Controversial Mundingburra social housing development set to open

A Mundingburra social housing development that sparked outcry when it was announced three years ago is set to open.

Mundingburra MP Les Walker and Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon explore the inside of one of the 18 new social housing units.

A contentious social housing development that sparked uproar when it was originally announced has been completed, with applicants already being considered for residency there.

The 18 apartment social housing development on Briarstreet Road in Mundingburra attracted scorn and fear when it was announced in August of 2020 under then Housing Minister Leanne Enoch.

The project was funded via a $7.13m spend by the state government, and includes 16 two bedroom units, and two four bedroom units.

It’s understood that considerations for residents to live there are already being considered, with the purpose-built complex set to be used to house the city’s ‘most vulnerable’, according to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon.

“These units are perfectly located – there’s a bus stop here and local shops and services. We’re trying to make sure that when we’re building social housing, it has that entire support network around it,” Ms Scanlon said.

Mundingburra MP Les Walker and Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon explore the inside of one of the 18 new social housing units.

“It is a really challenging time right now and we’re trying to attack the housing challenges we’re facing with a whole range of measures. Whether that’s providing people with rental grants or leasing current homes so we can provide them at more affordable rates – something the LNP criticised the other day – through to building new social homes.

“There is no quick fix, we’re trying to do what we can by delivering the biggest investment in affordable housing, but that takes time.”

A contentious social housing development in Mundingburra is finally completed, and will welcome tenants in the next few months.

Community opposition, centred around congestion issues, housing prices taking a hit and a fear that a rise in crime would occur were all cited as reason to oppose the development.

The project was proposed as part of a $100m Work for Tradies initiative under the state government, with a church and two houses being knocked down to make way for it.

Mundingburra MP Les Walker, who pushed for the project before it began construction, said that talks with the community since construction began had been productive.

“This is a beautiful product, and I think the community’s very impressed. It sets a nice benchmark when it comes to social housing, and I want to thank the Minister and the team from the department of housing,” Mr Walker said.

“They’ve kept all those issues in mind to make sure that it meets the needs of the local community and they’ve heard those requests loud and clear and they’ve embraced them.

“This product here addresses the issue very strongly, particularly for women with children who are fleeing domestic violence.”

Ms Scanlon said the first tenants would be moving in ‘within the next few months’.

Originally published as Controversial Mundingburra social housing development set to open