Deb Frecklington questions state government’s vacant Nanango home

The state government has been blasted for leaving a Nanango home empty for several years while homelessness is on the rise.

Deb Frecklington has questioned why a government-owned rental property has been left vacant for nearly three years during a housing and cost of living crisis.

As rents surge and homelessness is on the rise the state government is being questioned why one of its Nanango homes has been left vacant for years.

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The property at 43 Chester St, Nanango was vacated in June 2020 and has remained empty since, Member for Nanango Deb Frecklington said.

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Mrs Frecklington said the large, four bedroom home has sat empty while families from the region “desperately search to put a roof over their heads”.

The property at 43 Chester St, Nanango was vacated by its previous tenant in June 2020 and has remained empty ever since.

“It also begs the question about how many other state government owned homes there are like this that are left empty while vulnerable people can’t find accommodation,” Mrs Frecklington said.

Mrs Frecklington said she had contacted Minister for Public Works Mick de Brenni about why the property remained vacant.

“The minister claims there has been no demand for government employee housing in Nanango, and they are still deciding what to do with the home,” she said.

Mr de Brenni did not respond to questions relating to the Chester St house but said the government would build 11 employee houses in the Nanango electorate over the next two years to help ease rental market pressures for frontline workers.

“The government is making the biggest investment in homes for frontline workers in regional Queensland in a generation,” Mr de Brenni said.

Mick de Brenni said the Labor government will build 11 government employee houses in the Nanango electorate.

“That’s not just homes for more teachers, nurses, paramedics, and police, it frees up the market for others, puts downward pressure on local rental markets, and creates a pipeline of construction work for local tradies.”

Mrs Frecklington said it begs the question how many other government-owned homes were left empty while vulnerable people can’t find accommodation.

“I am calling on the state government to make a decision about the house as soon as possible so it becomes available for either social housing or the rental market,” Mrs Frecklington said.

Resident Helena Henry said the property should be used for short term accommodation.

“(It) should be used so people can get on their feet and at least get an address to look for work and suitable housing,” Ms Henry said.

A Queensland Health spokesman said the house is currently part of the Government Employee Housing portfolio, managed by the Department of Energy and Public Works (EPW).

“Queensland Health is in discussions with EPW about the possible transfer of the property to Darling Downs Health,” a spokesman said.

“This would open up future opportunities for DDH to potentially utilise this site, to better meet the health service needs of the area.

“This would also provide additional health staff accommodation options for DDH, in the immediate term, as they work to address workforce challenges across the region,” he said.