Delivering housing at scale requires more than land availability — it depends on the right infrastructure being delivered at the right time.
At Elliot Springs in Townsville, Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) has partnered with industry to co‑fund $15 million of critical enabling infrastructure, helping unlock the community’s first 1000 homes, bringing homes to market sooner for Queenslanders.
Through catalyst infrastructure funding, EDQ works with developers to address the upfront infrastructure challenges that can otherwise delay or constrain new communities.
Why upfront infrastructure matters
Large‑scale residential developments rely on major infrastructure such as water, sewer and transport networks being in place early. These assets are often high‑cost, one‑off investments that are required before homes can be delivered — and before revenue from land sales begins to flow.
Without support, the cost and risk of delivering this infrastructure upfront can slow the pace of development or limit the scale at which housing can be delivered.
EDQ’s catalyst infrastructure funding helps address this challenge by providing certainty to industry and enabling critical infrastructure to be delivered earlier in the development lifecycle.
A stronger outcome for the Townsville community
In regional communities, delays to infrastructure can have a disproportionate impact on housing availability and affordability. By co‑funding enabling infrastructure at Elliot Springs, EDQ is helping ensure Townsville has a pipeline of serviced land ready for development, supporting local employment during construction and creating long-term opportunities for residents. This early investment helps communities grow in a planned, responsible way while delivering the homes needed to support the region’s future.
Certainty that enables delivery
At Elliot Springs, catalyst infrastructure funding has supported the delivery of key trunk infrastructure needed to unlock the first stages of the community and enable future growth.
This co‑investment model reduces risk, provides certainty around infrastructure delivery and allows developers to plan, sequence and deliver housing more efficiently.
By bringing forward essential infrastructure, developments can progress with confidence, supporting faster delivery and helping land reach the market sooner.
Partnering with industry to deliver outcomes
Catalyst infrastructure funding is one of the ways EDQ works with industry to deliver housing in the right locations, at the right time.
EDQ catalyst infrastructure funding has been critical in enabling the delivery of the Elliot Springs masterplan community, funding the delivery of essential infrastructure like sewer, water and transport upgrades for the community.
The injection of the catalyst infrastructure loan allowed us to bring forward trunk infrastructure, and helps organisations like Lendlease to unlock and deliver land at scale and pace, creating homes that are much needed for Queenslanders.
Justin Davies
Executive Director, Lendlease
By partnering with developers and co‑investing in enabling infrastructure, EDQ helps unlock land supply, accelerate delivery and support the creation of new communities across Queensland.
Learn more about EDQ’s role in infrastructure planning and funding.
