The federal government’s Budget has committed $2 billion for housing-enabling infrastructure, including $500 million dedicated to regional Australia – over four years from 2026-27, to fund critical infrastructure and build up to 65,000 new homes.
This includes ‘roads, drainage, water connections and community infrastructure that make new developments possible and liveable,’ explained Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) President, Mayor Matt Burnett.
‘This is a very significant investment, and it could not come at a better time. This commitment recognises that enabling infrastructure has been one of the biggest barriers to increasing housing supply and affordability across Australia.’
Affordability and liveability needed
While the ALGA has welcomed the commitment, Ballina MP Tamara Smith has told The Echo that, ‘the type of housing, and who it is for, are the billion-dollar questions’ that need to be answered.
‘We welcome investment in infrastructure that will support our communities and future growth,’ she said.
‘With state and federal Labor’s focus on housing supply the most important caveats are that we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to regulate that all new residential housing be fit for the changing climate, be built away from high hazard zones, and be suitable for anyone to live and age in.
‘We have seen that the state is selling Crown Land – the Commons – to private developers with no caveats around the design of homes and units whatsoever, and minimal or no requirement for genuinely affordable housing. That’s not only a dumbass trade deal but it’s robbing future generations. The failure to demand that developers future proof new homes for our climate and to deliver genuine, in perpetuity, and affordable housing on all Crown Land at state and federal level tells us of the capture of the old parties by the property industry.’
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