More than 100 affordable and social homes will be delivered as Bundaberg Regional Council and Regional Housing Limited partner to take real action against the housing crisis.
The two organisations have been collaborating on the housing project plans – which would ease the region’s current housing shortage – with Council resolving in its 27 May Ordinary Meeting to gift the land to Regional Housing for the delivery of subsidised affordable housing.
The Council land, known as the Gympie Estate, is an historical residential subdivision created by the State in 1888, well over a century ago.
It is bounded by Telegraph Road, the Ring Road, FE Walker Street and Mellifont Street and, while it is a significant parcel of land, not all parts of the site are capable of being developed.
Mayor Blackburn said the decision was a direct outcome of Council’s Bundaberg Local Housing Action Plan.
“While housing is not the responsibility of Local Government, we are committed to advocating strongly on behalf of our community,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“We welcome the State Government’s creation of a $2 billion infrastructure fund and we would love to see a fair portion of those funds funnelled into the Bundaberg Region to meet the growing demand for safe and secure accommodation in our region.
“Through our Housing Action Plan Council has been identifying excess council land that can be gifted to non-profit housing providers as our contribution to helping these projects happen as quickly as possible.”
Mayor Blackburn said the Gympie Estate was just one such example and for many months Council had been negotiating the gifting of the land to support Regional Housing to make its affordable and social housing project a reality.
“This land has long been identified as ideal for residential development and we believe we shouldn’t allow it to continue to sit vacant for another hundred years while our community has a significant need for additional and affordable housing.
“We will now work with Regional Housing to co-design a master plan for this large parcel of land which would see the delivery of in excess of 100 homes and, in the long term, the dedication of a significant area currently zoned residential into open space.
“The land is ideally located near schools, the new Kepnock Town Centre, parks and major transport infrastructure.
“It is currently zoned low density residential and is well-placed to connect to existing sewer and water infrastructure.”
Under the agreement, Regional Housing will need to have commenced the project within two years from the transfer of the land and be completed within five years.
Regional Housing would also be responsible for all costs associated with the works to deliver the development.
Regional Housing Business Development Manager Kris Robinson welcomed the Council decision which would allow the project to move forward.
“Today marks an important step forward in ensuring that more people in our region have access to secure, affordable and supported housing,” Mr Robinson said.
“We know the pressures many are facing, and we are proud to be working in partnership with a progressive council to deliver a project that will make a real difference in people’s lives.
“Our region’s rental market remains tight and with that comes a high demand for affordable accommodation, which is why this project is so crucial.
“We are not just building homes – we are building stability, opportunity, and resilience for the future.
“We look forward to working closely with Bundaberg Regional Council, the community, and other key stakeholders to ensure this project delivers meaningful outcomes”.
Following the decision, Council’s CEO has been authorised to enter into a Deed of Gift with Regional Housing Limited for the transfer of the land.
Furthermore, Council resolved that Council and Regional Housing Limited incorporate into the Deed of Gift a provision to limit the social housing component of the development to not more than 25% of the total project.
Mayor Blackburn said, while more social housing was critical for the region, the focus of this project was on affordable housing.
“Council will be collaborating with Regional Housing on the master planning which will also be made available for public consultation before coming back before Council for a final decision.
“The intent of this proposal is to see a mix of housing types with a limited percentage of social housing and a focus on affordable housing.
“The housing will be subsidised through the gift of land which removes a major cost to Regional Housing in the delivery of houses for residents currently unable to become homeowners.
“This is the most significant outcome to come out of our Housing Action Plan to date and we are so pleased to be partnering with Regional Housing to deliver a much-needed increase in the provision of affordable housing in Bundaberg.”
