Modular homes delivered for Torres Strait Island Regional Council through MMC Queensland program

A prototype home co-designed with the Torres Strait Island Regional Council is offering a glimpse into how modular construction is reshaping Queensland’s remote and regional housing landscape.

Delivered under the Queensland Government’s Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) program, the home was developed by QBuild in collaboration with the Office of the Queensland Government Architect (OQGA) and Bark Design Architects. The new build—located on Minjerribah, on Quandamooka Country—was fabricated in a Rapid Accommodation and Apprenticeship Centre (RAAC) before being installed on site.

Peter Nelson, Advisor, MMC Strategy and Design at OQGA, described the build as “a wonderful modern home and an example of modern methods of construction.”

“It’s about building good homes that are energy-efficient, that are accessible, to meet the needs of more Queenslanders,” Nelson said. “We’re committed to ensuring that this program delivers well-designed homes that can adapt to people’s individual needs. That’s why working with local councils is a vital part of the process.”

Working alongside the Torres Strait Island Regional Council, the team incorporated culturally responsive design elements into the prototype. These included sloped ceilings for improved ventilation, generous bedrooms, and outdoor areas for cooking and washing—features that align with family and community-focused living.

“Like Torres Strait Islander people, the Quandamooka people have large families, and we do a lot of outdoor hunting,” said Josh Walker, Site Manager at Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee Aboriginal Corporation and a Quandamooka Songman.

“We’re both saltwater people, so the way these homes have been built really aligns with our lifestyle… I love the design—how the ceilings slope upwards to allow airflow. The rooms are quite spacious. All in all, I think it’s a really good design and an excellent plan.”

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The MMC program is part of a broader effort to deliver modular construction outcomes faster and at greater scale across Queensland. Russell Ash, Delivery Manager at QBuild’s SEQ RAAC, said the controlled factory environment enabled a compressed construction timeline.

“It’s raining today outside, but inside the factory, the wet weather has no impact on the program,” he said. “The homes we’re building here are for social housing—for people in need—as well as government employee housing, such as for doctors, nurses, and teachers.”

Ash added that the build had personal meaning for the QBuild team: “It’s rewarding for all the staff—not just to be involved in building these homes, but to build them for people who truly need housing across Queensland.”

QBuild is currently working with 11 MMC suppliers under a Standing Offer Arrangement, with an additional seven prequalified through an open tender. The broader goal is to support a skilled pipeline of modular builds using volumetric, flatpack, and kit-of-parts construction.

“It’s about building to last,” Nelson added. “Homes that will stand the test of time—especially for those most in need.”
See: Queensland Government – Modern Methods of Construction program