As part of our advocacies since Sandy was elected in 2017 for Noosa’s housing needs, the latest updates are below and we will continue to post when new information becomes available to Noosa 360.
Doonella Street, Tewantin – social and affordable housing project
In a response to Sandy’s Question without Notice in Parliament on 11 June 2025, the Minister for Housing thanked Sandy for her advocacy, saying the government is getting this project of 32 units underway with a tender out for construction by the end of this year, contract awarded early next year, with the project forecast for completion by the middle of 2027. This is appreciated and we thank the minister as this project is one that aligns with the Noosa Plan, meets community expectations and facilitates downsizing for existing tenancies which will make available thirty plus family sized homes for our low income worker families The full response from the minister is available at https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/events/han/2025/2025_06_11_DAILY.pdf#page=24.
Downsizing incentives and a review of eligibility for social and community housing
With the Queensland Government announcing downsizing incentives of removal costs and some rent-free periods, Sandy said it is important for solo residents in family sized government tenancies who are happy to help our housing situation by downsizing, to get in contact with the Department of Housing to discuss their situation and these incentives.
Our advocacies over the last two years for a review of eligibility income thresholds that have not changed since 2006 has seen the new government respond with, and as included in our March 2025 Noosa 360 update, that the department are testing several methodologies for applicability in Queensland and conducting consultation with stakeholders before finalising any changes. However, Sandy cannot see this being completed before those identified in the announced review, as over the threshold, are required to find alternative housing. This is why we have requested any of the resulting family sized homes from those downsizing to Doonella St be transferred for management by community housing providers, who are not constrained by that outdated threshold.
Reform of the state facilitated development (SFD) process
As mentioned in our March 2025 Noosa 360 update, Sandy asked a Question on Notice (QON) in Parliament on whether the Government will review and revise the SFD legislation and regulations including the definitions for ‘affordability’ to deliver outcomes in line with community needs. The Deputy Premier answer in full can be seen at https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableoffice/questionsanswers/2025/123-2025.pdf. Due to no commitment being included and considering the confusion caused by use of the word ‘affordable’ in SFD applications due to inadequate definitions, Sandy has written in response outlining that whilst we understand and appreciate the amendments already passed in November 2024, applications going forward would deliver greater clarity with a refined and improved affordability definition in line with what the banks will actually loan to our working singles and families in Queensland, which as presented to our office is in the range of $450,000 to $500,000.
Olympic athlete accommodation legacy
As per the 23 May 2023 Crossbench united statement on the Olympics, Sandy has also been advocating that any built athlete accommodations must be transferred to either public housing or community housing providers after the Games. Included in a 1 April 2025 Deputy Premier QON response to Sandy, available at https://documents.parliament.qld.gov.au/tableoffice/questionsanswers/2025/262-2025.pdf, was the information that athlete accommodation in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast, will ultimately transition to a legacy of over two thousand dwellings after 2032, with a range of accommodation types after the Games, including an element of affordable housing. We have requested further information including how many dwellings this will be and whether they will be genuinely affordable for our low-income working families. This, as the affordability definition is currently inadequate as mentioned earlier.
Surplus state land housing audit
As mentioned in our March 2025 Noosa 360 update, after successful advocacy, the previous state government undertook a comprehensive state land audit, with the new government advising no surplus and suitable state-owned sites were identified within the Noosa Shire for housing development. In light of this, we requested whether the full audit would be made public, with the Deputy Premier’s office providing the following in italics in response.
We have been advised that while due diligence, feasibility investigations and consultation with stakeholders are undertaken on the suitability of government owned land for residential use, some sites may be discarded or added to the existing list and as such, it would not be appropriate to release details of individual sites under consideration.
Sandy has requested in a letter to the Minister for Housing that consideration be given to acquiring any suitable land that the Department of Resources own and may consider selling, as once any such land has passed out of state government ownership, it will be much more difficult and expensive to obtain in the future. We would appreciate any feedback regarding this from Noosa state electorate residents via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au to inform our ongoing efforts.
Further information
For our previous Noosa 360 updates on housing, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Housing.
To contact the Minister for Housing, email housing@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please cc’ our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward any response you receive to us.