Woree 490 affordable and social home project still awaiting funds 12 months after unveiling

A 490-home project is in bureaucratic limbo as funding for the development remains uncommitted, although “close to being finalised,” almost 12 months after plans were initially unveiled.

The Woree drive-in has been approved for a 490-home development.

The state’s largest social housing project is in bureaucratic limbo as funding for the development remains uncommitted — “although “close to being finalised” — almost 12 months after plans were initially unveiled.

It’s understood the proponents of the 490 social and affordable home project at Woree’s former Cairns Coral Twin Drive-In are “in the final stages” of negotiating funding streams with there being a “slim chance” finances fall through.

It’s believed the final piece of funding required for the development set to be managed by Community Housing Limited is to be sourced from the federal government, with money also to be allocated from the state’s Housing Investment Fund.

Asked, if awarded federal funding, would the state government be in a position to readily lay down capital, a spokesman for Queensland housing minister Meaghan Scanlon said the project would instead become ready “for final assessments”.

Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon. Picture: Liam Kidston

In December last year, Cairns Regional Council waived infrastructure charges for the development geared for over 55s in a bid to address the region’s crippling housing crisis – currently underscored by a 0.6 per cent rental vacancy rate.

Hearing news of the funding wait, Division 3 councillor Cathy Zeiger said it sounded like a “bureaucratic hold up”.

Ms Zeiger pointed to the state government’s recent and sudden cost of living measures, stating “there’s scope to make things happen, if you want them to happen”.

“I think surely you could fast-track the funding for a project like this,” Ms Zeiger said.

Cairns Regional Council Division 3 councillor Cathy Zeiger says the wait on the 490-home Woree development seemed like a bureaucratic hold up. Picture: Brendan Radke

“In the middle of a housing crisis, 490 homes, that could benefit almost 1000 people – the solution is ready to go – wouldn’t you fast-track that?”

A Housing Australia spokeswoman confirmed the Woree project was not an applicant of the federal government’s Housing Australia Future Fund, which in fact, had not made any allocations since its conception.

She said however there were multiple streams of funding available at a federal level which the Woree project could qualify for.

Community Housing Limited was contacted, but could not comment beyond “what was already provided” by the state housing minister.

A concept image of the 490-home Woree development which was unveiled in September 2023. Picture: Supplied

A Cairns development industry source with knowledge of building costs and current constraints said the estimated value of the entire project would be about $250m “on the lower end” and said it seemed unlikely construction would begin this year.

Further, a Cairns Regional Council spokesman confirmed no operational works applications had been submitted for the site – a process required to start works such as earthworks.

The site of the former Cairns Coral Twin Drive-In, now approved for a 490-home development.

Cairns MP Michael Healy confirmed the proponent was “working through federal arrangements” and the project “remained on the cards for Woree”.

“The LNP candidate for Cairns needs to ask her party why they voted against home ownership for 8000 Queenslanders.”

Yolonde Entsch, the LNP’s Cairns candidate, expressed her disappointment in the timeline of the project.

“This project is a no-brainer that should have been prioritised, not left in bureaucratic limbo,” Ms Entsch said.

“With every month of delay, the costs increase, as does the suffering of those who are in desperate need of affordable and social housing.”

Originally published as Woree 490 affordable and social home project still awaiting funds 12 months after unveiling