Our advocacy continues for any avenue to address genuine affordable housing, as well as additional emergency and transitional accommodation for our workers sleeping ‘rough’.
House with No Steps
For many years we have chased the former House with No Steps site in Doonan, originally in the Noosa Shire, however through boundary realignments transitioned to the Sunshine Coast Council. This site is ideally situated between the two council areas and could be utilised to meet several needs, including for housing.
Over the last 6 months we have been working with the successful proponent to Sunshine Coast Council’s (SCC) tender process and have requested that state government assist in addressing the barriers presented, as well to purchase a site that is suitable for transitional accommodation until housing projects currently in the pipeline are built as our businesses need workers.
Doonella Street Housing Project
Regarding this project, we were briefed by the relevant minister and requested additional details on the design and timeline and received the following information in italics:
- The Queensland Government is proposing to construct 16, one-bedroom and 16, two-bedroom homes at 26, 30 & 32 Doonella Street, Tewantin for use as social housing.
- The development will be configured as two-three-storey buildings linked by a walkway and serviced by two lifts.
- The development will include four Platinum level and 28 Gold level units designed in accordance with the Social Housing Design Guideline.
- There will be 32 car parking spaces on-site, including four car parking spaces for persons with a disability.
- These social homes may support households downsizing from larger family homes, freeing up public housing stock for families.
- A preliminary design has been completed, and the department has undertaken non-statutory community engagement with the adjoining properties to inform them about the project and give them an opportunity to provide feedback. The department did not receive any feedback.
- A tender for construction of the development was released on 6 November 2025 and closes on 4 December 2025.
- A construction contract is forecast for award in early 2026.
Renderings of the proposed Doonella Street Housing Project
Whilst this property is currently for social housing, we continue to seek a component of ‘affordable’ housing within the project to also assist with low-income workers, however this is yet to be approved by the minister.
As other projects like this are realised it will provide options for solo residents in family-sized government dwellings to downsize to these, freeing up those larger homes.
Accommodation for First Responders
Our local Police Inspector John sought our assistance to find six-month lease options for police, paramedics and firefighters, so they can remain close to work while longer-term housing solutions are secured. We have since been advised that many in the community contacted QPS to express their interest in providing rental options.
With additional accommodation sought at the Noosa Heads Police Station, we submitted a Question on Notice to the Minister seeking clarity on the anticipated construction commencement date, and whether any subsidies are being provided to support temporary accommodation until permanent housing is available.
Residents can view and monitor this Question on Notice via the Queensland Parliament website at https://www.parliament.qld.gov.au/Work-of-the-Assembly/Questions-on-Notice-and-Answers/Questions-on-Notice-and-Answers-from-2004 by searching for Question No. 1483. A response is due on 8 January 2025.
Accommodation for Essential Workers
We continue to work with our community housing providers, including Coast2Bay Housing Group, and have requested for property owners in Noosa to consider head leasing their investment properties to provide subsidised accommodations to fellow Noosans while receiving stable rental income at market rates.
For anyone interested, please contact either Coast2Bay via 5451 2900.
Short Term Accommodation
With the Queensland Government stating that Local Government’s are best placed to regulate STAs through their local laws and planning schemes, we continue to work with the Deputy Premier to explore avenues to reduce the legislative barriers that are restricting Noosa Council from introducing further restrictions on STAs.
We also sent a plea to those who are short letting their investment properties in traditional residential areas to request they be made available for our long term tenants, as our businesses need workers to deliver services to our community.
Further information
For our previous Noosa 360 updates on housing, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Housing.
For more information on Coast2Bay, visit https://coast2bay.com.au/.
For more information on Youturn, visit https://youturn.org.au/.
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.