April 13, 2023
South Burnett Regional Council recently announced the second of four social housing projects which it is undertaking in conjunction with the State Government and Regional Housing Limited (RHL).
Council has provided underused Council-owned land in Kingaroy for this latest development which will consist of three new two-bedroom units.
The project will be undertaken by RHL with funding through the State Government’s Queensland Housing Investment Growth Initiative, QuickStarts Qld.
The Kingaroy project is the 500th delivered in the State by the QuickStarts Qld program.
“Social housing is important for all communities and our post-COVID population spike has increased demand for housing, including for social housing,” Mayor Brett Otto said.
“We are pleased to have formed a solid working relationship with the Bundaberg-based registered housing provider RHL. Our partnership is now providing real housing solutions and we
look forward to further positive community outcomes in coming months.”
Cr Kirstie Schumacher said many residents in the South Burnett were struggling with the rising cost of living and rental affordability.
“We have seen many families impacted by the increasing risk of homelessness and know there are many cases of residents overcrowding in the few rental stocks available,” she said.
“The Housing and Homelessness Forum demonstrated the housing crisis is a complex and challenging issue to address.
“The construction of these units is an important step in the right direction for the community, and even more important for those individuals and households that will live there.”
Council previously announced a two-unit project in Kingaroy through the same partnership and funding arrangements.
Cr Schumacher said the latest units will be designed and built to complement the existing neighbourhood.
RHL will organise the construction and manage the tenanting of the complex.
