A new analysis of the social housing waitlist has revealed the number of residents in the Bundaberg Housing district waiting for social housing has grown by 117%, while a $2 billion housing fund remains unused.
Despite being announced more than two years ago the $2 billion Housing Investment Fund hasn’t delivered a home for a single additional Queenslander, either in Bundaberg or elsewhere in regional Queensland.
Meanwhile, more than 1000 residents from across the Bundaberg district have been left languishing on a social housing waitlist, without a roof over their head.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said Queenslanders simply can’t trust the State Labor Government anymore.
“The Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith has peddled unsubstantiated spin on social housing since he blew into town just before the election in 2020,” said Mr Bennett.
“Numbers are one thing, but you only have to go for a drive along Hanbury St in North Bundaberg or visit Hinkler Lions Park to see for yourself how Bundaberg residents are being treated under the Palaszczuk Government.
“Families, couples, children and their pets are living in tents and makeshift shelters under the Tallon Bridge while the $2 billion housing fund sits unused.
“The State Labor Government is addicted to announcements but they’re unable to deliver.”
As the only registered builder amongst Queensland MP’s, Burnett MP Stephen Bennett said an LNP Government knows how to fix the housing crisis by using the Housing Investment Fund to build new homes.
“Instead of making life harder for renters by taking homes out of the private markets, an LNP Government would use the Housing Investment Fund to increase housing supply,” said Mr Bennett.
“We would also prioritise infrastructure partnerships with local government to unlock more land for housing, unleash the community housing sector and set KPIs to deliver social housing projects on-time and on-budget.”
“An LNP government will fight the battles that matter to Queenslanders and their families, unlike the tired, self-obsessed Labor Government that’s stuck fighting amongst themselves.”
| Region (Housing Service Centre) | 2017 Waiting List (People) | 2022 Waiting List (People) | Increase (People) Since 2017 | Increase (%) Since 2017 |
| Gold Coast | 2,940 | 4,261 | 1,321 | 45% |
| Toowoomba | 1,066 | 2,325 | 1,259 | 118% |
| Sunshine Coast | 2,162 | 2,807 | 645 | 30% |
| Fraser Coast | 1,190 | 2,176 | 986 | 83% |
| Bundaberg | 500 | 1,087 | 587 | 117% |
| Gladstone | 230 | 583 | 353 | 153% |
| Rockhampton | 568 | 1,495 | 927 | 163% |
| Mackay | 638 | 1,714 | 1,076 | 169% |
| Townsville | 1,682 | 4,200 | 2,518 | 150% |
| Cairns | 3,555 | 5,929 | 2,374 | 67% |
| State-wide | 29,636 | 45,958 | 16,322 | 55% |
Source: https://www.data.qld.gov.au/dataset/social-housing-register
24/07/2023