Residents sound alarm over vacancies in defence homes

Questions are being asked about the management of defence houses in Townsville as locals struggle to find homes in the rental market.

Vacant DHA homes in Aitkenvale.

Dozens of homes owned by the federal government’s defence housing organisation have been sitting vacant in Aitkenvale for years, prompting community concern they should be put to good use in the midst of a housing crisis.

There have been claims the homes have been left unkempt and vacant for little reason other than a minor lack of compliance with defence housing requirements or that asbestos, with the potential to cause mesothelioma, is present.

There are also suggestions the organisation, government enterprise Defence Housing Australia, plans to demolish the homes to develop a major unit complex.

A vacant DHA home in Aitkenvale.

Herbert MP Phillip Thompson has raised residents’ concerns with government, including Assistant Defence Minister Matt Thistlethwaite.

A vacant DHA home in Aitkenvale.

“A number of people have approached me about the vacant homes owned by Defence Housing Australia,” Mr Thompson said.

A vacant DHA home in Aitkenvale.

“We can’t have a situation where vacant homes are sitting unused and in a state of disrepair while we’re in the middle of a housing crisis, not to mention it’s a magnet for crime.”

A vacant DHA home in Aitkenvale.

Mr Thompson said some of the homes had been put on the private rental market and that DHA was working to add more once they’re habitable “but it’s taking far too long”.

A vacant DHA home in Aitkenvale.

Aitkenvale resident Andrew Hickson said some of the homes that had been vacant for six years, had been left open with gates banging in the wind and with smoke alarms sounding all night.

A vacant DHA home in Aitkenvale.

According to correspondence from the DHA last year, of 69 homes they owned in three blocks bounded by Leopold, Kenealy, Kimball and Nathan streets, 37 were vacant.

A map showing the 69 homes owned by DHA between Leopold and Kimball streets in Aitkenvale.

“A number of properties in Leopold Street are currently not fit for occupation or required a substantial upgrade in order to be safe for occupancy, hence these properties are no longer being made available. DHA is also considering divestment of this housing,” the correspondence says.

Vacant DHA homes in Aitkenvale.

Mr Thompson’s office has told residents a planned medium density development is on hold because of unfavourable building costs but that in the interim DHA is leasing some properties and has security and maintenance requirements in place.

REIQ Townsville zone chair Ben Kingsberry said the rental market was very tight in Townsville and not expected to ease in the short term. Family homes were in most demand, he said.

Mr Kingsberry said having DHA homes sitting vacant, costing the organisation money to maintain when they could be generating income, “seems like madness to me”.

Townsville City Council rezoned the land in 2014 to allow construction of medium density dwellings up to six storeys.

Townsville City Councillor for the Aitkenvale area Maurie Soars said residents had approached him concerned about the homes but he had been unable to get much of an explanation.

“It would be advantageous to our community if the (Defence) department could accelerate any plan they have because (the homes) seem to have been mothballed and we need housing. We’d be happy to help out,” Cr Soars said.

According to DHA’s 2021-22 annual report, the organisation manages more than 1200 properties in Townsville, employs 55 staff at its regional office but managed to refurbish and upgrade just one Townsville property in its portfolio that year.

In a statement, a spokesman for Mr Thistlethwaite said: “DHA is currently assessing future development options for (its) Aitkenvale properties. During this time, several vacant properties are being upgraded for short-term rental in the private market. The first 10 properties are expected to be available in late 2023, subject to the needs of Defence Force members and their families.”

DHA was approached for comment.

Originally published as Residents sound alarm over vacancies in defence homes