Queensland housing summit the right move but bold measures must follow
Richard Dinnen - Queensland Editor |
Australian state and federal governments have never been keen to intervene in the housing market.
But with Queenslanders sleeping in their cars at night due to lack of rentals and social housing in critically short supply, there’s growing calls for the State Government to do more.
Its much-anticipated housing summit began quietly last Friday with a round of preliminary meetings. The main event will take place in October.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has said that “everything is on the table” at this historic meeting of government, social organisations, and housing industry bodies.
But she steered clear of any talk about moves to push down property prices, saying the market determines prices.
The Premier said having a home is a basic need, and affordable housing is urgently needed.
“Nothing is more important than having a roof over your head, and the stories of people without secure housing are heartbreaking.
“Affordable housing is critical to maintaining our great Queensland lifestyle.
“Many of the causes of the increased housing costs are national and need national solutions.
“I fully understand this is a tough time for many Queenslanders.
“All levels of government have a role to play in improving the current housing situation.”
The Queensland housing summit will involve key non-government stakeholders, including QShelter, Queensland Council of Social Service(QCOSS), the Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ), Property Council of Australia, Master Builders, and the Planning Institute of Australia.
It will look for ways to unlock land and housing supply, speed up social housing and attempt to get all levels of government and the private sector working more effectively together.
The likely participants have been quick to make their ideas and wishes known.
QCOSS CEO, Aimee McVeigh, said the Government needs to deliver on previously announced measures.
“We celebrated the record $2.9 billion funding announcement for social and affordable housing last year, but we need to see accelerated construction across the state.
“Queenslanders living in cars, tents and motels right now can’t afford to wait for the wheels of government to turn.”
Local Government Association of Queensland CEO, Alison Smith, said the housing crisis is impacting every local community across the state.
“Queensland councils are united in the call for action to address the housing crisis and increased investment in social housing is critical.
“So too is the need a national housing summit to bring all stakeholders together to find further solutions.”
Property Council of Australia Queensland executive director, Jen Williams, said incentives for investment through ‘build to rent’ projects will be crucial.
“We have reached crisis point in terms of supply.
“All options must now be on the table to not just deliver social housing, but to accelerate the supply of private rental and owner-occupied accommodation to ease pressure on the public system.
“The politics needs to be taken out of housing.”
REIQ CEO, Antonia Mercorella, said all levels of government have to work together to address the housing crisis.
“In many respects, Queensland has been the victim of its own success.
“Over the last few years, we’ve seen an extraordinary number of people rushing to call the Sunshine State home, but ultimately, we are buckling under that pressure.
“Supply chain issues are impacting our ability to build new housing.
“Queensland has experienced severe weather events and we also need to consider the impact key legislative changes are having on investment.
“We are in a housing crisis, and none of us want to be seeing families living out of cars or tents in our great state. We want an accessible, healthy market.
“We need a plan that transcends politics, involving all levels of government and relevant stakeholders, that takes into account our growing population and our changing housing needs, to solve this wicked problem
