Beerwah, Toowoomba, Mackay projects lead $5.6 billion push to deliver 53,500 homes by 2044

Queensland’s new Crisafulli Government has begun rolling out one of the largest social and affordable housing programs in the state’s history, fast-tracking more than 5,600 homes currently under construction or under contract and unlocking hundreds more across key growth regions including the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba, and Mackay-Whitsunday.

The government’s four-year, $5.6 billion investment aims to deliver 53,500 social and community homes by 2044, positioning housing construction as a central pillar of its plan to create “a better lifestyle through a stronger economy.”

Housing and Public Works Minister Sam O’Connor said the program marks a turning point for housing supply in Queensland after years of underinvestment.

“We are delivering the fresh start Queenslanders voted for,” Mr O’Connor said.
“Under the previous government, just 509 social homes were delivered on average per year, barely a third of the rate our population grew. We’re now on track to build around 2,000 social and community homes each year by the end of this term.”

Sunshine Coast leads with 255 homes in the pipeline

The Sunshine Coast has emerged as one of the first regions to feel the impact of the new program, with 255 social and affordable homes either under construction or under contract.

Projects include 24 homes in Beerwah, 26 in Sippy Downs, and 63 in Birtinya all part of a coordinated push to meet growing demand from local families and low-income households.

The Beerwah development, led by the Kabi Kabi Aboriginal Corporation in partnership with the Queensland Government and Coast2Bay Housing Group, is already underway.

Kabi Kabi General Manager Grant Cheatham said the initiative will have a direct impact on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents in the region.

“Once completed, these units will provide safe, secure, and affordable homes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples on the Sunshine Coast,” Mr Cheatham said.

The Sunshine Coast’s housing pipeline sits within the broader framework of the government’s Residential Activation Fund, a $2 billion initiative designed to deliver homes faster by cutting red tape, unlocking sites, and driving private and community housing partnerships.

Toowoomba to deliver 108 new homes through fast-tracked approvals

Further west, Toowoomba is set to benefit from 108 new social and affordable homes in Glenvale, fast-tracked under the new Ministerial Infrastructure Designation (MID) pathway.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the MID process has already halved approval timeframes from 10 months to 5, allowing projects to move from planning to construction much faster.

“The Crisafulli Government is driving approvals and investment to fix a decade of inaction and underinvestment,” Mr Bleijie said.
“Unlike Labor, we are partnering with councils and industry to deliver more homes across Queensland, rather than playing the political blame game.”

Since the program’s launch, the government has approved 17 MID projects across Queensland, totalling 806 new social and affordable homes. These are in addition to the 98,000 homes unlocked through the Residential Activation Fund.

Treasurer and Toowoomba South MP David Janetzki said the changes were already improving access to housing for vulnerable locals.

“This new planning process has given the green light for 108 homes in Toowoomba following a decade of decline,” he said. “These reforms will help ensure families can access affordable, safe accommodation close to jobs and services.”

Mackay-Whitsunday strengthens regional delivery

In North Queensland, 141 social and affordable homes are either under construction or under contract across the Mackay-Whitsunday region, part of a targeted effort to strengthen housing availability in regional centres.

Eighteen new social homes in Mackay are already underway, including 15 one-bedroom and three two-bedroom units due for completion by 2026.

The wider pipeline includes 30 homes in Proserpine, 32 in Bowen, and 11 affordable homes in Moranbah, creating what Minister O’Connor described as a “steady, long-term supply” of community housing in the regions.

“Projects like this one are vital to meeting the need for social housing for Mackay-Whitsunday locals waiting for a place to call home,” he said.
“We’re empowering the community housing sector to deliver more homes for vulnerable people. Community providers can now apply for funding year-round, ensuring continuous momentum.”

Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the new projects will be life-changing for residents currently on the housing register.

“These 18 new homes will provide stability for some of our most vulnerable locals,” Mr Dalton said.
“We’ve already delivered 33 homes in the past year, and this pipeline represents the next step in fixing Queensland’s housing crisis.”

Building for growth through reform

The government’s housing plan is tied to a wider reform agenda focused on cutting building industry red tape, boosting private sector partnerships, and strengthening regional construction capacity.

O’Connor said the government’s long-term target of 53,500 new social and community homes by 2044 will be achieved through consistent collaboration with councils, community providers, and industry groups.

“This isn’t just about building more homes, it’s about building smarter,” he said.
“By working with industry, local councils, and housing providers, we can deliver homes faster and more efficiently while supporting local jobs.”

The strategy also seeks to reverse a decade-long slide in housing approvals. Under Labor, new home approvals dropped by 36 per cent, contributing to Queensland’s lowest home ownership rate in the country.

The new government’s commitment to deliver one million new homes by 2044 combines public, community, and private sector delivery, positioning the building industry as a key partner in the state’s economic and social recovery.

Industry reaction: confidence returning

Early responses from industry bodies and community housing groups suggest renewed confidence in Queensland’s housing sector.

The Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS) said the scale of investment was “encouraging,” but emphasised the need for strong regional planning to ensure the homes are delivered where demand is greatest.

Local builders across the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba have also welcomed the increased volume of public housing projects, noting that many will be built using small to mid-tier construction companies, spreading economic benefit across local supply chains.

With social housing projects now forming a growing share of regional construction work, the government’s investment is expected to underpin steady growth for builders and suppliers over the next two decades.

What it means for builders

For Queensland’s residential construction industry, the surge in social and community housing represents more than just a government stimulus, it’s a stabilising force in a volatile market.

As private housing demand fluctuates with interest rates and affordability pressures, publicly funded projects provide reliable work and sustained demand for local trades, materials, and services.

The Beerwah, Glenvale, and Mackay-Whitsunday projects are likely to be early indicators of how effectively the Crisafulli Government can coordinate delivery at scale.

If achieved, the 53,500-home goal would position Queensland as one of Australia’s most ambitious states for social housing renewal and offer the building industry a consistent foundation for long-term growth.

Author: TGB Editorial