This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
THE Queensland government has announced a $267 million building stimulus package to support the construction sector and launched a second round $10,000 grant to assist small businesses reopening post COVID-19.
The building package includes $100 million for housing construction to boost supply across Queensland and $50 million to local government to support minor works and projects in south east Queensland.
The stimulus also includes $106 million in first home owner grants and regional home building boost with $15,000 for any first home buyers purchasing a new home valued at less than $750,000 and provide an additional $5,000 grant for buyers of a new home (with the home being owner occupied and valued up to $750,000) in a regional location.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on Queensland’s housing and construction sector
“Together, the measures in this package will deliver jobs for electricians, plumbers, carpenters, bricklayers, concreters and landscapers, as well as a wealth of new opportunities for local businesses that support their work,” she said.
The government has also signed contracts to commence construction of an additional 215 new social homes across the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns, Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Gladstone, Wide Bay, Moreton Bay, Toowoomba and Ipswich.
Housing and Public Works Minister Mick de Brenni said it was expected 500 projects would commence by the end of September, a further 500 by the end of the year and another 1000 projects by the end of June next year.
“We’ve worked closely with the construction and housing support industries to identify these opportunities and we are looking forward to continuing this positive engagement as the pipeline of works rolls out,” de Brenni said.
The government will also provide an additional $100 million in the form of $10,000 grants to help sustain small businesses post COVID-19.
Premier Palaszczuk said a second round of the Small Business COVID-19 Adaption grants of up to $10,000 would be made available from next month to help more small businesses survive and maintain and grow their staffing levels.
“In the second round, we are prioritising regional areas and allocating half of the funding to support small businesses in regional Queensland,” she added.
“Small business owners, including those who had expressed interest in the first round, are encouraged to prepare the required documentation in readiness for grant applications opening on July 1,” Minister for Employment and Small Business Shannon Fentiman said.
“First round grants have been approved for businesses right across the state from the south-east corner to the Douglas Shire in the far north and west to Goondiwindi and Longreach.
“The upfront grants of up to $10,000 will assist those small businesses forced into hibernation, to restructure, significantly change their business operations or move online,” she concluded.
