Housing incentives program There’s No Place Like Home will continue for another six months after the Bundaberg Regional Council initiative delivered positive outcomes for housing availability.
There’s No Place Like Home provides incentives for infill residential development through discounted infrastructure charges, reduced development application fees, delayed payment of charges and fast-tracked assessment processes.
Council passed a resolution to extend the policy at its Ordinary Meeting on Tuesday 24 June.
Established out of the Bundaberg Local Housing Action Plan, the incentive program commenced on 1 October 2024 and in nine months has been taken up by 19 qualifying developments.
Mayor Helen Blackburn said the program was a significant pillar of Council’s housing action plan.
“Since the introduction of There’s No Place Like Home incentives, Council has provided $71,714 in discounted application fees and fast-tracked the assessment of 55 development applications,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“In applying a 50% reduction in infrastructure charges, Council has given incentives to the value of $822,431, which will see the addition of 109 dwellings or extra lots when the developments are completed.
“The policy applies to infill land developments, which sees landowners or developers building on vacant or underused land within existing residential areas where infrastructure is already available, and where this housing is sorely needed.”
Delayed payment of infrastructure charges was also approved for three eligible developments with $177,031 deferred and $154,195 collected from development completed.
Mayor Blackburn said an extension of the program would allow continued momentum in housing growth while providing Council time to undertake a review of applicable charges and discounts.
“More housing of all types is needed across the region to address housing and accommodation shortages that impact many of our residents,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“By extending the current program beyond its original closing date of 30 June to 24 December, Council can continue to incentivise landowners and developers to fill that need within our existing policies.
“Over this extension period, Council will conduct a broad review of infrastructure charges and discounts to ensure that any incentives offered continue to target the areas of most need.”
Mayor Blackburn said industry stakeholders would be consulted during the review.
“Council will be reaching out to the community, and to industry, as part of the review process to ensure the revised parameters provide the greatest benefit to the region.
“Lack of housing has a flow on effect that puts pressure on our local economy, on our workforce and on our region’s capacity to thrive.
“Council has a responsibility to the community to ensure we are doing what we can to encourage appropriate development in areas where our current, and future, residents want to live.”
Read more about the Bundaberg Local Housing Action Plan on Council’s website.
