By The Good Builder Editorial Team
A Two-Pronged Boost for Regional Housing
Queensland’s regional housing market is set for a major lift, with the Crisafulli Government confirming 2,300 new homes will be unlocked across Rockhampton and the Fraser Coast through the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund (RAF).
In Rockhampton, $4.3 million will be invested to support infrastructure that unlocks 505 new homes, while Maryborough and the wider Fraser Coast will benefit from a $52.1 million package enabling 1,816 homes.
These announcements continue the rapid rollout of the RAF, a flagship policy in the government’s Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan, designed to fast-track shovel-ready projects and tackle Queensland’s housing shortfall.
Rockhampton: Infrastructure Paves the Way for 500 Homes
In Central Queensland, the RAF will channel $4.3 million into road upgrades, traffic signalling, and stormwater works needed to deliver the Living Gems Rockhampton Retirement Village development.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie, said the project was another clear example of how RAF is “delivering for regional communities sooner.”
“This investment will give more Queenslanders a place to call home after a decade of decline under the former Labor Government,” he said.
The Rockhampton funding builds on a $27.58 million RAF commitment earlier this year, which unlocked three other Central Queensland projects, paving the way for 3,600 homes.
Together, the RAF is set to enable more than 5,600 homes across Central Queensland.
Local representatives echoed the significance:
Donna Kirkland, Member for Rockhampton: “This investment will unlock much-needed housing in Central Queensland, just months after we secured RAF funding for thousands more homes.”
Nigel Hutton, Member for Keppel: “This critical investment future-proofs our region and demonstrates that regional Queensland is firmly in focus.”
Mayor Tony Williams, Rockhampton Regional Council: “We need greater diversity of housing stock. These investments don’t just deliver homes, they ease pressure across the entire market.”
Fraser Coast: $52 Million Unlocks 1,800 Homes
On the Fraser Coast, three separate infrastructure projects will be fast-tracked with $52.1 million in RAF support, collectively unlocking nearly 1,820 new homes.
The projects include:
- Beachside at Dundowran Beach Trunk Infrastructure Works: $33.9 million investment towards a $38 million project, including a major intersection upgrade and new sewer/water mains.
- St Helens Residential Subdivision: $17.8 million contribution to an $81.6 million development, funding new roads, trunk stormwater and sewerage infrastructure.
- Tinana Residential Subdivision: $375,000 to support stormwater drainage, new roads, and power infrastructure.
Deputy Premier Bleijie highlighted the scale of investment:
“This $52 million package is unlocking more than 1,800 new homes in Maryborough and the Fraser Coast, easing Labor’s Housing Crisis and creating local jobs.”
The Fraser Coast allocation follows an $8.6 million RAF announcement earlier this year, which supported two projects unlocking 440 homes. Combined, RAF investment in the region will enable more than 2,200 homes.
Local leaders welcomed the move:
Sam O’Connor, Minister for Housing and Public Works: “Regional communities are finally seeing the investment needed to deliver the homes they deserve.”
John Barounis, Member for Maryborough: “This investment builds on previous RAF funding and gives Maryborough families more housing options.”
Mayor George Seymour, Fraser Coast Regional Council: “This is a substantial investment in our future supporting infrastructure that will enable homes while protecting the unique character of our communities.”
The Bigger Picture: One Million Homes by 2044
The Residential Activation Fund is central to the Crisafulli Government’s target of delivering one million new homes by 2044, with at least 50% of the $2 billion program dedicated to regional and remote Queensland.
To date:
- 178 project submissions have been received under the RAF.
- More than $1 billion has been allocated in Round One, double the original commitment reflecting the number of shovel-ready projects.
- Funding is focused on critical trunk infrastructure such as roads, water, sewerage, and stormwater networks that directly enable housing development.
The government argues this program is a sharp contrast to the previous decade, when housing lot approvals slumped by 29% under Labor, contributing to record-low vacancy rates and a ballooning social housing waitlist.
Deputy Premier Bleijie positioned the RAF as a “game-changer”:
“We are breaking down barriers for infill and greenfield development. The RAF is about creating jobs, managing growth, addressing affordability, and giving more Queenslanders a place to call home.”
TGB Take
For builders, the RAF announcements in Rockhampton and the Fraser Coast are real opportunities.
Unlocking 2,300 homes across two regions means an immediate pipeline of work in civil construction, residential development, and supply contracts. Projects like Living Gems Retirement Village in Rockhampton and Beachside at Dundowran Beach near Maryborough will require a diverse mix of contractors, from road builders to electricians to home builders.
The focus on trunk infrastructure is critical. Without sewerage, stormwater and road upgrades, housing approvals stall, even when land is available. By tackling these pinch points, the RAF is removing barriers that have frustrated developers and councils for years.
However, the test will be in delivery. Approvals are one thing, turning dirt is another. Builders should watch closely for tender opportunities as these projects move from funding announcement to construction.
If the Crisafulli Government stays on schedule, regional builders could see new housing estates entering the market within the next 18–24 months, easing pressure on local supply chains and opening doors for partnerships.
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