Cairns Regional Council conducting strategic review of freehold parcels for sale to increase housing supply

Cairns Regional Council is considering the sale, lease or complete giveaway of almost 1000 of its properties for accommodation development purposes to alleviate the Far North’s housing crisis.

Cairns Regional Council has earmarked 934 of its properties for potential sale, lease or donation as a means of stimulating development of low-income housing.

The option was presented as part of the Council’s action plan on affordable housing and homelessness, but the review of the freehold parcels is not due for completion until 2026.

“This includes an audit of all council owned or controlled sites that contain dwelling-like structures that may be surplus to needs,” the report reads.

“These parcels could be contributed cost free, sold at a lower cost or leased at a ‘pepper corn’ rate as a means of stimulating development.”

Division 3 councillor Cathy Zeiger said councillors had not yet been told which properties had been tagged for review.

Division 3 councillor Cathy Zeiger addresses the Cairns Regional Council's action plan on homelessness and affordable housing at the ordinary meeting on January 25. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

“They’ve yet to present to us exactly where all those properties are,” Cr Zeiger said.

“The types of properties I thought they were reviewing are perhaps ones that weren’t being used to their potential. I know they identified one … an artist studio at the Tanks.

“But most properties council’s got are used to full utilisation, people are screaming for clubhouses … I know our sporting clubs are under leases so that’s pretty well out of the question.”

Several councillors lauded the report as it was presented at last week’s ordinary meeting, particularly for its comprehensive understanding of local problems and identification of stakeholders.

But Cr Zeiger felt the report spoke more to the power of the council as an advocacy body, rather than the solutions it can action in isolation.

“It’s quite a detailed report … the fact we’ve identified who’s doing what and who we can refer people to is a big step in itself,” she said.

“To me I just wish council could do more.

“Rates is one trigger, in-fill development is another … looking at authorising a little more higher density, looking at that from a zoning and planning perspective.

“I get frustrated with the different levels of government … where’s the action?”

The Cairns Regional Council unanimously endorsed the action plan on affordable housing and homelessness at its January 25 ordinary meeting. Picture: Isaac McCarthy

Cr Zeiger said the state government had under-supplied public housing for so many years.

“You can’t ignore the information in that report,” she said.

“It’s a tool to be used as we advocate … because we’re attending everything and talking to everybody, we’re pushing it.”

The action plan also considered financial relief for social and affordable housing providers, which included discounted or waived fees on council services, development assessments and rates.

“Through council’s (Covid-19) Investment Incentive Policy, council may waiver, in their entirety, the infrastructure charges payable for certain development types,” the report read.

“This measure proposes council undertake a holistic review to explicitly consider all potential levers to sustain or stimulate access to social and affordable housing … This includes a review of the differential rating structures.

“The review may also consider options related to temporary accommodation types, that at times can be disrupters to the long-term housing supplies; for example, Airbnb.”

Originally published as Cairns Regional Council conducting strategic review of freehold parcels for sale to increase housing supply