More than 10,000 new homes will be delivered in Bundaberg with six critical infrastructure projects set to be fast-tracked under the State Government’s $2 billion Residential Activation Fund.
The Residential Activation Fund will support construction of six key projects including a $7.7 million boost towards the $9.6 million Millbank Wastewater Treatment Plant – Inlet Works – with all six projects set to unlock 10,068 new homes.
This project is a high priority for Bundaberg Regional Council to unlock the Branyan Local Area Plan and substantial residential housing developments as part of it’s capital works program.
The RAF will also deliver a $1.5 million boost towards the $1.88 million Childers Wastewater Treatment Plant Detailed Design – a significant trunk infrastructure project to support future development growth.
The $2 billion Residential Activation Fund has received 178 submissions – 64 from South East Queensland and 114 from regional, rural and remote Queensland.
Round one funding focuses on the construction of critical truck infrastructure needed such as water supply, sewerage, stormwater, and roads needed to unlock new residential developments and ease the housing crisis.
The $2 billion Residential Activation Fund is a key pillar of the Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan and is breaking down the barriers for infill and greenfield developments.
The Fund will deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders and support one million new homes by 2044 with at least 50 per cent of the overall funding to be invested in regional and remote Queensland.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie said the Residential Activation Fund was set to unlock thousands of new homes across the State.
“Partnering with Council to unlock this critical infrastructure will deliver more homes,” he said.
“Our RAF roadshow officially kicks off today and I can’t wait to visit more communities over the coming weeks, announcing further projects across Queensland and helping more Queenslanders pursue their home ownership dreams.”
Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Helen Blackburn said Council was delighted to have secured funding under the Residential Activation Fund.
“This investment of nearly $11 million for six significant projects will allows us to deliver and plan for critical infrastructure for our essential services from water and wastewater to roads and stormwater management, unlocking 10,068 new homes throughout the Bundaberg Region,” Mayor Blackburn said.
“This support is vital to addressing housing challenges in our community while supporting local jobs and economic development.
“We are proud to work alongside the Queensland Government to deliver on this important initiative and look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have for residents and businesses alike.”
Burnett MP Stephen Bennett said Bundaberg would benefit from the significant investment in six critical infrastructure projects.
“The Residential Activation Fund will deliver a significant $11 million investment towards six projects in the Bundaberg region that will unlock more than 10,000 homes,” Mr Bennett said.
“This investment will address housing shortages in the region and give more Queenslanders a place to call home.”
The RAF will also deliver the following projects for the Bundaberg region:
- $840,000 boost towards the $1 million Elliott Heads Growth Precinct – Water and Sewerage Infrastructure. Another key development area in Bundaberg with over 3,700 residential lots planned. Council sought State funding for the detailed design to begin immediately, completing the project within a year to be ready for construction to commence in 2026-27 to unlock housing developments.
- $520,000 boost towards the $651,000 Ashfield Growth Precinct – Sewerage Infrastructure. A key development area in Bundaberg with over 4,942 residential lots planned. Council sought State funding for the detailed design to begin immediately, completing the project within a year to be ready for construction to commence in 2026-27 to unlock housing developments.
- $240,000 boost towards the $300,000 Intersection Upgrade of Back Windermere and Barolin Homestead Roads, Coral Cove.
- $176,000 boost towards the $220,000 Kellys Road Stormwater Infrastructure.
Wouldn’t the money be better spent on the new hospital before adding to the problem?
With council averaging 600 new residential homes approvals per year this collates to the 11,000 homes being completed in 15-20 years. Building critical infrastructure is important but building now adds maintenance, depreciation, wages, assets replacement cost to the next 15-20 years budgets and rates before all houses are built. Economically, waiting until building 60-70% of the 11,000 homes then updating infrastructure saves the rate payers and community untold expense in this cost of living crisis era. Like buying new car now and hoping it runs the same in 15 years???
When are you going to provide sewerage and drainage upgrades to Innes park north. It should have been done a long time ago
What is the start date for the proposed new round-about at the intersection of Back Windermere Rd, Coral Cove rd, & Homestead rd?
Will Back Windermere Rd get a bike lane to
Connect to the existing bike/walking path in Bargara on Hugh’s Rd?
Will Innes Park rd get a bike lane to back Windermere rd?
Will coral Cove (Zinks rd) road get a bike lane to Windermere road?
Sell the swimming pool white elephant
With the way things are going the sooner they are built the better. This will then get the residents paying rates & allow for rate cuts. There won’t be a waiting to fill it’s a case of they will fill rapidly.
I also think a new hospital is so 30 years over due. More people during and post COVID has put an extra strain on the outdated hospital system already. I’ve nursed for 40 years and Bundaberg hospital is the most outdated hospital I’ve worked in. Come on put Bundaberg into the 21st century.
There is no where to go to escape this garbage, all the southerners move to Brisbane, they mover here, and now theyre bypassing Brisbane and coming straight here, why have you lot always bragged about making all these new homes, more population brings more nasty locals, roaming dogs, crime, pollution, angrier people due to the ignorance of newbies, with their big city values, the list is endless, the traffic gets worse, no way can the roads cope with this lot and no way will they be made wider there is no room, Why have the past mayor and councils been bent on destroying a lovely liveable town,into a souless city where locals have to move out,Why not just build a new town somewhere instead.
I agree with Steve that it seems madness to think that “a bigger Bundaberg, is necessarily a better Bundaberg”. The traffic is horrendous now and will only get worse.
Please rethink this decision. This land is vital natural habitat for our local wildlife. Surely there are better options for housing.
A great option would be for us to build up instead of out. 2 & 3 bedroom apartment blocks with shared secured court yards, internal stares, lifts & washing machines. You could build these 3 stores high or more Building upwards preserves green spaces & wildlife habitats. The great Aussie back yard takes up a huge amount of space it is just wasteful grass.
This style of mass produced apartment would give the younger ones a place to call home & potentially be much cheaper then existing low rise apartments.
If you like a decent City that won’t grow very much try Hervey Bay, Gladstone or Maryborough. These cities are already near there water or land limit of what they could offer. If any city in our region needs to do the heavy lifting on population growth it would have to be Bundaberg. None of the rest of them have what it will take to grow upwards of 3x larger then there current size.
Yes we need to improve roads & parking, Yes we need more shopping options, Yes we need to preserve green space & habitats as well where we can. If we plan it out & start working on it we will get it done right.
The key to reducing traffic & parking issues is actually development in different areas. This will attract businesses to those areas as well. So we don’t have to drive as far & if we do drive somewhere it is not all of us driving to the same location competing for the same parking spaces. We can also connect more roads & streets through areas if necessary giving options.
There is also alternative routs that could be made use of already if you do need to go to a more developed area.
Boreham street
Theodore street
Enterprise street
The ring road
Mcarthy Road/Sims Road to get off Elliott heads road.