Qld Labor to fund almost 500 affordable homes in Greater Brisbane

The state government is set to build 483 new affordable homes in Greater Brisbane’s “key growth suburbs”, including the Moreton Bay and Logan regions, where local councils have demanded increased funding ahead of next month’s election.

The Labor government said 349 of the houses would be built in the Moreton Bay suburbs of Burpengary East and Joyner, with the remaining 134 earmarked for Logan Reserve and Jimboomba, south of Brisbane.

Construction is expected to begin next month in already partly established estates, with the first tenants tipped to move in from mid-2025, and the final home to be complete by mid-2027.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon said on Sunday the money would come from the state government’s $2 billion housing investment fund.

“Whether it’s building or buying ... the fund has meant thousands of additional homes being built and coming online that otherwise wouldn’t have been possible,” she said.

“These homes will give young families, couples and individuals an affordable place to call home.”

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon says the state’s $2 billion housing fund has provided homes to thousands of Queenslanders.Credit: Matt Dennien

Of the nearly 500 houses, over half were expected to be three-bedroom affordable homes designed to house young families in areas deemed “high growth”, and where the state estimates about 85 per cent of residents earn low to moderate incomes.

The announcement follows this month’s launch of the “Moreton Bay matters” campaign, which outlines the top priority for the region, which Moreton Bay Council says has “been underfunded by successive state and federal governments”.

The campaign hinges on a report the council commissioned last year into state expenditure in the region, which found Moreton Bay consistently fell into the lower bracket of funding – often claiming last place.

“When it comes to state government services other than roads, Moreton Bay receives $42 less per [person] than the south-east Queensland average,” mayor Peter Flannery said during a special meeting about the findings in October 2023.

And when it comes to roads, he said Moreton Bay was the lowest-funded south-east Queensland council.

He added that the population was expected to boom in the region. On Sunday, a spokeswoman confirmed the most recent population data puts the number of Moreton Bay residents at one million within the next four decades.

“If we are to shoulder [this population increase], the Queensland government needs to put its money where its mouth is. Show us the money,” said Flannery last year.

The top-five priorities of the council’s campaign include housing, community infrastructure, road improvements, safety, and wildlife initiatives.

Deputy Opposition Leader Jarrod Bleijie said the Labor government had routinely failed to deliver on key issues.

“I would simply say to Queenslanders, if the Labor Party haven’t been able to address the issues of housing, youth crime, cost of living and health in the last 10 years, why on earth would you reward them by giving them another four years?” he said.

“If you do [re-elect Labor], the failures will continue.”

The LNP revealed its housing policy in June this year, promising it would fast-track approvals to deliver “1 million extra homes by 2044” if elected on October 26.

It also promised financial support to those buying a home for the first time by removing stamp duty on new homes and offering a shared-equity home-ownership program.

Start the day with a summary of the most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.