Stakeholders from across the region gathered at the Greater Whitsunday Communities’ Housing Summit held in Mackay on Tuesday.
The event was held to address housing issues and develop solutions to issues that were identified at the Greater Whitsunday Housing Roundtable which was held in December last year.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall attended the event and said the Housing Summit was a much-needed collaboration to find solutions to address gaps in our current housing system.
“Collaboration is key to unlocking new housing stock, and this Summit provides opportunities for public-private partnerships to form which will be essential to apply for State and Federal funding in the affordable housing space,” Mayor Hall said.
“While council itself is not an accommodation provider, we understand we have a role to play in supporting new housing supply from a facilitation perspective, applying our planning scheme appropriately, incentivising where appropriate, and potentially allocating land for social and affordable housing development,” she said.
“The problem is complex and multi-faceted with no quick fixes, but the Summit is a starting point, and we will build an action plan with many sub-projects coming out of the Summit, where some actions have a short-term focus, and others position us strategically for the long-term.”
Member for Whitsunday, Amanda Camm MP also attended the event and said she was thrilled to see such united forces come together to support such an important issue in the region.
“I congratulate Greater Whitsunday Communities for hosting the Housing Summit today, which I was pleased attend,” she said.
“To see the breadth and diversity of stakeholders who made valuable contributions to the discussions today, highlights the real impact the housing crisis is having across community, industry and development sectors in the region.”
Ms Camm said that key topics discussed included workforce housing, supply issues and the concern around investor confidence.
“Until this housing issue is addressed, the challenge for all industries will be the challenge of attracting workforce to our region. It is going to take a collaborative, region specific approach to finding a solution,” said Ms Camm.
“The Government must let regional stakeholders drive the response and not just dictate a one size fits all response from Brisbane.”
She calls on the state government to use the $2 billion housing investment fund to help regional communities find solutions to the current housing shortage.
Gary Warrener – Economic Development Manager, Neil McGaffin – Director Development Services, Cr Michelle Wright, Mayor Julie Hall, CEO Warren Bunker, Cr Jan Clifford, Cr Clay Bauman, Artiqua Harrison – Strategic Planner.
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