A $350-million scheme to add more homes faster in Queensland has closed after two weeks due to demand.
The State Government said it had more than 220 applications for the fund, part of the Homes for Queenslanders plan—over a fortnight.
It said this was potentially more than 12,000 new homes and 4000 lots.
The fund covers the cost of infrastructure charges and development application fees for new homes that are well located to existing services, public transport, schools and jobs.
Of the applications received, more than 60 per cent relate to projects with development approvals that could be brought forward, according to the State.
“By covering known infrastructure costs, the fund will also prevent these costs being passed on to homebuyers, promoting housing choice and improving affordability,” it said in a statement.
“Applications have been lodged for a range of homes from gentle density to apartments from the Gold Coast, Darling Downs, regional towns and cities all the way north to Cooktown.”
The department will now assess applications, and where a project doesn’t fit the criteria, unfunded allocation will be released in new rounds to keep accelerating the delivery of new homes.
The guidelines make clear that affordability is critical and will be prioritised through the assessment process.
Housing minister Meaghan Scanlon said it was clear there are pockets of land close to public transport, jobs and schools that are underutilised.
“That needs to change if we’re to meet the demands for housing in Queensland,” she said.
“We’ve listened to industry who told us they have projects ready to go, they just need that litte bit of extra support to make it shovel-ready.
“We now have evidence that this lever should be pulled because it is has attracted significant interest in bringing forward new supply.”
