Work getting underway on Queensland’s biggest ever social and affordable housing project
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced the Cairns Seniors Community Housing Project thanks to a loan of up to $140 million from the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF).
Work is planned to start next week on Queensland’s biggest ever social and affordable housing project, jointly funded by the Albanese and Miles Labor Governments.
The big housing build will deliver 490 homes in Woree and will be the biggest social and affordable housing project to be built in Queensland.
It’s aimed at older Queenslanders who are looking to downsize from their current home, and will in turn free up larger homes for families.
The complex will include 245 social, 223 affordable and 22 specialist disability apartments.
The purpose-built, architecturally-designed precinct features modern, low maintenance and energy efficient one and two-bedroom homes for people over 55 and those with disability, and is set among landscaped gardens and picnic grounds.
The Woree site has direct access to transport routes, the Bruce Highway, the local shopping centre and the Woree Aquatic Centre.
The project is being funded through the Miles Government’s Housing Investment Fund, as well as lending from Housing Australia, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF) and ANZ as well as a capital grant from the National Housing Infrastructure Facility.
Community Housing Limited (CHL) and Tetris Capital are joining forces to deliver and manage the homes with construction undertaken by FCC Construction Australia and Modscape.
Adopting innovative construction methodologies to help solve the housing crisis, FCC Construction Australia will be joined by local modular housing supplier, Modscape, to help deliver the impressive package of works, with most of the materials and labour planned to be Australian sourced.
Once complete and tenanted, CHL will provide onsite staff and work with support partners to deliver lifestyle programs aimed at reducing social isolation and encouraging active lifestyles.
Construction is anticipated to be completed by the end of 2026, weather and construction conditions permitting.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
“Housing changes lives, and my Government is determined to work with the Queensland Government to deliver more homes all across the state.
“In spite of the No-alition of the Liberals, Nationals, Greens and One Nation we are determined to increase housing supply.
“This project will deliver hundreds of homes in regional Queensland, while complementing our plan to deliver thousands of homes through our Housing Australia Future Fund all around Australia.”
Quotes attributable to Premier of Queensland Steven Miles
“Every Queenslander deserves a safe place to call home.
“One of the most important things a government can do is build homes for the most vulnerable – something I’m proud to be doing every day.
“In Woree, this 490-home precinct is the biggest housing build in our state. That’s our Homes for Queenslanders plan in action.
“I have a plan to build more homes, faster while supporting first home buyers, renters and the most vulnerable, and I will do what matters every day to relieve the housing pressures we face while also planning for the future.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Northern Australia Madeleine King
“Every Australian needs a roof over their head and a place to call home.
“I’m very proud to be part of a Government that is taking practical steps to build more homes for more Australians.
“This project is a great example of how the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility is supporting social infrastructure and making lives better for people living in the North.”
Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Clare O’Neil
“This is about reducing housing stress for Queenslanders and Australians everywhere, because the more homes like these that we build, the more affordable housing becomes.
“This is a fantastically innovative project that shows the Commonwealth is back in the game of partnering with States, Territories and the housing sector to build housing at scale, and to make housing more affordable."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon
“To build more homes faster, we’re partnering with community housing providers and rolling out hundreds more modular homes. This project in Cairns does both.
“Our Homes for Queenslanders plan is delivering - whether it’s building or buying more social homes, working with community housing, helping first homeowners, supporting renters and those sleeping rough.”
Quotes attributable to State Member for Cairns Michael Healy
“It’s the Miles Government that has been doing what matters for the Far North – with $1,000 off power bills, 20 per cent off car rego and building more homes locally.
“I’ve fought hard for more homes to be built – because it’s what matters to our community - and I’m excited to see what is the largest social and affordable housing project in the state get underway in Cairns.”
