• Construction is underway on four new social homes in Zillmere
• These homes replace an older property previously on the site to maximise the land’s housing potential
• It’s part of a record $5 billion for social and affordable housing, and housing and homelessness supports, the largest investment in Queensland’s history, to help achieve its commitment of 13,500 homes

 

The development features four one-bedroom units with multi-purpose space, including three built to gold and one built to platinum standard under the Liveable Housing Design Guidelines.

 

This means these homes are suitable for older people and people with disability, with features including wider hallways and doors.

 

This development is being delivered in partnership with the Umpi Korumba Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation for Housing and will provide more social housing for First Nations people in need.

 

The units in Zillmere are among more than 600 social housing homes currently under construction across the state.

 

It also joins a number of projects underway or recently completed, where sites with one or two ageing social homes have been able to be replaced with more homes, including:

 

Project	Number of homes before	Number of homes after
Basin Pocket (under construction)	Seven	41
Goodna (under construction)	Two	Seven
Booval (under construction)	One	Five
Acacia Ridge (under construction)	One	Six
Zillmere (Under construction)	Two	13
Darra (Under construction)	One	10
Nerang (complete)	Two	12
Nerang (complete)	Two	10
Capalaba (complete)	Two	11
Caboolture (complete)	One	Seven
Eagleby (complete)	Two	12
Varsity Lakes (complete)	Two	12

 

The Palaszczuk Government is investing a record $5 billion on social and affordable housing, and housing and homelessness supports – the largest concentrated investment in the state’s history – to help commence more than 13,500 homes by mid-2027.

 

This includes an additional $322 million to commence an additional 500 social homes through QuickStarts Queensland, and $64.3 million for the purchase and lease of emergency accommodation facilities in Brisbane, both approved in this year’s State Budget.

 

Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon:

 

“More than 600 social homes are under construction right now, powered by our government’s $5 billion investment in housing and homelessness.

 

“This project is another example of our big housing build, maximising the land available to deliver social and affordable housing, turning one home into four.

 

“It’s great to see an older property being redeveloped to make better use of the land and house more people in brand new social housing units.

 

“Importantly, it’s great to see this project in particular have a strong focus on social housing for First Nations community, working closely with Umpi Korumba Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation for Housing.

 

“But it’s not just about bricks and mortar - we also provided over 78,000 forms of private rental market assistance, from bond loans to rental assistance, last financial year to keep vulnerable Queenslanders in their homes.”

 

Quotes attributable to Member for Nudgee Leanne Linard:

 

“I’m pleased to know that the tenants of the previous property on site will be among the people who will call these new social housing units home.

 

“It adds to another build recently delivered for 13 new units also in Zillmere.

 

“I’m also so pleased to see this project coming to fruition in partnership with Umpi Korumba, an organisation that contributes so much to our local community and on behalf of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples who are a part of it.

 

“Our community is not immune to the pressures we are seeing in housing nationally – but it is well placed to provide access to the important services, shops, and public transport that is essential to effective social housing development.”

 

Quotes to be attributed to Mary Doctor, General Manager Umpi Korumba Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders Corporation for Housing:

 

“Our property was purchased in 2002 with funds from ATSIC, with the specific vision of redeveloping the site to fully functioning units for our community members. 

 

“This has now come to fruition with CFA funds made available by the Palaszczuk Government for social and affordable funding.

 

“It’s been a long journey with Umpi Korumba having to meet the government’s compliance with NRSCH successfully but we are here and Umpi Korumba is thankful. 

 

“The directors of Umpi Korumba at that time in 2002 really were visionaries, there will be 4 units built and all have been pre-allocated. 

 

“The Palaszczuk Government provided the much needed construction funds for the re-development and Umpi Korumba’s contribution to the redevelopment is the land – (which was valued at $1.3m with a current BCC DA).

 

“The builder is Murri Constructions who are a First Nations Builder who won the tender and Umpi Korumba is fortunate to work with a builder who has demonstrated ability.”

 

Quotes to be attributed to tenant Uncle Paul Sandow:

 

“I am proud Aboriginal man.

 

“have worked all my life from a young age, I had to retire due to a serious medical condition from my last job where I worked for well over 20 years.

 

“I approached Umpi Korumba about a place to stay while I received my treatments as I was living with friends (and I needed peace, quiet and my privacy).

 

“Umpi Korumba provided me with a place to stay when I needed it most which was a unit of an old house built in 1901 on this very site. 

 

“Now I get to move back into a brand new unit.  I am grateful and very proud of Umpi.

 

“I was given the opportunity to be included in choosing the interior  paint colour, the cupboards, light fittings and fixtures. 

 

“Umpi Korumba said it mattered that my opinion was included as I was going to move back there, I actually chose for the whole complex. 

 

“I am still under the care of medical specialists and I can’t wait to move back home.” 

 

Further information:

 

Anyone who needs housing assistance can contact their local Housing Service Centre during business hours or call the 24/7 Homeless Hotline on 1800 474 753.

 

ENDS

 

Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz - 0420 592 078