Modular homes: Thursday Island, Torres Strait to receive eight affordable homes

A Far North community struggling with overcrowding and poor health outcomes is set to receive a major boost with the construction of a series of new dwellings. See the designs.

A concept design of modular homes, of which eight are bound for Thursday Island, Torres Strait as part of the Queensland Government's Homes for Queenslander's scheme. Picture: Supplied

A Far North community struggling with overcrowding and poor health outcomes is set to receive a major boost with the construction of a series of new dwellings.

Eight affordable homes will be built for Thursday Island in the Torres Strait as part of the Queensland Government’s Homes for Queenslander’s scheme which aims to deliver 1 million homes by 2046.

The government has partnered with The Uniting Church in Australia Property Trust to provide affordable, modular housing for low-income households including young couples and small families.

The homes will be one or two-bedroom properties and are under construction by Oly Homes in a factory before being they will be transported to the Torres Strait later this year.

A concept design of modular homes, of which eight are bound for Thursday Island, Torres Strait as part of the Queensland Government's Homes for Queenslander's scheme. Picture: Supplied

Oly Homes owner Dale Funston said the modular homes would be built suitable for the climate and needs for the people of Thursday Island.

“Modular housing is a key tool to help ease the housing challenges in the state, and we’re pleased to see the government taking up the opportunities that come with building modular housing,” Mr Funston said.

Cook MP Cynthia Lui also praised the use of modular builds.

“We know that in remote areas of the state, like Thursday Island, land supply and construction costs make the delivery of new homes more challenging,” she said.

A concept design of modular homes, of which eight are bound for Thursday Island, Torres Strait as part of the Queensland Government's Homes for Queenslander's scheme. Picture: Supplied

“Modular houses are a fantastic way for us to deliver more homes in our communities, alongside traditional builds.”

Queensland housing minister Meaghan Scanlon defended her government’s Homes for Queenslander’s scheme, which had been criticised as “too much” stating 600 modular homes across the state were part of the plan.

“They take less time to build than conventional construction, and because they’re built inside a factory, aren’t hampered by weather delays during construction.

“To build more homes, faster we’re partnering with community housing providers and utilising both our public builder QBuild and Queensland businesses to deliver hundreds more modular homes.”

Reverent Bruce Moore, moderator of the Uniting Church in Australia, Queensland Synod said he was grateful to be bale to provide the land required for the construction of the homes.

The eight homes are a timely announcement for the region crying out for better healthcare – set to be boosted with improved residential living standards.

The state government last week announced the construction of two, two-bedroom affordable homes at Mareeba under the same scheme.

Originally published as Modular homes: Thursday Island, Torres Strait to receive eight affordable homes