Whitsunday Regional Council proposes solutions for housing shortage

The Whitsunday Regional Council is seeking a resolution to resolve the housing (accommodation) shortage and include offsets against headworks charges for local government, increase tax benefits for institutional investors and first homeowner benefits.

“A housing shortage is being experienced in many regional areas to an extent not faced before,” the council said.
“This is restricting job opportunities in key areas as new employees are unable to find suitable cost-effective accommodation and so return to capital cities.”

The resolution includes the proposal to raise tax incentives for negative gearing, compensate transport costs for construction materials to regional areas, affirm additional tax incentives for under-occupied housing, and legislate to support development to pay infrastructure charges after sealing and release plans of subdivision.

“The aim is to increase new housing numbers in regional areas that are currently experiencing a housing shortage and restore rental opportunities to an acceptable level,” the council said.

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