National award for visionary approach

City of Moreton Bay has won a national recognition for its approach to housing challenges, including housing insecurity and homelessness.

Council received the Affordable Housing category in the National Awards for Local Government at a presentation in Canberra last week.

The peak awards for the sector, now in their 40th year, showcase inspirational projects local governments are delivering in communities across Australia.

City of Moreton Bay’s Community Leasing for Social and Affordable Housing project, enables community housing providers and specialist homelessness services to access Council land through low-cost, long-term leases to develop social, affordable and crisis housing.

“An end to homelessness is a non-negotiable goal for City of Moreton Bay and we are working with frontline services, housing providers, community groups and all levels of government to deliver immediate and practical support to achieve this goal,” Mayor Peter Flannery said.

“Although housing and homelessness are ultimately the responsibility of other levels of government, Council is pulling every lever it can to combat the impact of the national housing crisis in our City.

“We are doing this through initiatives like our partnerships with Coast2Bay Housing and Bric Housing, where Council has provided land through low-cost, long-term leases for new community housing at Morayfield and Caboolture which will accommodate up to 46 people."

Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain said: “Local governments deliver vital services that Australians right across our nation rely on and these awards provide an opportunity to highlight and recognise this excellent work.”

Council is also waiving development fees and infrastructure charges for community and affordable housing.

To date, more than $2.28 million has been waived for eligible projects including a Redcliffe complex of 82 social and affordable homes.