The Queensland government will invest AU$52 million to fast-track more than 4,700 new homes across the Bundaberg region, funding essential infrastructure to bring forward new residential developments.
Drawn from Round 2 of the state’s Residential Activation Fund, the funding package allocates capital across three major local projects to deliver road, water, and sewerage upgrades.
The largest share, more than AU$38 million, will fund essential road, water, and sewer works along a 3.6-kilometre stretch of Back Windermere Road.
An additional AU$9.4 million has been committed to construct a new 2.8-kilometre water main and sewer pump station in Elliott Heads, while AU$4.7 million will upgrade local sewer pump stations in Ashfield.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said the funding converts initial planning into physical construction to address housing availability.
“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,” Bleijie said.
The state government reported that the Residential Activation Fund has unlocked capacity for more than 141,000 homes statewide since its inception, alongside a record 50,000 homes currently under construction across Queensland.
Local developers welcomed the infrastructure injection. Southbeach Development Director John Manera noted that the essential water and sewerage upgrades along the Burnett coast provide certainty to bring forward 250 new homes within two years and over 2,000 homes in the longer term.
Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Helen Blackburn said practical state support is vital for local councils to overcome major cost barriers and accelerate housing supply for growing regional populations.
The Bundaberg package forms part of a broader state housing strategy that includes first-home buyer stamp duty relief, the Boost to Buy shared equity scheme, and a targeted pipeline of social and community housing.
