Construction is underway on 63 new social homes in a growth suburb close to a major public hospital.
The social housing development at Birtinya will include a mix of units with one, two or three bedrooms for vulnerable locals.
The project was approved by Sunshine Coast Council in April 2023 and facilitates a five-storey development on a 2622sqm block off Kawana Way, close to the Sunshine Coast University Hospital precinct.
The basement structure of the building is now in place and the project is due for completion in mid-2026.
It will have a minimum of 61 car parking spaces, including at least 45 for residents and 16 for visitors.
The units will be accessible to meet the needs of seniors and people with disabilities. The complex will also feature communal areas to help build a sense of community.
The state government’s 2025-26 budget includes $43.9 million to expand and improve social and community housing on the Sunshine Coast.
Housing Minister Sam O’Connor, who visited the site on July 15, said social and community housing developments were critical to creating stable, sustainable communities that supported economic and social inclusion.
“The Crisafulli Government’s first budget delivers $5.6 billion for social and community housing – the biggest investment Queensland has ever seen – and this Birtinya development shows what that funding will deliver,” he said.
“With other local projects in the pipeline, it means accessible, secure homes for more vulnerable Queenslanders to have a place to call home.”
The budget also locks in a 20 per cent uplift in support for specialist homelessness services across the Sunshine Coast and more than doubles funding for head-leased properties to house the Coast’s most vulnerable people over the next four years.
Deputy Premier and Member for Kawana Jarrod Bleijie said the budget was focused on long-term planning for a growing state and delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders.
“Our first budget is delivering record investment in social and community housing, with the Sunshine Coast a key focus,” Mr Bleijie said.
Across the Sunshine Coast, 240 social homes are already under construction or under contract to be delivered. This includes 70 social and affordable homes under construction at Beerwah, 26 social homes due to start construction soon at Sippy Downs and eight social homes under construction at Maroochydore.
It is understood the Birtinya project will be delivered by Blue CHP Limited, which provides social, affordable and disability homes across eastern Australia. It has been in operation for more than 15 years and delivered more than 2000 homes.
