Community & Business
21 December, 2023
Green light for incentives to boost affordable housing
AN incentive policy aimed at boosting the construction industry and availability of affordable housing stock has been widened to encourage more people to build secondary dwellings in medium and low density zones.
Tableland Regional Council’s Investment Incentive Policy has been broadened to include duplexes anywhere in the region and new secondary dwellings in medium and low-density residential zones.
It also voted to extend the policy to 30 June 2026.
Mayor Rod Marti is impressed with the success of the policy since its adoption in June last year.
“The policy provides for the waiving of infrastructure charges for the construction of affordable medium-density dwellings, the development of important industries, and the support of major projects,” he said.
Under the policy, up to $100,000 in infrastructure charges can be waived for eligible projects.
“The policy has been well received by the development industry and we’ve waived $45,000 in charges for three medium-density dwellings,” Mayor Marti said.
“These projects employed six local people and had estimated construction costs of around $1 million.”
Two projects have also been deemed eligible under Strategic Industry and Medium Density Dwellings, with one application pending assessment.
“There is also a significant number of projects in the pipeline that may be eligible under the policy including about 50 residential units and developments in health, manufacturing and accommodation.
“This is a strong start for the policy and we’re keen to continue the momentum by widening the scope to include duplexes anywhere in the region and new secondary dwellings in medium and low-density residential zones and extending the policy to 30 June 2026.”
A report to council highlighted the lack of medium of high-density residential dwellings in the local government area, with just 6.4% of all stock in the area coming under that category, compared to 24% in regional Queensland and 25.9% overall in the State.
“Our ongoing economic and population growth, tight rental vacancy rate and under representation of medium and high-density dwellings, particularly outside Atherton, necessitate these amendments,” Mayor Marti said.
“We’ll do whatever we can to facilitate the construction of these types of dwellings in our region, which, in turn, will support the local construction industry,” he added.
