Warwick Uniting Church reveals affordable housing plan after government funding received

A housing scheme proposed more than a year ago to alleviate rental stress in the region is moving ahead. Here’s when it will be done.

Planning documents provided to Warwick Daily News reveals the 10 unit plan accessed from Guy Street.

A proposed development on unused, vacant parcels of church land is moving ahead after government support was announced.

First proposed in June 2023, Warwick Uniting Church’s plan to create 14 new units at Killarney and Warwick in the Southern Downs was received as a much needed reprieve for the rental crisis hitting our region.

The Warwick development of ten affordable units - seven one-bedroom and three two-bedroom, and two of each at Killarney are designed to help individuals experiencing housing insecurity.

The Warwick site will have dual access from both Guy St and Stacey St, while Killarney development will be located on Eucalyptus St.

The move, which will use existing and unused church land to build private units, comes at a time when many are finding it impossible to find an affordable rental close to the Warwick CBD.

The Synod of the Queensland Uniting Church this month announced it had partnered with the Queensland government and the Housing Investment Fund.

Warwick Uniting Church on Guy St.

Reverend Bruce Moore, moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, said the new townhouses would be a testament to the church’s commitment to local communities.

“We are excited to be working with the Queensland government to deliver affordable housing for regional Queensland families,” Mr Moore said.

“Our local congregations have deep roots in the Darling and Southern Downs communities and we thank them, and the Queensland government, for their commitment and partnership in helping to meet the needs of vulnerable people in our state.”

Mr Moore said the church expected work to commence at both sites by the end of 2024.

The church hopes the Killarney development to be completed by September 2025, and Warwick by October 2025, weather permitting.

“We know from the work of both our local congregations and our agencies that housing affordability and availability are significant issues facing Queenslanders at the moment. These developments will hopefully assist in easing some of these pressures and we’re delighted to be able to play a part in meeting the practical needs of our communities,” Mr Moore said.

“As a church, we are open to new and innovative ways of serving our communities, working in partnership with congregations, government and other organisations where relevant.”

Planning documents provided to Warwick Daily News reveals the 10 unit plan accessed from Guy Street.

Local Warwick Uniting Church reverend Ansie Liebenberg said in 2023 she realised there was a real issue with housing in Warwick when it literally approached her doorstep.

“We had a homeless person living on our doorstep with his tent for eight months, and our congregation befriended him, this was part of our journey to discovering the human story behind homelessness and the challenges that people facing those conditions experience,” Ms Liebenberg said.

Rev Ansie Liebenberg with Margaret Wells of the Warwick Uniting Church (Photo: file)

“We’ve discovered in our encounters there’s a whole world out there that’s growing and increasing in need and we can’t keep silent about that, pretend we don’t see it and we can’t just step over the beggar at the door because we don’t want to encounter it.

“It is an opportunity for good people and the church to participate in the community like it was intended and make a difference. Together we can all do it, not one of us can do it on our own.”