New housing fund to unlock major Cairns development site: James

A Far North MP is urging Cairns Regional Council to apply for funding to accelerate construction in the city’s southern growth corridor with $500m up for grabs for “shovel ready” projects.

Vacant land at Mt Peter in the Cairns southern growth corridor, part of the city’s last major greenfield site available for residential development. Picture: Brendan Radke

A Far North MP is urging Cairns Regional Council to apply for funding to accelerate construction in the city’s southern growth corridor with $500m up for grabs for “shovel ready” projects.

The LNP has announced the first round of its Residential Activation Fund (RAF), designed to fast-track the infrastructure needed to build new dwellings across the Sunshine State.

It comes with the council currently seeking $300m from the state and federal government to start works between Gordonvale and Mount Peter, creating 3800 potential new dwellings in the near future.

Member for Mulgrave, Terry James and Member for Barron River, Bree James are encouraging councils and landowners to apply for funding through the LNP's Residential Activation Fund. Picture: Supplied

The investment would be a major step towards building new homes on the last major greenfield development site in Cairns, which is critical to the city’s future, Member for Mulgrave Terry James said.

“The RAF will fund missing pieces of critical infrastructure like roads, water,

sewerage, and has the power to unlock and kickstart housing developments across the

state,” the former Cairns mayor said.

“Whether it’s 5000 new homes in Cairns or 50 new homes in Charleville, this new

fund is the infrastructure game changer needed to unlock new homes across

Queensland.”

Of the $2bn fund, at least half will be invested in regional Queensland, as part of

a bigger plan for one million additional homes across the State by 2044, Member for Barron River Bree James said.

“We’ve guaranteed $1bn specifically for regional Queensland, because we know

how urgently our communities require new housing,” Ms James said.

“We’re focused on delivering more homes by getting construction moving in Far North Queensland.”

Cairns Regional Council has presented its report aiming to accelerate growth in the city's southern growth corridor and secure further funding from the state and federal government.

Delivering quality infrastructure in a staged process would lead to a better outcome for future residents living in the southern growth corridor, Division Two councillor Matthew Tickner said.

“We want to see people who want to live in Mount Peter. We don’t want to see people have to live in Mount Peter. We want these to be sustainable, liveable communities,” Mr Tickner said.

Last month, the Cairns Chamber of Commerce revealed building approvals had dropped by a whopping 14.5 per cent last year in Cairns.

The figure is in contrast to a more than 21 per cent jump across Queensland over the same period.

Mr James said the RAF is part of the LNP’s Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan, aimed at breaking down the barriers to building and delivering more new homes sooner.

Councils and landowners can apply for funding to build infrastructure for infill or greenfield sites, such as water supply, sewerage, stormwater, power and roads.

Originally published as New housing fund to unlock major Cairns development site: James