Land offer to help homeless

Mayor Peter Flannery has today revealed the first blocks of land available under a new plan for community housing and specialist homelessness providers.

Moreton Bay City Council will open expressions of interest by the end of this year for two council land parcels in Caboolture and one in Morayfield

The vacant sites at 33 Oakey Flat Rd, Morayfield and 72 and 74 Cox St, Caboolture will be for “social, affordable and/or crisis housing”.

They will be subject to planning scheme requirements and deliver a peppercorn lease under a 50-year exclusive use arrangement.

The blocks will be for registered not-for-profit community housing providers or specialist homelessness services to develop.

“It’s the first time we’ve done anything like this,” Mayor Flannery said.

“The situation is dire. The stark reality of homelessness these days is it could be anyone from parents with young children, grandmothers or even professionals.

“That’s why in July, we announced that we would audit our current land holdings to determine if there were any locations that could work for the purpose of community housing.

“Changing City of Moreton Bay’s Community Leasing Policy means we can lease council-owned land, that is not needed right now, for the purpose of community housing that can put a roof over the heads of locals doing it tough.

“We’re hoping this will see specialist providers interested enough to work with us to develop, maintain and manage these sites for crisis, social or affordable housing.”

Cr Adam Hain (Div 3) said the social housing system had not kept pace with the pressure being put on it - and that pressure was increasing locally.

“I’ve seen the awful impact homelessness has on residents in my area and it is something, as community leaders, we should all be working on together to make a difference,” he said.

Caboolture Community Action President Sharin Geeves said there has been a “substantial increase in the need for more support services including food relief, housing assistance and referrals”.

“Any extra initiatives that help residents in need are very welcome and I hope that community and housing providers get behind this opportunity,” she said.