Mayors urged to pitch for housing infrastructure cash
Laine Clark |
Queensland mayors have been urged to pitch for funding after the opposition guaranteed to provide at least $1 billion for regional housing infrastructure if elected.
Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli says projects will be assessed on merit, but mayors will need to be quick to share in the cash.
Polling indicates Mr Crisafulli is on track to end Labor’s nine year reign at the October 26 poll.
The LNP leader revealed on Friday at least half of an existing $2 billion housing infrastructure fund would be pumped into regional Queensland if he wins.
“First in with the best plans will be rewarded,” he told reporters.
“I have asked the mayors across the state to get ready for what their request is.
“It might be an upgrade to a sewer treatment plant to build capacity in an existing area.
“It can be as simple as street lighting – anything is on the table.”
Mr Crisafulli said he hoped the $1 billion injection would help kickstart a regional Queensland housing build.
“It cannot continue the way it is. We cannot continue to see rental vacancy rates under one per cent in regional Queensland,” he said.
“I am determined to unlock the keys to get young people into their homes and make sure others can afford to rent.”
Housing is a key issue ahead of Queensland’s election, with the state government planning to build one million homes by 2046, including 53,500 social homes.
LNP plans to boost home ownership include ditching stamp duty for first homebuyers who build their own house, saving more than $20,000.
There is a shared equity scheme to help potential buyers with at least a two per cent deposit while first home owners would have any restrictions on renting their property removed.
The opposition will also accelerate Labor’s major house-building policy by promising one million homes by 2044.
AAP