Local Government Housing and Advocacy Plan
Let’s conquer Queensland’s housing crisis
The crisis point: Overcrowding in Queensland’s remote and discrete First Nations communities
A desperate housing shortage is putting First Nations children at a disadvantage at school and setting back health care and life expectancy as families are forced to live 18 people in three-bedroom homes in at least one Queensland First Nations community.
Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council Mayor Wayne Butcher said: "You are never going to sort the problems of life expectancy, health and education if you don’t get to the roots of the problem – which is a lack of adequate housing to go along with the growth of the community.
"In Lockhart River on the Cape York Peninsula, there’s an average of three generations living under one roof.
"That’s why we’ve always lobbied the Federal Government to invest in housing – in line with the Closing the Gap Policy.
"It effects the health situation of the household – but also the education challenges amongst the children."
The solution: Queensland councils are calling for $100 million per year for five years from the Federal Government to Close the Gap and reduce overcrowding.
The funding would build new homes for Queensland’s remote and discrete First Nations communities and improve health and education outcomes for present and future generations of First Nations Australians.
Read the full six-point action plan from the Queensland local government: https://www.lgaq.asn.au/qld-housing-crisis
Watch: Lockhart River Mayor Wayne Butcher discuss overcrowding in his community