A MULTI-BILLION dollar housing deal between the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments is set to unlock more than 51,000 new homes across Queensland, including major growth areas such as Southern Thornlands.
The $2.4 billion agreement includes more than 20,000 homes exclusively for first home buyers, with funding to support enabling infrastructure such as roads, sewerage, water and power upgrades.
Southern Thornlands, alongside Mount Peter and Waraba, has been identified as one of the key Priority Development Areas (PDAs) to benefit from the funding injection.
The Australian Government will contribute $2 billion, made up of $399 million in grants and $1.6 billion in zero-interest concessional loans, while the Queensland Government will match the $399 million grant funding.
The first homes for first home buyers are expected to be completed by mid-2028.
The agreement forms part of the Commonwealth Government’s commitment to help deliver 100,000 homes for first home buyers nationwide, while also contributing to the Queensland Government’s target of building one million homes by 2044.
Federal Minister for Housing Clare O’Neil said the investment would help unlock more affordable housing opportunities for Queenslanders.
“We’re investing in the boring but essential infrastructure like roads and sewerage that help us unlock more homes for Queenslanders, because the more homes we build, the more affordable housing becomes,” Minister O’Neil said.
“Thanks to this agreement we’ve reached, there will be thousands more Queenslanders getting the keys to their own home.”
Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers said the agreement was aimed at helping more Australians break into the housing market.
“We know it’s too hard for too many Australians to buy their own home and get ahead and that’s why we’re investing in building more homes, making our tax system fairer and putting first home buyers ahead of foreign investors,” the Treasurer said.
“Our Budget is about building more homes, helping more Australians realise the dream of homeownership and giving younger Australians a leg up in the housing market.
“We’re coming at this housing challenge from every responsible angle, and this Budget builds on our ambitious housing agenda.”
Queensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said unlocking housing supply was a major priority for the Crisafulli Government.
“More homes across Queensland are needed and fast, and a key way the Crisafulli Government can play its part is to unlock land and deliver supply, supply, supply,” the Deputy Premier said.
“Availability equals affordability and by providing funding to get the vital infrastructure like roads, water, sewerage and power in place, the builders can get building.
“More and more people are wanting to become Queenslanders every day, and we’re working to ensure they have a place to call home.”
Queensland Housing Minister Sam O’Connor said the partnership would help fast-track critical infrastructure needed to support new housing developments.
“We’ve worked hard to secure our fair share through this new partnership because unlocking more housing supply is our number one priority,” Minister O’Connor said.
“The Crisafulli Government is making Queensland the building capital of the nation by cutting red tape, unlocking land and investing in the infrastructure needed to get more homes underway sooner.
“We’re delivering practical solutions that boost supply to create opportunities for more aspirational Queenslanders to achieve the dream of home ownership.”
The housing package also builds on a range of existing measures, including the Commonwealth Government’s 5 per cent deposit and Help to Buy schemes, the delivery of 55,000 social and affordable homes through the Housing Australia Future Fund, Queensland’s extension of the $30,000 first home owner grant until June 2026, and the State Government’s Land Activation Program aimed at unlocking underutilised land for housing development.
