$178 million jobs and housing bonanza for Queensland

Work is underway on the biggest ever investment in social housing infrastructure since the Chifley era – the first phase of which will see the construction of 585 new social housing dwellings across Queensland by the middle of next year.

Federal Minister for Housing, Tanya Plibersek and Queensland Housing Minister Karen Struthers today inspected work on two suburban lots in the Brisbane suburb of Mt Gravatt where construction workers are building eight new social housing apartments.

The lots have been funded from a $40 million social housing fund announced last November under the National Affordable Housing Agreement – one of several packages designed to stimulate the construction sector during the global financial crisis.

This funding means that 141 new social housing dwellings will be built across Queensland by June 30, 2010.

In addition, 444 new social housing dwellings will be delivered across the state by July next year at a cost of $138.6 million under the Stage One of the Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

“We wanted to move quickly to kick-start the economy, so we asked the Queensland Government to provide us with a list of projects to fast-track so that work could start straight away,” Ms Plibersek said.

“This $1.53 million social housing redevelopment in Mt Gravatt is an example of the types of social housing projects being delivered in a partnership between the Australian and State Governments.

“There are thousands of similar housing projects planned under the Rudd Government’s Nation Building Economic Stimulus Plan.

“We are determined to do everything we can to support jobs and apprenticeships in the construction industry in these tough global economic times.

“There will also be positive flow on effects to suppliers, small businesses and local economies.

“This funding will make a significant dent in the Rudd Government’s plan to halve homelessness in Australia by 2020.”

Queensland’s Housing Minister Karen Struthers said it was a win for workers in the local building industry and a win for people who need a roof over their head.

“We’ve given the Commonwealth Government an undertaking that the new social housing developments in Stage One will be ready for tenants by mid next year,” Ms Struthers said.

“It’s an ambitious target and it’s an important target because we believe that nothing should stand in the way of jobs for Queenslanders and homes for people who need them most.

“It comes at a time when jobs and job security are more important than ever before,” Ms Struthers said.

The Mt Gravatt redevelopment is on land owned by the State Government since 1953. Previously, there were two three-bedroom houses on site.

Construction of eight two-bedroom apartments is expected to be completed by mid-November.

Brisbane-based company Rainbow Builders Pty Ltd was awarded the construction tender.