TNQ Housing Summit 2024 – Update (2025)

Regional Advocacy…

Following on from the collaboratiave efforts culminated at the Regional Housing Summit held in 2024 (see event details and speakers below) RDA Tropical North (RDATN), in collaboration with the Torres Cape Indigenous Councils Alliance (TCICA) and with the support of FNQ Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC), is actively working to tackle critical housing and infrastructure issues across Far North Queensland.

Key Challenges in the Region

Far North Queensland faces complex and urgent challenges related to:

• Housing Shortages: A lack of mid-density housing, particularly in remote Indigenous communities.
• Aging Infrastructure: Trunk infrastructure in Indigenous communities is at the end of its lifecycle.
• Land Availability: Limited access to suitable land for housing developments.
• Rising Insurance Costs: Exorbitant strata insurance premiums discourage investment in the region.

Highlights of the TNQ Housing Summit 2024

The Summit brought together more than 100 attendees, including representatives from all levels of government, not-for-profit organizations, and the private sector. Key presentations and discussions focused on:

• Existing and planned housing programs.
• Policy and planning barriers.
• Collaborative solutions for housing and infrastructure.

Key Outcomes:

1. A shared commitment to addressing barriers to housing development.
2. Identification of top priorities, including:
   • Tackling the impact of short-term accommodation (e.g., AirBnB).
   • Promoting modular housing solutions tailored to regional needs.
   • Encouraging collaborative housing models.

Advocacy Priorities

As a result of the Summit, RDATN has outlined several critical advocacy points for state and federal governments:

1. Renewed NPARIH Program: A second round of the National Partnership Agreement on Remote Indigenous Housing, with a focus on Cape York Peninsula, the Torres Strait, and Yarrabah.
2. Infrastructure Investments:
   • Complete asset audits for all Indigenous communities.
   • Establish a Trunk Infrastructure Fund to support housing developments.
3. Policy Changes:
   • Stamp duty incentives for downsizing in regional areas.
   • Incentives for Tier 1 community housing providers.
4. Insurance Affordability: Ensure the Federal Reinsurance Pool delivers significant reductions in strata insurance costs.
5. Modular Housing:  Consider that delivery of timber-based modular housing be expanded throughout the Cape York Peninsula.
6. Land Availability:  Advocating for policies to address the critial shortage of land for mid-density housing, particularly in remote communities.
7. Stamp Duty Considerations: To encourage downsizing and free up housing stock

Next Steps

The outcomes and feedback from the Summit will form the basis of a unified advocacy strategy, led by RDATN and TCICA.  This includes finalizing local housing action plans, addressing funding gaps, and collaborating with Indigenous councils on sustainable housing solutions.

To date correspondence and engagement has occured between RDATN, TCICA and Federal Minister for Housing of Australia, The Hon. Clare O’Neil and the State Minister for Housing and Public Works, The Hon. Samuel O’Connor.   RDATN and TCICA will continue in their efforts to advance these solutions to form the basis of a concerted advocacy strategy.

Get Involved

Your voice matters. Join us in advocating for the housing and infrastructure support our region urgently needs.

For more information and updates, contact:

• Sonja Johnson, CEO, RDATN – ceo@rdatropicalnorth.org.au
• Michael Miller, EO, TCICA – michael.miller@tcica.com.au

Together, we can build a stronger, more sustainable future for Far North Queensland.

TNQ Housing Summit 2024  (Event)

Regional Focus and Collaboration…

In July, RDA Tropical North (RDATN), Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC)  and Torres Cape Indigenous Council Alliance (TCICA) brought together Federal, State and local government representatives and key regional stakeholders from the not-for-profit and private sector to seek accommodation solutions at the Tropical North Queensland Housing Summit held at The Cairns Institute, JCU.

More than 100 attendees registered to hear from government sectors and from the the not-for-profit and private sector to understand what programs were currently being delivered, planned and implemented.  This was then followed by several panel discussions and workshop to identify gaps and select the top five solutions.

Media Coverage