Hon. MAJ SCANLON (Gaven—ALP) (Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works) (10.05 am): Our Homes for Queenslanders plan is the most ambitious of its kind. It is focused on building more homes faster. Our Big Build is a big deal. It is the biggest in the country, in fact. We have set a target to roll out 53,500 social homes by 2046 and we are already delivering. Across this state shovels are in the ground and we are opening the doors to welcome Queenslanders into their new homes.
One of those Queenslanders is Tamika, who last week moved into one of six modular homes in Gladstone with her five-year-old son, Kai. We have partnered with builders right across Queensland and our own public builder QBuild to roll out modular homes. Tamika says that their home will provide the stability they have been looking for. She said, ‘Kai is extremely excited. He’s been telling everyone about it. I’m trying to tell him, “Hey, we’re not going anywhere anytime soon. Just know this is your space and enjoy it.”’ I look forward to welcoming more people like Tamika, who now hopes to pursue her dream of becoming a cabinet-maker.
Right now we have close to 1,000 homes under construction, including 40 new homes that are undergoing finishing touches on the Sunshine Coast and new homes in Mackay, where I recently joined the Premier and member for Mackay. Queensland is one of only two states in the country to have increased both public and community housing in the last decade. Our Homes for Queenslanders plan shows that only the Miles government will deliver a social housing Big Build. This will be the most ambitious social housing program in Australian history. It is backed in by the Queensland Council of Social Services, Q Shelter and the Property Council, just to name a few. There are some who do not support our plan and have suggested it is too much. We do not think it is too much to build more homes for Queenslanders. More homes for Queenslanders is the long-term vision we need, and that is what our Miles government will deliver.
While I am on my feet I want to take this opportunity to advise the House that I have issued a proposed call-in notice for a mixed-use development application in Arundel. It is important to note this is a proposed call-in. Any decision will be made on planning merits and in consideration of any representations received during the 15-day period. I have notified stakeholders and will consider a range of state interests, including housing supply, infrastructure and the environment.
Queenslanders have made it clear: we need more homes. To do that, we need to ensure we have diverse and affordable housing supply.