The Albanese Labor Government is building Australia’s future today, announcing $50 million to boost housing and deliver community infrastructure projects in Cairns and Far North Queensland.

Almost $25 million has been allocated through the Housing Support Program package to boost social housing supply across the region.  

This funding will support the delivery of increased social housing supply through the construction of enabling infrastructure and community amenities such as roads, stormwater drainage, earthworks and connection to utilities.

Five housing projects have been allocated funding across the Far North Queensland region:   

• $6.5 million to facilitate two new residential expansion areas in the north and south of Pormpuraaw.
• $1.6 million to help turn 14 lots into 34 lots in Napranum.
• $9.9 million to deliver 32 fully serviced lots in the remote indigenous community of Seisia.
• $5.1 million to support a 20-lot social housing development in Bamaga.
• $1.8 million to improve access and provide essential trunk infrastructure to the social housing development in New Mapoon.

Seven projects will share in almost $25 million of Growing Regions Program, which provides funding of between $500,000 and $15 million to local government entities and incorporated not-for-profit organisations for community infrastructure projects.

The seven successful projects, which went through a competitive, merit-based assessment process:

• $4 million for the Cairns Community and Multicultural Centre.
• $2 million to upgrade the PCYC Cairns facilities.
• $5 million to upgrade the Redlynch Community Sporting Precinct.
• $2.65 million for Stage 2 of the Cultural Knowledge Centre in Dixie for the Olkola People.
• $1.96 million for streetscape beautification and shared cycle and pedestrian paths in Mapoon.
• $7.49 million for a new council administration and community hub for Wujal Wujal.
• $1.84 million for a Digital Services Centre in Hope Vale.

The Housing Support Program is one of a range of measures designed to help achieve the ambitious national target of building 1.2 million new, well-located homes over the next 5 years. For more information, visit: Housing Support Program.

The Growing Regions Program delivers investment in infrastructure across Australia's regional, rural and remote areas. For more information, visit: Growing Regions Program.

Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese:

“My Government is building Australia’s future, today announcing more than $50 million will be allocated to infrastructure projects across Far North Queensland.

“These projects mean more houses for more Cairns locals and better community facilities to bring them together.

“We want to see more social housing and more quality community led infrastructure where people need it most.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

“From Pormpuraaw to Cairns, we’re boosting homes and connecting communities by building the infrastructure they deserve.

“Whether cultural or community centres, sports facilities or town centres, we want to make our regions even better places to live, work and play – and that’s what we’re investing in here in Far North Queensland.

“This builds on our significant investment in Cairns through projects such as the Cairns Water Security, CQ University and Cairns Marine Project, and of course, the $7.2 billion we announced yesterday to fix the Bruce Highway.”

Quotes attributable to Senator for Queensland Nita Green: 

“I am so proud to be part of a Government that cares about and invests in the communities of Far North Queensland.

“The investment announced today shows that our Government is listening to the needs of our region and is delivering them.”