In another win for Bundaberg Regional Council’s Housing Action Plan a State Government social housing project has been delivered in Gin Gin after Council gifted land to the State.
The development consisting of five two-bedroom dwellings was completed on 20 May.
The land was gifted by Council in December 2023 as part of a proactive audit of surplus Council land to identify lots suitable for affordable or social housing.
Division 3 representative Councillor Deb Keslake said the new homes were a welcome addition to the Gin Gin community.
“Across the region we are experiencing a need for more homes and greater diversity in the housing stock, including affordable and social housing,” Cr Keslake said.
“Identifying and offering Council land for social housing is a key way Council can contribute to filling that critical need.
“It was wonderful that the project has been delivered within 18 months.”
The properties now form part of the Queensland Government’s housing assistance program.
Queensland Government Minister for Housing and Public Works Sam O’Connor said the project was representative of the collaborative approach needed.
“These are exactly the kinds of partnerships that we want to see more of,” Minister O’Connor said.
“The housing challenges in front of us can’t be solved by government alone, and this project is a great example of what can happen when we work together to get homes out of the ground sooner.”
Bundaberg Local Housing Action Plan
Council adopted a Housing Action Plan in May 2024 in a joint initiative involving the Queensland Government, Council and the Local Government Association of Queensland.
The plan included 26 recommendations to address homelessness and housing shortages in the Bundaberg Region.
Cr Keslake said, while housing and homelessness remained primarily the responsibility of State and Federal Governments, the Gin Gin development was an example of Council’s housing plan in action.
“Through the plan, Council actively supports the State and Federal Governments to deliver more social and affordable housing in the region,” Cr Keslake said.
“Council also continues to strongly advocate for infrastructure reform and funding for the benefit of our community.”
The Bundaberg Local Housing Action Plan was delivered with funding support from the Queensland Government.
