Plans lodged for housing development on Fountain St Emu Park

A development application for a housing project aimed at single-parent families has been lodged which, if approved, would see more than 20 factory-built homes constructed in the coastal town.

Concept designs for a proposed housing development on Fountain St at Emu Park.

A project including more than 20 modular homes is closer to getting off the ground with plans for the affordable housing lodged with Livingstone Shire Council.

The proposed project, which was announced by the State Government in May, will see 26 factory-built homes, predominantly aimed for single-parent families, in a “gated community style” estate at Emu Park.

According to the development application, lodged on behalf of AnglicareCQ, the homes are to be built on a 1.573 hectare block of land on 99-115 Fountain St.

“Queenslanders are no stranger to the major impact the Covid19 pandemic has had on the cost of living and housing demand, supply and affordability,” the document states.

“Pressures on the residential housing market were heavily influenced by low interest rates, government aided economic stimulus and labour and construction material shortages whereby the rate of property purchases far outweighed the production of new houses, causing a significant shortage in housing availability which then provoked the rapid spike in property and rental prices.

Concept designs for a proposed housing development on Fountain St at Emu Park.

“These pressures are not just concentrated to the capital cities but are experienced just as heavily in regional areas. As a consequence of this, many folk across all ages and abilities have been displaced from long-term rentals and pushed out of the market completely, leaving very few options to put a roof over their head.”

The block was one of two council-owned parcels of land that was contributed to AnglicareCQ in April 2023 to underpin the project’s feasibility.

According to the plans the 26 homes will all be two bedrooms and accessible, and will be constructed for the long-term stay of residents.

Each of the homes will be demountable-style and have one bathroom, a european style laundry and open plan kitchen, living and dining area.

The homes will also have a single covered carport with a small garden shed, bin storage and a private backyard.

The development will also include a communal outdoor area with a playground, basketball court and undercover barbeque area.

The external boundary of the property would also be fenced, forming a gated community style town house estate.

Concept designs for a proposed housing development on Fountain St at Emu Park.

If approved construction for the housing development is forecast to begin late this year.

The project is part of the State Government’s Home for Queenslanders plan, which includes bolstering its social housing big build to deliver 53,500 more social homes by 2046.

Land for housing developments in the Livingstone Shire Council area caused some controversy in 2023 after some parks were earmarked for potential projects.

In August last year a controversial idea to have Flinders Park, a state-owned block of land at the Capricorn Coast, converted into freehold land for a possible residential housing development was quashed.

A public meeting was held in the park by, then deputy mayor, Adam Belot where a crowd of about 180 people gathered and more than 150 signing a petition opposing the move.

Councillors then unanimously decided residential development was not supported at Flinders Park.

The proposed development at Emu Park will be subject to development approval and public notification.

Originally published as Plans lodged for housing development on Fountain St Emu Park