Council’s $1 million gift: Creative plans for local leaders to fix housing crisis

Housing experts have lauded creative solutions already being used by local governments to help solve the housing crisis, but say much more could be done. VOTE IN THE POLL

Moreton Bay council has waived more than $1 million worth of fees to get a community housing project off the ground in the local government’s latest response to the crisis.

The green light to build 82 social and affordable homes in the rapidly expanding region comes after the council revealed it would hand over council land for new developments to house locals sleeping rough.

Mayor Peter Flannery, who a broad range of housing experts and homeless service providers say has emerged as one of the state’s most progressive local government leaders in responding to the housing crisis, said “we had to act”.

“We’ve seen homelessness grow by 92 per cent over the last decade in our city, so while this is an Australia-wide housing crisis we are acutely feeling the pinch,” he said.

“I know housing affordability and homelessness are the responsibility of the state and federal governments, but the fact is Moreton Bay’s figures had become shockingly high and someone had to do something.”

The waiving of the fees will allow Brisbane Housing Company to provide dozens of homes for older residents in need.

Rebecca Oelkers, CEO Brisbane Housing Company, and Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery at the site of the proposed new housing.

The council’s bold bid to stem the tide of the crisis comes as fellow local governments were urged to introduce similar incentives such as reducing development fees and infrastructure charges.

Other local leaders have adopted more creative solutions to find beds for those in need, from Brisbane council’s campaign to house the homeless in the vacant Pinkenba facility to Ipswich council’s shop top living proposal — a move to convert unused spaces above stores, cafes or offices into residential living.

“Council does everything in its power to support more housing availability,” Ipswich Councillor Andrew Fechner said.

Darren Mew, executive manager at affordable housing developer Bluechp, said he was buoyed by a recent surge in councils proposing solutions but he insisted far more could be done.

He implored local government leaders to be creative in how space can be reimagined to increase supply and density, suggesting spaces above public infrastructure such as rail and community sports centres were prime for affordable homes.

“At the moment, local governments across Australia are responsible for providing community facilities which are effectively a social service — sporting centres, neighbourhood centres, libraries,” Mr Mew said.

“There’s no reason why those community facilities shouldn’t be extended to provide long-term affordable housing above in an integrated way which creates a far more dynamic community.

“And where are those centres created? They’re placed right in the middle of where people need them. So why not get people to live there as well?”

Anglicare Central Queensland chief executive Carol Godwin said, in previous years, councils would wash their hands of housing pressures and defer blame to the state government.

But she said the extreme nature of the crisis has led to a number of local governments in her region stepping up to the challenge, including Rockhampton, South Burnett and Mackay.

Ms Godwin said housing was in a “diabolic position”, and urged councils across the state to unlock land, waive development fees, and relax zoning laws for the purpose of improving supply.

“We have system where there is no availability and where affordability is at an highest,” she said.

“On all fronts, it’s a crisis.”

Homeless peak body Q Shelter’s policy manager Jackson Hills said councils in Moreton Bay, Noosa, Sunshine Coast and Gympie were “really ramping up plans in the housing space”.

“While we acknowledge it has not always been part of the LGA remit, the situation is so dire, it requires every level of government, private sector and community to put their shoulder to the wheel,” he said.