Toowoomba social, affordable housing project in CBD by BHC fast-tracked by Qld government

The state government fast-tracked an affordable housing company’s new 75-unit project in the Toowoomba CBD, with construction to start within months.

A major social and affordable housing project planned for Toowoomba’s CBD has been fast-tracked by the state government in a significant move.

BHC (formerly Brisbane Housing Company) says it is hoping to start construction this year on its 75-unit development, slated for land on Station Street in Toowoomba City.

The six-to-seven-storey project, first brought to the council in 2022, will include 25 units each of social, affordable and market-rate housing to help combat the shortage of rental accommodation in the city.

The council has agreed to sell the land, currently a public parking lot, with BHC expecting settlement on it in the coming months.

Now it can be revealed the Queensland government has declared the project a “state facilitated development” in line with the National Housing Accord.

The Station Street car park, which will be sold by Toowoomba Regional Council to Brisbane Housing Company for the purpose of building a new social and affordable housing project.

The declaration, made by former housing minister Meaghan Scanlon prior to the October election, means the state government will be the decision-maker rather than the council.

“This proposal has locational attributes including, but not limited to, the proximity to a range of community services and employment opportunities available within the Toowoomba CBD, as well as other amenities such as the Grand Central Shopping Centre, the nearby Queens Park and Laurel Bank Park and Toowoomba North State School that makes it highly suitable for delivering more well-located homes for Queenslanders,” the statement said.

“Approximately 66 per cent of total dwellings (in the project) will be provided as social and affordable housing, this allocation is provided across studio one and two-bedroom dwelling typologies.

“Units are to be rented at a maximum of 74.9 per cent of the market rent rate (and) the affordable housing is to be maintained for a minimum period of 20 years from first occupancy.”

A spokeswoman for BHC, which is responsible for social and affordable housing projects across the state, said the company hoped for construction to start by the middle of 2025. A contractor has yet to be appointed.

The update comes as Toowoomba’s rental vacancy remains below one per cent, a benchmark it hasn’t risen above since before the pandemic.

As of November, it sat at 0.7 per cent.

Originally published as Toowoomba social, affordable housing project in CBD by BHC fast-tracked by Qld government