{"id":315474,"date":"2022-03-29T18:55:35","date_gmt":"2022-03-29T08:55:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/?p=315474"},"modified":"2022-05-03T20:25:47","modified_gmt":"2022-05-03T10:25:47","slug":"kcci-joins-push-for-housing-summit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/southburnett.com.au\/news2\/2022\/03\/29\/kcci-joins-push-for-housing-summit\/","title":{"rendered":"KCCI Joins Push For Housing Summit"},"content":{"rendered":"
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FLASHBACK: KCCI vice-president Jacqui Hull, president Damien Martoo, member for Nanango Deb Frecklington and secretary Paula Greenwood at a KCCI Meet ‘n’ Greet … the KCCI is backing a push by the CCIQ and other peak industry bodies for a National Housing Summit (Photo: Supplied)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

March 29, 2022<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has joined with other business organisations across the State to express concerns about the housing crisis in Queensland.<\/p>\n

The Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) said 11 Chambers of Commerce were highlighting how the crisis was affecting regional Queensland businesses.<\/p>\n

“It\u2019s hard to employ people when there is nowhere for them to live,” a CCIQ spokesperson said.<\/p>\n

“From the far north to the south-west corner of the State, Queensland businesses are facing disruptions to their ability to grow and scale as the widespread housing crisis puts pressure on the labour force.”<\/p>\n

The other Chambers to join the CCIQ campaign are from Bowen, Caloundra, Canungra, Gladstone, Goondiwindi, Hills and Districts, Kilcoy, Logan, Redlands and Stradbroke Island.<\/p>\n

CCIQ spokesperson Amanda Rohan said regional Queensland businesses were disproportionately affected.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re hearing as part of CCIQ\u2019s Regional Policy Committees the housing crisis is widespread and in some regions the impact on local businesses is critical,\u201d Ms Rohan said.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lack of housing accessibility in those regions makes it all the more difficult for the right skills to relocate to the right places, when and where they\u2019re needed most.”<\/p>\n

KCCI president Damien Martoo said the situation in the South Burnett was “desperate”.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u201cWe are seeing more people sleeping rough in our region which is something that has never really been visible before,\u201d Mr Martoo said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur manufacturers and trades are desperate for skilled staff who want to come to work in the region but due to the lack of accommodation they cannot get here. If they do, they are paying for motel accommodation.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe ongoing issue is having a negative impact on people’s wellbeing and consumer confidence.<\/p>\n

“If people don’t feel secure in their housing they will be pinching every penny in the hope to find anything even if it is outside of a comfortable budget.\u201d<\/p>\n

The CCIQ has joined other peak groups in calling for a National Housing Summit.<\/p>\n

They have written to the Federal Housing Minister Michael Sukkar and the Shadow Housing Minister Jason Clare urgently seeking a National Housing Summit to kickstart a collaboration of all tiers of government and industry.<\/p>\n

The letter details the impact a “perfect housing storm” is having on Queensland and its resulting social challenges for individuals, families and local communities.<\/p>\n

The peak bodies calling for a National Housing Summit are:<\/strong><\/p>\n