Community
27 September, 2024
Dream homes
WORK started this week on Queensland’s biggest social and affordable housing project at Woree, jointly funded by the Albanese and Miles Labor governments.
It’s aimed at older Queenslanders who are looking to downsize from their current home and in turn free up larger homes for families.
The $400 million 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, a 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, and 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.
Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2026, weather and construction conditions permitting.
Construction methodologies, 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.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who was in Cairns last week to launch the project, said “housing changes lives and my government is determined to work with the Queensland Government to deliver more homes all across the state”.
“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,” he said.
Premier Steven Miles said the 490-home precinct was the biggest housing build in Queensland.
“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,” he said.
Cairns Regional Council expedited the initial development permit for the project and waived $8.6 million in infrastructure charges.
Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said it was “a long time in the making but I’m thrilled at today’s announcement that the old drive-in site will be transformed to deliver such a significant boost to our housing supply".
CHL Queensland state manager Alicia Follent said for many seniors, downsizing could be a daunting prospect, “but we will work with residents to ensure the transition is as smooth and rewarding as possible”.
To find out more visit https://bit.ly/4gBMNsC or phone 1300 245 468
