Labor calls for critical infrastructure funding to energise Cairns’ ‘weak’ housing market

Cairns must be first in line to access critical funding to unlock the city’s southern growth corridor, with a Far North MP arguing that not enough is being done to address the city’s diabolical housing shortage. Tell us what you think.

The Cairns Regional Council is yet to approve housing development on old sugar cane land around the Mt Peter housing estate, despite the developers completing earthwork and readying contractors to begin construction on the much needed new houses. An aerial view of where the new homes would be built near Mt Peter, south of Cairns. Picture: Brendan Radke

Cairns must be first in line to access critical funding to unlock the city’s southern growth corridor with a Far North MP arguing not enough is being done to address the city’s diabolical housing shortage.

Member for Cairns Michael Healy joined deputy opposition leader Cameron Dick in calling for the region to have first access to the state government’s $2bn Housing Infrastructure Fund on Monday, with the application period set to open soon.

It follows shocking new data released by the Cairns Chamber of Commerce revealing the extent of Cairns’ housing crisis this week, with building approvals having dropped by a whopping 14.5 per cent last year in Cairns.

Member for Cairns Michael Healy says he is concerned by slowing building approvals across the region. Picture: Brian Cassey

The figure stands in stark contrast to a more than 21 per cent jump across the Sunshine State during the same period.

Mr Healy said it was critical that the demand for new houses across the region was now met.

“I haven’t seen in my 34 years of living in this region these kinds of issues arise,” he said.

“We’ve got developers who want to continue to build. People are talking about there not being a big enough investment in trunk infrastructure which is essential.

“We need to be building 1000 homes a year, if not more, and we need to see that happening as soon as possible.”

Deputy Queensland Opposition Leader, Cameron Dick wants funds from the $2bn Housing Infrastructure Fund spent on improving infrastructure in Cairns’ southern growth corridor. Picture: Richard Walker

Accessing funds from the HIF to connect more new builds to the Edmonton Waste Water Treatment Plant was the next step, Mr Dick said.

“If trunk infrastructure is the issue, then the deputy premier (Jarrod Bleijie) must release funding from his $2bn infrastructure fund to facilitate that development immediately,” he said.

“The deputy premier has been trumpeting that funding … we’ve got a ready-made development here in Cairns.

“(Member for Mulgrave) Terry James needs to be a strong voice for this region and hammer the door down to get that funding for trunk infrastructure tomorrow.”

Member for Mulgrave Terry James says the criteria for the Housing Infrastructure Fund will be released soon. Picture: Liam Kidston.

On the HIF, for which $1bn is guaranteed for regional areas, Mr James said the criteria for applicants would be released next month.

“Those applications will be available for private developers and basically for anybody,” the former Cairns mayor said.

“So we’re waiting to see what that criteria is and then the money will come out within the first budget, so it will be available in the new financial year.

“Applications won’t open until the criteria comes out, and I’m not privy to that at this stage.”

During his visit to Cairns earlier this month, Mr Bleijie said the HIF was “about unlocking land now”.

“The $2bn infrastructure fund is absolutely accessible to Cairns Regional Council, developers, the private sector, churches and charities,” he said.

“If they come to the government and say we want to unlock a certain amount of land, we need assistance with trunk infrastructure … that’s going to be the priority for our $2bn infrastructure fund.”

Cairns Chamber of Commerce says building approvals are laggine behind the rest of the state. Picture: Brendan Radke

Industry leaders have argued for years that a failure to develop the necessary infrastructure to build more residences in Mount Peter is threatening to decimate the housing market and contribute to already skyrocketing land prices.

The failure to fast track housing on the southside has sparked fears that fewer residences could derail the city’s economy and lead to an exodus of skilled workers in years to come.

Originally published as Labor calls for critical infrastructure funding to energise Cairns’ ‘weak’ housing market