benefit from the program, with 27 homes planned for Newtown and 60 homes planned for Nerang.

The total projects across the three locations will cost more than $70 million, with the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland contributing the land and more than $12 million.

The funding is falling under the states QuickStarts program, a $5 billion housing investment which aims to welcome 13,500 social housing homes by 2027.