QUEENSLAND Minister for Housing Meaghan Scanlon MP visited Cannonvale, on Tuesday, August 15, as she attended the region for the Great Whitsunday Housing Summit, held in Mackay.
Ms Scanlon’s responsibilities include homelessness and housing supply and delivery.
Ms Scanlon attended the construction site where social housing apartments are currently being built on Shute Harbour Road, next to the Cannonvale dog park.
The $5.5m project began in March, and consists of two, two-story buildings.
Ms Scanlon said the social housing apartments would be aimed at Queenslanders most in need, including those with a disability.
“Construction is well underway on 12 units here in Cannonvale; once construction is finished early next year, they will be a perfect place for, particularly, seniors and those with a disability,” she said.
“The bottom storey will be built to platinum standards, which means they are fully accessible.
“Overwhelmingly, we know many people on our social housing register are often single people and often there are people with a disability, so we’ve been working at designing these places appropriately for Queenslanders in need.”
Mackay construction company Fergus Builders are responsible for the project.
Ms Scanlon said she was pleased that the construction of the social housing was also providing jobs to locals.
“Importantly, these projects are also supporting local construction workers as well and right here we’ve got a Mackay based firm who are doing the work of employing locals that will ultimately deliver homes for Queenslanders in need.
“These will be completed early next year, obviously we will then go through a process to make sure those on the social housing register and those who need affordable housing are appropriately provided these homes.”
