The state government has committed to building 32 new social housing units in Tewantin by mid-2027 as it continues to grapple with an affordable housing crisis.
The site at 26, 30 and 32 Doonella Street was acquired by the state in 2019 but it was not until last week that Housing Minister Sam O’Connor confirmed the project would go ahead.
Speaking in Parliament, Mr O’Connor said the project had been “sitting in limbo” since the land was purchased.
“When that site was acquired in 2019, the existing dwelling that was there was taken away not long after so it has been an empty site for six years,” he said.
“We have now appointed an architect to this project and design is commencing.
“The department will put a tender out for the construction of this project by the end of this year and the contract will be awarded early next year, with the project forecast for completion by the middle of 2027.
“This project will deliver 32 new social homes for the Noosa community – part of our commitment to deliver 53,500 new social and community homes by 2044.”
Do you have an opinion to share? Submit a Letter to the Editor at Sunshine Coast News via news@sunshinecoastnews.com.au. You must include your name and suburb.
Mr O’Connor acknowledged independent Noosa MP Sandy Bolton’s efforts in pushing for the project.
“I know the member has been a strong advocate for this project in her community over many years,” he said.
Ms Bolton said the project would help free up social housing in the region.
“This will allow social housing residents to downsize their tenancies to a wonderful location near shops, services and the river, as well take advantage of the government’s incentives of removal costs and make available the resulting 30-plus family-sized homes to our low-income worker families,” she said.
“This is about us all working together for the benefit of our community and I thank the minister for committing to the construction funding after what has been a very slow process since government purchased the site.”
Ms Bolton reiterated her call for changes to outdated social housing income thresholds, which have remained unchanged since 2006.
“It makes no sense that with the cost of living and inflation that this review is not finalised before the announced annual rent and eligibility checks start for all social housing tenants from July 1,” she said.
She has also requested that family-sized homes be transferred to community housing providers, who are not constrained by the current eligibility limits.
“We do not want any of our community impacted by outdated criteria,” she said.
Related story: Councillors vote to earmark land as potential housing site
Mr O’Connor said the project was part of the state government’s plan to incentivise downsizing.
“More than 30 per cent of the households on our social housing waitlist are families with children who are ready to accept housing as soon as it should become available,” he said.
“We are going to pay for removalist fees and we are going to give people rent-free periods if they decide to downsize. We want to have that choice available to as many people as possible.”
