In Sandy’s recent Noosa MP Community Survey, some residents expressed concerns regarding young peoples’ ability to purchase homes and whether vacant government owned land can be utilised for housing.

In response, we have received the following from the Queensland Minister for Housing:

Ways the government is improving young people’s chances at being able to purchase homes

  • The Queensland Government acknowledges the unprecedented housing market conditions in Queensland and the impact this can have on people’s ability to obtain home ownership.
  • There continues to be significant growth in the property market which remains very attractive to investors based on lifestyle factors and the affordability of homes in Queensland compared to other markets. It is acknowledged that these factors can make it difficult for first home buyers to enter into the market or upgrade to larger homes to suit their needs in some locations across the state.
  • To assist Queenslanders to secure and sustain home ownership, the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works offers the following lending products:
  • Pathways Shared Equity Loan which assists Queensland public housing tenants into home ownership by entering into a partnership with the department to purchase a share of their home
  • Queensland State Housing Loan which assists public housing tenants to purchase the property they are renting
  • Queensland Housing Finance Loan which assists Queenslanders experiencing difficulty in obtaining finance from a bank or building society to buy or construct a home
  • Mortgage Relief Loan provides short-term help to Queenslanders who are having difficulties with their home loan repayments or local authority rates due to unemployment, accident, illness, or other unexpected or unforeseen crisis.
  • For further information on lending products available through the department, constituents are encouraged to contact their nearest Housing Service Centre or visit https://www.qld.gov.au/housing

Can vacant cleared land owned by the government be used for housing?

  • As part of the response to the Housing Crisis, the department continually reviews its vacant land portfolio to identify properties that may be suitable for future social housing redevelopment.
  • In addition, the department regularly reviews land added to the Government Land Register.
  • Consideration is given to factors such as property location, tenure, zoning and land use planning, amenity, service infrastructure, topography and accessibility.
  • Land identified as suitable for redevelopment for social housing is then subject to a detailed feasibility assessment prior to being progressively programmed to meet government commitments under future programs.
  • QuickStarts Qld will see 168 social homes commenced in Sunshine Coast by 30 June 2025, through an investment of $76.2 million, supporting more than 233 full-time equivalent jobs.
  • In addition, a further $398.3 million has been provided by the Australian Government under the Social Housing Accelerator to expand social housing supply, which will deliver up to 600 additional social homes. This will see an additional 37 homes commenced in the Sunshine Coast region by 30 June 2025.

Review of eligibility for social housing

As mentioned in our September 2023 Noosa 360 update, following Sandy’s advocacy, the Queensland Government ordered a review of the income limits for access to social housing that have not changed since 2006 and ongoing eligibility for existing tenants for social housing. We requested an update on this and have been advised the review is due to commence shortly and is expected to be completed by mid-2024.

Housing for domestic violence impacted families and households.

Following longtime advocacy, in June 2023, a partnership was announced between our local Bendigo Community Bank Sunshine Coast branches, known as Sunshine Coast Community Financial Services (SCCFS) and Coast2Bay Housing Group to deliver vital housing as part of RISE (which stands for Restart In A Safe Environment) for our residents impacted by domestic and family violence.

The contribution from Bendigo of $500,000, demonstrates how a difference can really be made. Sandy thanks the Board members of SCCFS including Chair Trish Radge and their teams, all residents who bank with them, and Coast2Bay who will be contributing just over that amount to purchase the site. Since this announcement, Coast2Bay has acquired land in Noosa, and construction is set to begin in July 2024.

House with no steps site (60 Fellowship Drive, Doonan)

Following on from our September 2023 Noosa 360 update, Sandy’s advocacy has continued in efforts to secure this site for an interim solution to our emergency, affordable and disability housing needs. This includes a Question on Notice (QON) in Parliament asking the Minister for Housing to intervene. Their answer is due 14 March 2024 and we will update once it has been received. The QON can be seen in the official Parliamentary Record (Hansard) at https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableoffice/questionsanswers/2024/34-2024.pdf

2023-2024 State Budget

As we approach consideration of the budget requirements needed for our Queensland communities for the State Budget, based on our previous correspondence, advocacy and emerging issues being experienced in the Noosa Electorate as well broader state, Sandy has asked for consideration be given to the below as priority inclusion for funding in the budget:

  • Extra funding for emergency housing by our local community housing providers, recognising the ongoing housing crisis.
  • Provision of localised partner funding for 24/7 staffing of emergency and housing support by the Salvation Army in Noosa to address the critical ‘gap’ being experienced as current services end 4pm Friday each week.
  • Social/community housing construction on government housing sites through upzoning to allow smaller units in order to allow downsizing to address the under-utilisation of public housing.
  • Funding to enable the provision of emergency accommodation by the Salvation Army in Noosa.
  • The funding of community housing in partnership with Coast2Bay land in Cooroy.
  • Construction of units on the government owned site in Doonella St, Tewantin with designs nearly completed
  • Increase the target for social and affordable housing to 10% of the housing stock.

Further information

Further direct advocacy regarding affordable housing in our electorate can be directed to the Queensland Minster for Housing via housing@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please cc’ our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive to us.

For our previous Noosa 360 updates on housing, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Housing.

For the full results of the recent Noosa MP Community Survey, please visit www.sandybolton.com/noosa-mp-community-survey-results-2023-2024