Mayors urged to pitch for housing infrastructure cash

David Crisafulli has promised to spend big on regional housing infrastructure if elected in October. (Scott Radford-Chisholm/AAP PHOTOS)

Queensland mayors have been urged to pitch for funding after the opposition guaranteed to provide at least $1 billion for regional housing infrastructure if elected. 

Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli says projects will be assessed on merit, but mayors will need to be quick to share in the cash.

Polling indicates Mr Crisafulli is on track to end Labor's nine year reign at the October 26 poll.

The LNP leader revealed on Friday at least half of an existing $2 billion housing infrastructure fund would be pumped into regional Queensland if he wins.

"First in with the best plans will be rewarded," he told reporters.

"I have asked the mayors across the state to get ready for what their request is.

"It might be an upgrade to a sewer treatment plant to build capacity in an existing area.

"It can be as simple as street lighting - anything is on the table."

Mr Crisafulli said he hoped the $1 billion injection would help kickstart a regional Queensland housing build.

"It cannot continue the way it is. We cannot continue to see rental vacancy rates under one per cent in regional Queensland," he said.

"I am determined to unlock the keys to get young people into their homes and make sure others can afford to rent."

Housing is a key issue ahead of Queensland's election, with the state government planning to build one million homes by 2046, including 53,500 social homes.

LNP plans to boost home ownership include ditching stamp duty for first homebuyers who build their own house, saving more than $20,000.

There is a shared equity scheme to help potential buyers with at least a two per cent deposit while first home owners would have any restrictions on renting their property removed.

The opposition will also accelerate Labor's major house-building policy by promising one million homes by 2044.

License this article

What is AAPNews?

For the first time, Australian Associated Press is delivering news straight to the consumer.

No ads. No spin. News straight-up.

Not only do you get to enjoy high-quality news delivered straight to your desktop or device, you do so in the knowledge you are supporting media diversity in Australia.

AAP Is Australia’s only independent newswire service, free from political and commercial influence, producing fact-based public interest journalism across a range of topics including politics, courts, sport, finance and entertainment.

What is AAPNews?
The Morning Wire

Wake up to AAPNews’ morning news bulletin delivered straight to your inbox or mobile device, bringing you up to speed with all that has happened overnight at home and abroad, as well as setting you up what the day has in store.

AAPNews Morning Wire
AAPNews Breaking News
Breaking News

Be the first to know when major breaking news happens.


Notifications will be sent to your device whenever a big story breaks, ensuring you are never in the dark when the talking points happen.

Focused Content

Enjoy the best of AAP’s specialised Topics in Focus. AAP has reporters dedicated to bringing you hard news and feature content across a range of specialised topics including Environment, Agriculture, Future Economies, Arts and Refugee Issues.

AAPNews Focussed Content
Subscription Plans

Choose the plan that best fits your needs. AAPNews offers two basic subscriptions, all billed monthly.

Once you sign up, you will have seven days to test out the service before being billed.

AAPNews Full Access Plan
Full Access
AU$10
  • Enjoy all that AAPNews has to offer
  • Access to breaking news notifications and bulletins
  • Includes access to all AAPNews’ specialised topics
Join Now
AAPNews Student Access Plan
Student Access
AU$5
  • Gain access via a verified student email account
  • Enjoy all the benefits of the ‘Full Access’ plan at a reduced rate
  • Subscription renews each month
Join Now
AAPNews Annual Access Plan
Annual Access
AU$99
  • All the benefits of the 'Full Access' subscription at a discounted rate
  • Subscription automatically renews after 12 months
Join Now

AAPNews also offers enterprise deals for businesses so you can provide an AAPNews account for your team, organisation or customers. Click here to contact AAP to sign-up your business today.

SEVEN DAYS FREE
Download the app
Download AAPNews on the App StoreDownload AAPNews on the Google Play Store