Revealed: Government to streamline social housing application with Nerang units

New images for the first time show a social and affordable housing unit block being fast forwarded to help ease the Gold Coast accommodation crisis.

New images for the first time show a social and affordable housing unit block at Nerang being fast tracked to help ease the Gold Coast accommodation crisis.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said the Miles Government and St Vincent de Paul were partnering to deliver the homes in New St.

Ms Scanlon said the development was now up for a Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID), streamlining approvals to deliver more social and affordable housing quicker.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon announces new social housing unit block at New Street in Nerang. Designs: Plus Architecture.

The complex would include 60 social and affordable units, carparking, communal

open space and landscaping.

Around 50 of the one and two-bedroom homes were expected to be social homes, while the

remaining 10 would be affordable apartments. The designs are by Plus Architecture.

St Vincent de Paul is using the State’s streamlined MID process as an alternative to local council development applications.

The process is to be managed by the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Work with input from other government agencies.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon has released designs for new social housing unit block in New Street at Nerang. Designs: Plus Architecture.

Ms Scanlon, as the Planning Minister, will make the final decision on the MID after reviewing the assessment undertaken by the Department and community consultation feedback.

“The Miles Government is doing what matters for Queensland and pulling all levers to build

more homes,” she said.

“This project, alongside the almost 1000 social homes we have under construction, shows

that we’re already delivering our Homes for Queenslanders plan.

“Using this streamlined pathway means we can get shovels in the ground faster.

“It’s another example of how we’re partnering with community organisations like Vinnies.”

The unit block is in Ms Scanlon’s Gaven electorate. She won the marginal seat from the LNP in 2017, and improved her lead at the last election to 7.8 per cent.

The LNP has announced Sunrise reporter Bianca Stone will run against her, in what will be one of the key battles in the State poll in October.

But Labor has countered, announcing candidates this week in five seats as they plan to target the LNP in Burleigh and Currumbin along with retaining Ms Scanlon’s seat.

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