The Federal Government has announced the projects that will receive funding from the first stream of the $1.5 billion Housing Support Program, with 73 local government projects securing funding along with seven state and territory projects.
Some of the successful projects receiving funding under Stream 1 include:
- $1.5 million for Blacktown City Council for housing capacity studies and planning strategies around nine train station precincts, with the potential to deliver 50,000 dwellings
- $1.2 million for the Victorian Department of Transport and Planning for a Planning Cadet Program to boost planning capability within regional councils
- $160,000 for Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council for a Future Housing Supply Strategy expected to enable 66 well-located homes in remote Queensland
- $355,000 for the South Australian Department for Trade and Investment to establish a Bachelor in Urban and Regional Planning at Flinders University, to commence in 2025
- $150,000 for Bundaberg Regional Council to undertake precinct planning for 1,300 dwellings (including medium-density, affordable housing) around the Bundaberg Hospital, primarily for hospital workers
The Housing Support Program is one of a range of measures designed to help achieve the ambitious national target of building 1.2 million new, well-located homes over the next five years.
Stream 2 of the program is now open to applications and these will close on 16 August.
This $450 million stream will provide funding for enabling infrastructure that supports housing, such as roads and utility connections, and community amenities like parks, footpaths and public spaces.
The funding will support master planning and development projects to accelerate housing supply and ensure residential growth in local communities is accessible, affordable and sustainable.
Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, said that the Housing Support Program is an important part of the government’s $32 billion Homes for Australia plan which is building more homes across Australia.
“A place to call home is not a luxury or a nice-to-have, but a fundamental need, and our Homes for Australia plan is making this a reality for more Australians,” Prime Minister Albanese said.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said that the Federal Government’s Housing Support Program is helping to turbocharge infrastructure planning to deliver more homes, more quickly, for more Australians.
“It’s a critical part of our plan to work with states and territories to help them meet the ambitious national target to build 1.2 million well-located new homes,” Minister King said.
Federal Minister for Housing, Homelessness and Small Business, Julie Collins, said that she urges all councils and state and territory governments to submit their projects for the second stream of the Housing Support Program so the government and councils can work together to get more homes on the ground, faster.
“Our Homes for Australia plan is working across the board – more help for renters, more help for homebuyers and more help for Australians needing a safe place for the night.”
Image: Harley Kingston/shutterstock.com
