Council nod to boost housing

APPROVAL of a large housing development on the Tablelands will help alleviate a shortage of residential blocks.

Mareeba Shire Council has approved a proposal which will result in 39 new lots.

Mareeba Shire Mayor Angela Toppin and six councillors approved the application to expand the Amaroo Estate by reconfiguring a block on Emerald End Road.

“In recent times there has been a decrease in the availability of residential land for development purposes around Mareeba,” Ms Toppin said after Wednesday’s council meeting. “This one has come forward because the last stages of Amaroo have all but gone.

“This is welcome because we know there is growth, with young families wanting to move into the area, and Amaroo is a great attraction.

“It is on the corridor towards Kuranda and Cairns where some commute for work.

“It’s a welcome addition to our shire and we welcome it in terms of a future residential development.”

The new lots in stages 11 and 12 will range in size from 820 sqm to 3862 sqm with MSC noting the upgrade to water and sewerage infrastructure that has taken place during the past five years meant that part of the settlement was “keeping up with the development”.

The northern Tablelands has been a target for those hoping to take advantage of the government grants available to construct a new dwelling with local real estate agents noting vacant land was being snapped up.

Jacqui Webb from Ignite Financial NQ said Tablelands mortgage brokers had seen a “huge increase in inquiries” from clients ready to access the stimulus money.

“All up there is $45,000 on the table in an unprecedented level of support from the government,” she said.

“There is a bit of time pressure, with grants available for contracts signed between June 4 and December 31, and local builders have been inundated with requests for quotes and are working hard to ensure they can meet the deadlines.”

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