Housing industry providing solutions

WE ALL know that Queensland is suffering a housing crisis with availability at rock bottom and rental vacancy in Townsville now at a measly 0.5 per cent.

To tackle the situation, a holistic approach to boosting supply, supported by significant funding and bold decision-making, is needed to challenge the status quo.

Over the past few weeks there have been a handful of welcome announcements from local, state and federal governments that have set the wheels in motion.

The federal government has recently unveiled a commitment to provide one million new “well-located” homes under a new National Housing Accord. A welcome announcement but one that won’t be delivered until 2024.

Last month, the Queensland Government’s landmark Housing Summit reinforced that the state is at crisis point and the private sector will be vital to providing the homes families urgently need.

When the outcomes report from the summit is tabled in Parliament in November the focus must not solely be on social housing but rather how the private sector, which provides around 97 per cent of housing in Queensland, can be swiftly enabled to deliver critical stock to market.

The Property Council has welcomed Townsville City Council’s recently announced Affordable Housing Action Plan which is set to implement a number of solutions needed to support the delivery of new housing.

The key aims of this plan will see more council-owned land made available for development, the conversion of under-utilised commercial buildings for residential use and stronger engagement with Townsville’s private sector.

We look forward to continuing to work closely with all levels of government.