Where Qld is spending $300m to help build 40,000 new regional homes 

The sunshine state is shelling out cash to shovel-ready projects to enable nearly 40,000 new homes across six regional areas.  

The Queensland government has committed a further $308 million of funding to infrastructure projects across the state to fast-track new housing.  

The funding comes from the Residential Activation Fund (RAF), which is part of the state government’s “Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan” and is intending to assist in the delivery of one million new homes by 2044.  

The RAF is expected to spend up to $1 billion on round one, according to the Queensland state 2025-26 budget.  

The Queensland government has announced further funding from the Residential Activation Fund. Picture: Getty

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Much of the funding from the first round is expected to go towards building new roads and new infrastructure such as water supply, sewerage, stormwater and power facilities – important factors in unlocking residential development.  

Since opening applications for round one in April 2025, the fund has received 178 submissions – with 114 from regional, rural and remote Queensland and 64 from south-east Queensland.  

Almost 40,000 new homes could be built through round one across Logan, Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Townsville, Far North Queensland and the Fraser Coast.  

The government first announced $135.98 million to support construction of a wastewater plant in Logan – potentially bringing 20,000 homes to the area – before announcing $11 million to six projects in Bundaberg, enabling 10,000 new homes.  

Now, the state has announced further funding across four regional areas.

Where the funding will go

In Rockhampton, the government has committed a total of $27.58 million towards three infrastructure projects. These are:  

• The Parkhurst Residential Enabling infrastructure project 

• The North Rockhampton sewerage treatment plant – UV disinfection facility  

• The Limestone Creek trunk sewerage network (Stage 1) 

Of the total, $17.26 million will towards the Parkhurst Enabling Infrastructure project, which will involve upgrading Alexandra Street by 1.85km, connecting new developments being delivered at the Ellida and Edenbrook estates. 

It’s expected $9.75 million will go towards upgrading the North Rockhampton sewage treatment plant with a UV disinfection facility and the remaining funding will go towards the planning and design for the future Limestone Creek trunk sewerage network (Stage 1) project.  

In Far North Queensland, the government is delivering $89 million to support the construction of 16 projects, set to enable 2998 new homes.  

According to the government, these projects will be delivered in partnership with the Aurukun Shire Council, Cook Shire Council, Mareeba Shire Council, Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council, Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council, Torres Shire Council, Cassowary Coast Regional Council and Tablelands Regional Council.  

Rockhampton could see 3600 new homes thanks to $27.58 million in funding. Picture: Getty

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North Queensland is expected to receive $36.8 million towards two infrastructure projects in Hinchinbrook and one project in Townsville.  

These projects are:  

• The Northern Beaches Trunk Road infrastructure package in Townsville 

• Two road upgrade projects in Hinchinbrook  

The Townsville Northern Beaches Trunk Road infrastructure package will receive $29.5 million to support additional access Northern Beaches to Bruce Highway through Svensson Road. This project will help build 2600 new homes.  

The road upgrades in Hinchinbrook will receive $7.3 million to build more than 180 homes at Como Road, Scovazzis Road and Sir Arthur Fadden Drive in Ingham.  

The RAF will also deliver $8.6 million towards two Fraser Coast projects expected to enable nearly 440 homes in the region.  

The projects are:  

• The upgrade of Scrub Hill Road in Dundowran  

• The upgrade of Hockley Land in Hervey Bay  

Both projects will be fully funded by the RAF with Scrub Hill Road receiving $7.15 million and Hockley Land getting $1.45 million.  

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