The Queensland Government has announced it will invest $55.5 million from the Residential Activation Fund (RAF) in four projects that will deliver the critical trunk infrastructure needed to unlock land for residential development in Central Queensland.
The projects will deliver major water, road and sewer infrastructure upgrades needed to support new residential development across four communities, including Gracemere, Taroomball, Hidden Valley and Theodore.
The investments include:
- More than $7.5 million to replace the Rahima Court Sewage Pump Station at Gracemere, increasing the capacity of the local sewerage network;
- Nearly $15.5 million in trunk road infrastructure for the Taroomball Residential Precinct, to construct Chandler Road West between Tanby Road and Carige Boulevard, including a flood-capable crossing over Ross Creek, and upgrade the intersection with Tanby Road and extend Carige Boulevard to connect with Chandler Road West;
- More than $24.6 million in trunk and essential infrastructure at The Pines in Hidden Valley to deliver new connector roads, trunk water and sewer mains, a sewer pump station and stormwater infrastructure, together with electrical and telecommunications services;
- More than $7.9 million to upgrade the Theodore Water Treatment Plant to deliver a new water treatment, clear-water storage, clear-water pumping systems and associated infrastructure.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie said the investment was a clear demonstration of the Government’s commitment to building Queensland’s future.
“The Crisafulli Government’s Residential Activation Fund is pulling every lever to increase housing supply, because you can’t build homes without the roads, water and sewerage infrastructure to support them,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“These four projects will unlock more than 2,899 places to call home for Queenslanders while supporting growing communities across Central Queensland, and demonstrate what’s possible when government partners with councils, landowners and developers to remove barriers to housing.
Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor, Tony Williams said the investment would deliver critical infrastructure to support continued residential growth in Gracemere.
“This project will help unlock housing opportunities for more than 1,000 future homes in Gracemere,” Mayor Williams said.
“As our population grows, it’s critical supporting infrastructure keeps pace.”
Livingstone Shire Council Mayor, Adam Belot said the investment was another major step towards unlocking new housing and ensuring critical infrastructure keeps pace with the Capricorn Coast’s continued growth.
“The Capricorn Coast continues to attract families, workers and investment, and getting the infrastructure in place to unlock more housing is critical to ensuring we grow in a planned and sustainable way,” Mayor Belot said.
“This investment shows what can be achieved when all levels of government work together – delivering the infrastructure our community needs now, while creating the foundations for a connected, liveable and prosperous Capricorn Coast into the future.”
Banana Shire Council Mayor, Nev Ferrier said the Theodore investment would provide important infrastructure for the community and support future residential growth.
“Reliable water infrastructure is fundamental to the future growth of any community, and this upgrade will provide Theodore with greater capacity for the years ahead,” Mayor Ferrier said.
“The new infrastructure will help support residential development and ensure Theodore is well placed to accommodate future growth.”
Wilgrow Properties Engineering Director Kym Wilkinson said the Pines at Hidden Valley had taken years of planning and significant capital to reach a shovel-ready position due to trunk infrastructure constraints.
“The one piece we could not carry on our own was the trunk infrastructure, but the Crisafulli Government’s Residential Activation Fund covers the connector roads, the trunk water and sewer, the pump station and the stormwater works.”
“That brings our delivery forward by up to 10 years and Capricorn Coast families will see lots come to market when they need them, not a decade from now.”
