Media Release by The Hon Tanya Pibersek MP

Rudd Government program saves Plantation Palms homebuyers $20,000

Joint Media Release with:

  • James Bidgood MP, Member for Dawson

Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek and Member for Dawson James Bidgood today announced that 400 home buyers at Plantation Palms would save $20,000 each as a result of a new $8.5 million Housing Affordability Fund project.

The $8.5 million will be used by Mackay Regional Council to build infrastructure, undertake investigation and consultation into housing density options and to instigate planning reforms to speed up the new housing development.

During a visit to Plantation Palms today with Mr Bidgood and representatives from Mackay Regional Council, Ms Plibersek said that improving housing affordability was a major priority for the Rudd Government.

“The $8.5 million being provided to Mackay Regional Council under the Housing Affordability Fund will reduce the price of 400 new homes at Plantation Palms by around $20,000.

“By bringing forward by four years the time taken to complete the estate, it will also reduce the price of a further 600 homes by $5,000.

“This is a great outcome for new home buyers in this rapidly growing region of North Queensland,” Ms Plibersek said.

Mr Bidgood said he was delighted that the Housing Affordability Fund was unlocking affordable housing supply and improving housing affordability at Plantation Palms.

“The excellent partnership between the Rudd Government, Plantation Palms Estate and the Mackay Regional Council proves good quality, affordable living is not out of reach of homebuyers in Mackay,” Mr Bidgood said.

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Col Meng said $8.5 million would go a long way towards providing affordable housing to in the growing Mackay region.

“With a projected population growth in excess of 3 per cent over the next 20 years, it’s estimated 80,000 more people will be living in the Mackay region in 2031 – that’s 80,000 people that will require housing.

“It’s our role as a council to find ways to accommodate this population growth and the increase in demand for alternate and more affordable housing that results – this partnership is one way of achieving that.

“We are extremely grateful for this funding and the support from both parties, the Australian Government and Plantation Palms,” Councillor Meng said.

The Rudd Government is investing $512 million in the Housing Affordability Fund to reduce planning and infrastructure costs in new housing developments.