At the ceremony are (from left) Peter Flannery, Sam O’Connor, Jodie Shipway and Damian Foley. Photo supplied
COUNCIL NEWS
Moreton Bay (Qld)
The sod has been turned to mark the start of construction on a 47-unit apartment complex at Mango Hill for older women facing homelessness.
And the Moreton Bay City Council is waiving $700,000 in fees for the project as the state government teams up with community housing provider YMCA to build it.
Mayor Peter Flannery says the project is “a much-needed affordable housing project” for Moreton Bay.
The housing is aimed at women aged 55 years and older from the social housing register and features dedicated community spaces and on-site support.
Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway says that a major initiative of theirs has been to encourage the construction of affordable housing in their area “by waiving millions of dollars in development application fees and infrastructure charges”.
“The $700,000 waived for this project will go a long way to making this much needed housing a reality,” she says.
“Homelessness is a complex issue; it’s important we keep thinking outside the box and continue working with government and community housing providers to deliver solutions.”
RAMPING UP CONSTRUCTION
Housing Minister Sam O’Connor says the government is “ramping up” construction in Moreton Bay to ease the housing crisis.
“This complex under way at Mango Hill is a great example of how we are working with community housing providers to deliver more homes in the right locations,” he says.
“This will mean safe, secure and affordable homes with on-site support for older women, who are one of our most vulnerable groups when it comes to homelessness.”
YMCA Queensland CEO Damian Foley describes the sod-turning ceremony as a “milestone” for the project.
Council says another affordable housing complex is also under construction at Redcliffe while a First Nations-led social housing project is under way at Deception Bay.
Other projects are being assessed with more than 670 homes under construction or under contract, the government says.
The cost of the project remains confidential, a government spokeswoman says.
