A lack of housing options for future residents is jeopardising major economic opportunities to help rural and remote communities like Etheridge and Murweh Shire grow.
According to Murweh Shire Council Mayor Shaun Radnedge, major projects slated to take advantage of booming livestock prices, like an $8 million expansion of Queensland’s largest sheep and goat abattoir in Charleville, are being threatened due to the critical housing shortage in the region.
“Without any local housing to rent, it’s virtually impossible for companies like this to attract new workers,” he said.
“And it doesn’t stop there. Council has been advertising outside our region for more staff to handle the increased tourism and commerce in our shire – but so far we have been unable to find the right applicants because we don’t have the sort of accommodation that appeals to them.”
In Etheridge Shire to the far north, Mayor Barry Hughes describes the housing situation as critical – especially in Georgetown.
“Employment opportunities are bypassing us based simply on the fact there’s not enough residences here in Georgetown to accommodate the demand,” he said.
“For the sustainability of our shire, liveability is a huge issue and having the quantity of housing to deal with the demand that’s here at the moment – and especially the opportunities here at the moment are a real concern for us as a shire.”
The solution
Queensland councils are calling for capital investment in social housing in Queensland to be quadrupled by allocating a further $4.8 billion over four years to increase social housing supply in areas of need.
The funding would help rural and remote communities continue to grow and unlock local commerce and industry opportunities.
Queensland councils have been campaigning to conquer the housing crisis and will be presenting a suite of suggestions and solutions at the Housing Summit hosted by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on October 20.
Additional proposed solutions include:
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Addressing land tenure issues to unlock further land for development by giving councils the authority to determine land use that is in the best interest of their communities.
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Amending the First Home Owners’ Grant to allow it to be available for the purchase of any new dwelling, any existing dwelling and for the renovation and refurbishment of existing housing stock.
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Amending the State Government’s Queensland Housing Finance Loan terms to increase the income threshold to make it easier for homebuyers in regional, rural and remote communities to access the scheme and purchase a home.
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Supporting local government in its bid to address post code discrimination by the banks in determining lending criteria in regional, rural and remote Queensland.
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Providing catalytic infrastructure incentives to entice developers to the regions.
Watch: Etheridge Shire Mayor Barry Hughes on the dire state of housing in his community