The Property Council of Australia has today joined the Queensland Council of Social Service‟s (QCOSS) campaign to secure 'A Fairer Queensland'.
The Property Council supports the five initiatives identified by QCOSS in the 'A Fairer Queensland – where no-one gets left behind’ strategy which recognises that strong resilient communities need affordable housing and investment, Queensland Executive Director of the Property Council of Australia Kathy Mac Dermott says.
“One of the priorities identified by QCOSS is the creation of 45,000 new affordable housing dwellings by 2020. We strongly agree that investing in a fairer Queensland means more affordable housing for all,” Ms Mac Dermott says.
“We want to work in partnership with QCOSS, all levels of government and other stakeholders to achieve this.
“We cannot divorce affordable housing from the broader housing supply challenge. The National Housing Supply Council estimates that we currently have an overall housing shortage of 62,000 dwellings in Queensland alone.
“This shortage is forcing first home buyers to remain in the rental market longer, thereby reducing the availability of low cost rental housing to the people who need it most.
“In recent years governments have been guilty of tackling this critical supply challenge in an ad-hoc manner.
“There has been no strategy, and no collective effort to tackle the myriad of elements that add cost and time to the delivery of housing and ultimately effect supply and affordability.
“At a national level we need to see a long-term commitment to the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) and a system that provides incentives for the delivery of innovative and affordable housing outcomes.
“In Queensland we need to focus on reforming the planning system as well as cutting red tape, taxes and other charges to encourage the building – and lower the cost – of new homes.”
QCOSS CEO Mark Henley has welcomed the support of the Property Council of Australia and says it is indicative of the sense of community that exists in Queensland today. “There is good support for the concept of „a fair go‟ where we support people who are disadvantaged and do not leave them in poverty and without appropriate support,” says Mr Henley
The five initiatives identified by QCOSS in 'A Fairer Queensland – where no-one gets left behind' are:
1. Strong communities, families and children
2. A minimum standard of living
3. Affordable housing
4. A strong community services sector
5. A permanent Fairer Queensland Investment Fund.
Click here for more information on 'A Fairer Queensland – where no-one gets left behind'
Property Council of Australia: Kathy Mac Dermott (07) 3225 3000. Mobile 0427 243 986
QCOSS: Ian Wynne 0414 643122. Mark Jeffery 0419 732 583. Mark Henley 0488 075 087.
