Housing Forum on Track to Provide Solutions
« Back- The Goondiwindi Chamber of Commerce recently held a Housing Solutions Forum, with more than 50 businesses, organisations, community groups, investors and developers
- Attendees gained a better understanding of the challenges and opportunities of the current housing market
- Numerous local opportunities for private development available - including over 40 residential lots currently on the market in Goondiwindi
Last week more than 50 representatives from the local region attended the Goondiwindi Chamber of Commerce Housing Solutions Forum with the aim to work towards solving local housing issues.
The forum follows on from a similarly successful information evening held in Texas in partnership with Council and Texas Queensland Incorporated (TQI) last year.
Mayor of the Goondiwindi Region the Honourable Cr Lawrence Springborg AM was among a guest panel of speakers who shared their knowledge, experience and suggestions.
Businesses, organisations, community groups, investors, developers and other key stakeholders in the region heard a number of proposed solutions to the region’s current tight rental market.
These included assisting current tenants to access incentives to buy homes, which would help free up some rental properties and reduce the current reported rental list of more than 50 applicants.
Other suggested solutions to address the undersupply of affordable dwellings included land owners and employers investigating additional property options such as granny flats, farm accommodation or long-term multi-year leases to address the housing shortage.
Cr Springborg reminded attendees about Council’s initiative to incentivise new multi-dwelling construction by rebating all Council related fees.
As of January this year, Council introduced a rebate for all Council fees and charges associated with constructing new multi-dwelling buildings (applies to all Council planning, building, water and sewerage fees) for applications approved before 31 December with construction completed before the end of 2025.
The Mayor said that Council continues to do everything within its power to help relieve rental pressures, by removing our cost impediment.
Numerous attendees at the forum left with a renewed confidence that Goondiwindi is uniquely positioned to address the region’s current housing shortages with the availability of land already on the market and evidence that the cost of land and construction is met by sales price. Goondiwindi’s median sales price has unlike other regional communities, continued to offer a stable capital investment for residents, employers and investors alike.
“It was also a surprise to a number of locals to hear that there are builders in the region that have capacity to take on new builds, and commence works this year,” Cr Springborg said
“Goondiwindi has been listed by the Real Estate Institute of Queensland as having the tightest rental market in the state for the last three consecutive quarters. We are starting to hear of very concerning scenarios that will impact some of our more vulnerable community members such as the elderly and low-income earners. Tight rental markets create excellent opportunities for investors, but this needs to be balanced with affordable options and availability for all.
“With over 40 property lots available for purchase and immediate construction potential, investment is essential to provide more opportunities for critical rental accommodation for locals, and to attract essential workers to the region,” the Mayor said.
Plans are already underway for a similar forum in Inglewood.