Queensland election 2017: Greens’ social housing plan slammed

HUNDREDS of thousands of units would be built under a Greens social housing policy reminiscent of Cold War Eastern European cities.

HUNDREDS of thousands of units would be built under a Greens social housing policy reminiscent of Cold War Eastern European cities.

The party’s “home for all’’ plan proposes the construction of 200,000 government-owned rental dwellings over the next decade, including 65,000 in Brisbane.

The housing explosion, equivalent to 325 extra 30-storey apartment high-rises, would double the rate of development already forecast in the city council’s infrastructure plan.

The Iron Curtain-style policy was slammed as “reckless” by the Property Council Queensland.

Executive director Chris Mountford said there were two possible outcomes: It would eliminate the industry, turning the Government into the sole residential developer; or the scale of extra development would overwhelm the ability to provide infrastructure and protect green space.

Real Estate Institute of Queensland CEO executive Antonia Mercorella said the influx would cripple the rental market which was already oversupplied.

Political opponents labelled the policy hypocritical, coming from the Greens who have opposed numerous property developments, citing concerns about overcrowding and loss of lifestyle.

But Amy MacMahon, Greens candidate for South Brisbane, which is one of the state’s fastest-growing areas and where there is fierce concern over development, said: “Our number one priority is ensuring every Queenslander has somewhere safe and secure to call home.

“We need something pretty dramatic to address the housing crisis.’’

The $60 billion initiative would be funded from a combination of mining royalties, slugging developers for increased land values, a vacancy tax on used properties and $50 billion of government borrowing.

Rents, set at 20 per cent of income or 20 per cent of average rents in the area, would be reinvested in building more affordable homes. The aim is to have one million by 2050, taking the proportion of social housing from 2.7 per cent of all dwellings to one in five.

Medium-density housing is planned across the state but there would be a concentration in high-growth suburbs.

Over the first decade, the number of social housing units around the state would more than triple from the current 75,000.

Ms MacMahon said countries such as Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands had successfully introduced large proportions of social housing.

Priority in the first two years would go to clearing the 29,000-strong social housing waiting list, but the “universal’’ program would be available to people on any income.

She said medium density was planned across the state but acknowledged there would be concentration in high-growth areas, such as South Brisbane and other inner-city suburbs.

She said population growth would still attract private developers and rejected suggestions it would drive down property values.

People accepted development was inevitable so long as it was done in consultation and was supported by schools, hospitals and public transport infrastructure.

LNP planning spokesman Ian Walker said: “This is just another loony green policy that will devalue the house prices of thousands of Queensland families overnight.

“There are better ways to address housing affordability, including demand management and reducing the cost of construction,” he said.

Wharf bad for skaters says Sri

Greens councillor Jonathan Sri says the $3 billion Queen’s Wharf development should be blocked because it will stop homeless people sleeping rough and deter skateboarders.

In a formal submission, he said at least a fifth of the 2000 luxury apartments planned for the new tourism precinct should be turned over to social housing.

Jonathan Sri. Picture: Liam Kidston

In his objection to the Queen’s Wharf integrated casino-resort, the Gabba ward city councillor said: “At a minimum, the Government should have required the developer to provide at least 20 per cent of new apartments on the site as affordable community housing or social housing.

“The fact that 2000 apartments and 600 luxury hotel rooms are proposed to be built on government-owned inner-city land without including even one single social housing dwelling is deeply embarrassing to the Queensland Government and reflects poorly on the values of the developer.”

Cr Sri attacked a crime prevention design recommendation to counter skateboard tricks. “The suggestion that skateboarding in public places constitutes anti-social behaviour is a close-minded and offensive position that is completely out of step with contemporary public sentiment.” He called for a dedicated skate park in the development.

Originally published as Queensland election 2017: Greens’ social housing plan slammed