Tweed Shire Council is set to receive more than $8 million towards local infrastructure.
The money is part of the Federal Government’s Building Better Regional Cities Program announced by Minister for Housing and Homelessness Brendan O’Connor and Minister for Regional Australia, Regional Development and the Local Government Simon Crean.
The funding will allow for the construction of the necessary infrastructure to enable the delivery of at least 145 residential lots at the ‘Homestead’ project on Fraser Drive at Tweed Heads South, with at least 42 serviced residential lots to be provided to affordable housing provider, Horizons Housing Solutions Ltd, at no cost.
Under the funding agreement, the council must ensure the construction of at least 42 dwellings on the lots, in a mix of two-bedroom, three-bedroom and four-bedroom homes and duplexes. Of the 42 (or more), at least 20 are to be sold at a discount of 20 to 30 per cent off market price, with the remaining lots retained as affordable housing by an affordable housing provider and rented at no more than 80 per cent of market rent.
Tweed Shire Mayor Barry Longland said the aim of the Australian Government’s Building Better Regional Cities Program (BBRC) was to invest in local infrastructure projects that support an increase in the number of homes or dwellings for sale and rent that are affordable for working families on ordinary incomes.
“This is a major affordable housing project, which will provide significant benefit to the Tweed community,” Cr Longland said.
“We thank the Federal Government, through our local member Justine Elliot, for their support in this initiative,” he said.
“It is a major injection of funding into an area that local government authorities find to be one of their most difficult challenges.
“In the Tweed, we have average salaries below the State average and we’re aware there’s demand in our community.
“This funding is going to go a long way towards assisting the council towards addressing that need.
“It is wonderful to see this innovative partnership between Federal and local government,” he said.
The council will enter into an agreement with the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs (FaHCSIA) to ensure delivery of the program.
Mr O’Connor said Tweed Shire Council would receive a grant of $8.362 million for local infrastructure projects to support new housing developments.
Mr Crean said, to have a stronger nation, we need stronger regions.
“We want to see these communities grow and we are working with local councils and developers to deliver more affordable homes for low and middle income families,” he said.
Federal Member for Richmond Justine Elliott said the local area would benefit from this funding.
“In Tweed Heads we are experiencing a high demand for affordable housing but, with the support of the Gillard Government, our community will be able to grow,” Ms Elliott said.
“In Tweed Heads, we will now be able to undertake the construction of infrastructure works such as intersection upgrades, the creation of public parks, conservation areas, trunk works and earth works, which are normally payable by the developer,” she said.
“This will increase the number of affordable homes available for sale and rent and help alleviate local housing supply pressures.
“In the past, the cost of providing infrastructure for housing developments was borne by developers and local councils, which then contributed to the increase in the price of new homes and rising rents.
“Building Better Regional Cities is part of the Gillard Government’s historic commitment to address housing affordability and help people stay connected to their communities. We are building better regional cities for a stronger, more sustainable Australia.”
The government has invested more than $20 billion in housing and homelessness since coming to office in 2008.
The homes are expected to be built by June 30, 2016.
