Daily Mercury May 6, 2010

Cait Bester

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WHEN 4000 homes are built at Plantation Palms over the next four years buyers will save $20,000, thanks to the Federal Government's $8.5million funding announcement yesterday. 

Minister for Housing Tanya Plibersek jetted into town yesterday to announce the new $8.5million Housing Affordability Fund project for one of Mackay's newest and most modern suburbs. The funding will also create 4000 jobs. 

Ms Plibersek was joined by Member for Dawson James Bidgood, Mackay regional Mayor Col Meng and Plantation Palms director Kim Clarke at the Rural View housing development. 

The funding would be used by Mackay Regional Council to build infrastructure, undertake investigation and consultation into housing density options and to instigate planning reforms to speed up the new development, Ms Plibersek said. 

The improvement into housing affordability was a major priority for the Government especially for the Mackay region, she said. 

“The $8.5 million being provided to Mackay Regional Council under the Housing Affordability Fund will reduce the price of 400 new homes at Plantation Palms by around $20,000. 

“By bringing forward by four years the time taken to complete the estate, it will also reduce the price of a further 600 homes by $5000.

“This is a great outcome for new home buyers in this rapidly growing region of North Queensland.” 

Mackay Regional Council Mayor Col Meng said the money would go a long way towards providing affordable housing. 

“With a projected population growth in excess of three per cent over the next 20 years, it's estimated 80,000 more people will be living in the Mackay region in 2031 – that's 80,000 people who will require housing,” Cr Meng said. “It's our role as a council to find ways to accommodate this population growth and the increase in demand for alternate and more affordable housing that results – this partnership is one way of achieving that. 

“We are extremely grateful for this funding and the support from both parties, the Australian Government and Plantation Palms.” 

Mr Bidgood said the partnership between the Government, the developer and the council proved “affordable living is not out of reach for homebuyers in Mackay”. Mr Clarke said the funding would allow for faster development of the southern end of the estate. 

“The funding will create 4000 new jobs with 2800 indirect jobs and 1200 direct jobs,” he said. 

He hoped to achieve new housing within the $300,000 to $420,000 price range.