Toowoomba Chamber: City housing crisis needs to be tackled with unified effort

“I have been asked, why is the Toowoomba Chamber interested in being part of the housing crisis solution? The reasons for local businesses are below:

Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Todd Rohl

A housing crisis is gripping Toowoomba, and it is real.

I have been asked, why is the Toowoomba Chamber interested in being part of the housing crisis solution? The reasons are the lack of housing:

■ Is a deterrent to business attraction;

■ It is a disincentive to attracting a workforce;

■ Impacts on the ability of businesses to delivery their service;

■ Affects the image of a city; and

■ Inhibits business growth and success.

At the Toowoomba Chamber’s housing crisis breakfast we heard stories and solutions from five industry sectors.

Their stories definitively confirmed the current lack of housing and its impact on business. Stories of increased homeliness, not just for individuals, but families, stories of the lack of supply which lies steadfastly in government hands, stories of the lowest rental availability on record and challenges with affordability, stories of the potential decrease in delivery of health services and stories of the lack of housing to house workers.

These stories were telling.

They argued, urgent action is required, now, not in two or three years’ time.

Critically, as one speaker eloquently put it, if immediate action is not taken, the opportunities presenting itself to Toowoomba, now, through regional migration trends and existing pipeline of major developments being delivered by both private and public sectors, it will be an opportunity lost.

And I remain anxious, that the reports of our “Boom Town” will ultimately be impeded by the lack of housing supply. Aren’t you?

Since the breakfast, a growing chorus of stories has surfaced, not just from business, but the community.

New Toowoomba Chamber member, The Voices of Groom, is calling upon all levels of government to create a task-force to fully appreciate the breadth of the issues in Groom.

They have reaffirmed the voices of business through their community consultations. They have heard from the community that the solution to the housing crisis requires immediate action to both protect our most vulnerable members as well as to stimulate the middle economy.

They argue, young workers need to be enticed to our region. Increased affordable housing will allow Groom to build its economy from the ground up.

More young workers, mean more families which means more entertainment, education, and health jobs – our community’s largest employers – ultimately improving the liveability of Groom, specifically for young workers.

So, what can we do? The Toowoomba Chamber will drive in this critical city challenge by:

■ Leading an industry/community delegation to the State Government to ensure the recent budget announcement is implemented swiftly and to advocate for more housing for vulnerable people.

■ Supporting the Urban Development Institute of Australia and Advance Toowoomba by helping them to argue for the need for Toowoomba Regional Council and the State Government to expand the urban footprint and increase the priority infrastructure area.

■ Exploring what solutions there might be in our farming communities for potential housing.

■ Working with other groups like, Housing is a Human Right Toowoomba to investigate and deliver new and successful housing models and forms.

■ Seeking immediate support and action from the Australian Government.

This is a, our whole community issue. There is no need or time for any elected officials to be defensive. The private sector and the community simply, want action. And they want it now.

We all need to come together to find solutions for now and for our future generations.

And let’s not forget, the Australian Human Rights Commission who argue and I agree, that housing is a basic human right.

Imagine, how would you be feeling, if you could not find a home in Toowoomba to live in? What would you do?

Let the Toowoomba Chamber know your suggestions to fixing this significant community issue by emailing [e-mail].

Todd Rohl is the CEO of the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce.