Building more housing isn’t always as easy as sticking a few bricks together (if only this were the case). Housing requires land, essential enabling infrastructure such as water, sewer and roads – and that’s generally all before the first slab is poured!
That’s why it’s important to acknowledge when we’re doing great things in creating the foundations to future housing for Queensland.
Waraba’s new water and wastewater infrastructure
Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) has been critical in helping to secure Queensland Government funding towards the first stage of new wastewater and water infrastructure, to be undertaken by Unitywater and six private developers, for the new city of Waraba (formally Caboolture West).
Unitywater’s $90 million program includes a $25.55 million low interest loan from the Building Acceleration Fund (BAF) and a $13 million grant from the Stage 1 SEQ City Deals Growth Area Compact (GAC).
This essential infrastructure will be built in Lilywood, the first new suburb, to assist in facilitating the delivery of more than 2,500 homes in the new Lilywood community in the future city of Waraba. Waraba will ultimately have approximately 30,000 homes and be home to approximately 70,000 people.
Lilywood
Lilywood is situated on approximately 266 hectares and will support a new urban community with a range of housing options with walkable neighbourhoods, local parks, a shopping district, sporting fields, new schools and a Town centre.
But for all these to happen, it’s important to first have in place the essential infrastructure required for a new community to function. That’s why the Unitywater works are so important.
Building Acceleration Fund (BAF) loan
The BAF is a key Queensland Government initiative that invests in infrastructure that unlocks development, generates construction activity and creates long-term employment.
The $25.55 million low interest loan was approved in mid-2023 for the Unitywater water and wastewater infrastructure to assist in the delivery of more homes in the Waraba community.
Growth Area Compact (GAC) grant
Late last year, $13 million was approved to further help in the design and construction of the infrastructure in the Waraba growth area. This money falls under stage 1 of the SEQ City Deals GAC.
The SEQ City Deal GAC 2023 comprises of $100 million in Queensland Government grants, $10 million in City of Moreton Bay grants, and $100 million Australian Government funding, focusing on the delivery of infrastructure to bring forward affordable housing in Waraba.
So, what about the remaining $87 million in Queensland Government GAC grants? This Stage 2 GAC funding will aid in a more coordinated approach towards enabling infrastructure, generally including key new transport, water supply, sewerage and stormwater networks.
The Queensland Government and EDQ, are now undertaking detailed planning for Stage 2 of GAC in consultation with City of Moreton Bay.
