Developers sign up to a $350m scheme where they don’t pay for housing estate infrastructure

Developers are rushing to sign up to a $350 million fund to help build infrastructure for much-needed new Gold Coast housing.

Developers are rushing to sign up to a $350 million fund where the State Government will build infrastructure to get much needed new housing estates on the Gold Coast.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon on Sunday revealed her Homes for Queenslanders plan, covering the cost of infrastructure charges and development application fees for new homes, has been a virtual sellout.

The scheme attracted more than 220 applications from developers in just two weeks.

This equates to potentially more than 12,000 new homes and 4000 lots - some on the Coast, with others in Brisbane and far as Cooktown in the State’s north.

Of the applications received, more than 60 per cent relate to projects with development approvals which could be brought forward, ranging from “gentle” density to medium and high rise developments.

By covering known infrastructure costs, the fund will also prevent these costs being passed on to homebuyers, promoting housing choice and improving affordability, it is envisaged.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon, the MP for Gaven, announcing the success of a scheme which will see quick approvals after 220 applications were received from developers to fast track housing builds.

The department will assess applications, and where a project fails to fit the criteria, that unfunded allocation is to be released in new rounds to keep accelerating the delivery of new homes.

Government sources suggest up to 90 projects are expected to start up before the end of the year.

The guidelines make clear affordability is critical and will be prioritised through the assessment process, a source said.

Ms Scanlon, who visited Envi Micro Urban Village development at Lenneberg Street in Southport, welcomed the scheme support.

“When we said we’d slash red tape and support industry to build more homes faster, we meant it,” she said.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon inspecting construction brought forward on new social homes at Runaway Bay. Picture: Adam Head.

“What’s clear is there are pockets of land close to public transport, jobs and schools that are underutilised. That needs to change if we’re to meet the demands for housing in Queensland.

“We’ve listened to industry who told us they have projects ready to go, they just need that little bit of extra support to make it shovel-ready.

“We now have evidence this lever should be pulled because it is has attracted significant interest in bringing forward new supply.

“Meanwhile the LNP have been busy voting against 30,000 social and affordable homes, and now putting up barriers to stop thousands of Queenslanders from buying their own home.”

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