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Queensland’s 490 social and affordable housing project uses modular construction for efficient delivery.
Work is set to begin on Queensland’s largest-ever social and affordable housing project, located in Woree, Cairns. The joint effort between the Albanese and Miles governments will deliver 490 homes, with a focus on using modular construction. The project is designed to address housing stress in the region, especially among older Queenslanders and individuals with disabilities. (main pic: render of 490 social and affordable modular homes for Queensland.)
The Woree development will include 245 social, 223 affordable, and 22 specialist disability apartments. According to Premier Steven Miles, “Every Queenslander deserves a safe place to call home. This 490-home precinct is the biggest housing build in our state.”
Tetris Capital is managing the delivery of the project, with backing from the Queensland Government’s Housing Investment Fund. From design and planning to financing and construction coordination, Tetris Capital has overseen every stage and will continue its role as an investor in the project.
Tetris Capital Principal Ryan Slocombe says, “This is about more than just building homes. It’s about creating lasting social benefits and new opportunities for locals to access the housing they need.”
The project is the largest ever affordable social and modular housing project in Australia. Most of the materials and labour are planned to be sourced locally, with Modscape, a leading modular housing supplier, and FCC Construction Australia leading the building process. Modscape’s modular homes, constructed in Australian factories, will accelerate the delivery of the homes, providing both cost and time efficiencies.
Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon emphasised the importance of modular construction in addressing Queensland’s housing needs. “To build more homes faster, we’re partnering with community housing providers and rolling out hundreds more modular homes. This project in Cairns does both.”
Modular construction techniques will play a pivotal role in ensuring the homes are delivered efficiently, with completion expected by the end of 2026, subject to weather and construction conditions. The homes will be built to be energy-efficient and low-maintenance, catering specifically to people over 55 and those with disabilities.
The location of the project is a disused drive-in cinema, placed near key amenities, with direct access to transport routes, shopping centres, and recreational facilities, such as the Woree Aquatic Centre.
A collaboration between Community Housing Limited (CHL) and Tetris Capital, the housing development will offer onsite staff and lifestyle programs aimed at promoting community engagement and reducing social isolation. Minister for Northern Australia, Madeleine King, said, “This project is a great example of how the Northern Australia Investment Facility is supporting social infrastructure and making lives better for people living in the North.”
The project also signifies the largest residential development in Australia to utilise modular and prefabricated construction methods. This approach is expected to free up under-occupied homes by targeting older Queenslanders who wish to downsize. The shift could have a wider impact on housing availability in the region, freeing up larger homes for families.
The funding for the project comes from various sources, including Queensland’s $2 billion Housing Investment Fund, alongside lending from Housing Australia, ANZ, and the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility (NAIF). Cairns Regional Council has also contributed by waiving infrastructure charges to support the development.
This large-scale project represents a collaborative effort among multiple stakeholders, including Indigenous representatives. The land is traditionally owned by the Gimuy Walubara Yidinji people, and an agreed Indigenous Engagement Strategy will be implemented throughout the project’s development.
Premier Miles added, “I have a plan to build more homes faster while supporting first home buyers, renters, and the most vulnerable.” This project is a clear demonstration of that commitment, with the modular construction approach providing a model for future housing initiatives in Queensland.
