Affordable homes under construction in Kallangur and Nambour, QLD

Queensland’s affordable housing stock is set to receive a much needed boost with construction well underway on affordable homes in the northern Brisbane suburb of Kallangur as well as Nambour, located 101 kilometres north of the state capital.

The 10 two bedroom units being built in Kallangur will offer environmentally friendly features and residential parking on site and are located close to facilities including the local primary school, shops and medical centre.

Local developer and builder, Ian McBain, has been able to employ up to 25 workers daily on the Kallangur based Social Housing Initiative project as well as utilise long standing local contractors, consultants and suppliers.

Once completed, the units will become home for high need applicants on the general social housing waiting list.

Further north in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, Passey Homes, is constructing the five one and two bedroom units in the town of Nambour and, has witnessed firsthand the impact the project has had on local contractors, consultants and suppliers.

“We have been able to employ two local young men as apprentices for over half of this project,” a representative from Passey Homes said.

“I am aware that some of our subcontractors have also put on apprentices due to the consistent flow of work that we can now guarantee.”

“Thirteen of our subcontract specialists are local trades from within the Sunshine coast region. This Project has further benefitted over 10 local area suppliers of product required as all material has been sourced and purchased within the Sunshine Coast area.”

“It has guaranteed my whole team in general the work to give them stability,” the representative explained.

The Nambour units, two of which are fully adaptable, are nearing completion and will be suitable for high need tenants.

The Social Housing Initiative will provide funding of $5.238 billion over three and a half years from 2008-09 to 2011-12 for the construction of new social housing (in two stages), and a further $400 million over two years for repairs and maintenance to existing public housing dwellings.
The Australian Government’s investment in social housing in Queensland will deliver over 4,000 new homes, with over 2,300 already started.

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