‘No apologies’: Govt buys 85 beach cabins for social housing

The Queensland government has tapped into its $1bn Housing Investment Fund to buy and convert 85 beach cabins into social and affordable housing for struggling families.

The Queensland government has tapped into its $1bn Housing Investment Fund to buy and convert 85 beach cabins into social and affordable housing for struggling families.

Housing minister Meaghan Scanlon said the Miles Government helped purchase Barney Beach Accommodation in Gladstone for long-term housing needs – part of a plan to deliver one million more homes including 53,500 for social housing needs.

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The beach cabins are 80 metres to Gladstone’s only beach and some cabins have ‘glorious harbour views’ according to booking websites it was listed on.

“We make no apologies for using the Housing Investment Fund to deliver more homes faster while we build,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Our Homes for Queenslanders plan is pulling every lever possible, whether that’s buying former retirement villages, accommodation parks and hotels; building modular homes and supporting the Federal Government’s Help to Buy shared equity scheme.”

The Friend St project, in partnership with affordable housing administrator Roseberry Community Services, will see 20 social housing units made available and 65 affordable homes 80 metres from Gladstone’s only beach.

Queensland housing minister Meaghan Scanlon is on a mission to get as many homes as possible in the pipeline. Picture: Liam Kidston

“The LNP have made it clear they will not use the Fund to purchase homes, which means they don’t support projects like this partnership with Roseberry,” Ms Scanlon said.

“Instead of supporting more homes through initiatives like this, the LNP are too busy blocking 8,000 Queenslanders from buying their own home by blocking Help to Buy legislation.”

The purchase comes as new Proptrack data found rental price growth rose 3.3 per cent in Brisbane and 4.2 per cent in regional Queensland in the past year to now sit at $620 a week across the state.

The beach cabins are being repurposed to provide safe housing to “those who need them most”.

Roseberry Queensland general manager Jo Paringatai said “with the repurposing of the existing premises in Barney Beach, now called the Friend St Village, we are increasing access to affordable homes and creating a place where individuals and families can lead safe and fulfilling lives in secured environments”.

Member for Gladstone Glenn Butcher said it was an example of the government doing what matters, locking in 85 homes for the community.

The Barney Beach Accommodation in Gladstone will now be used for long-term social and affordable housing needs.

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The move follows the state government buying a former serviced apartment in Gladstone for 34 self-contained social homes in partnership with Regional Housing Limited, the purchase of a former inner-Brisbane hotel and a 124-home former retirement village in Logan.

Roseberry chairperson Erin Robertson said the project would give “safe and secure homes to those who need them most”.

*The Gladstone Housing Service Centre can be reached on 07 4899 2400 during business hours or call the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.

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Originally published as ‘No apologies’: Govt buys 85 beach cabins for social housing