LOCAL resident Emma Collins has been searching for a home in Ipswich for over a year, but says the shortage of available properties has made it nearly impossible to buy.
“I’ve been looking for months, but every time I find something, it’s either already sold or way over budget,” Ms Collins said.
“There just aren’t enough new homes being built, and prices keep climbing.”
With Ipswich’s population set to double in the next two decades, the demand for housing has never been higher.
Last week’s announcement of a $2 billion Residential Activation Fund aims to fast-track infrastructure projects and accelerate housing construction across the state – including in Ipswich, where demand continues to surge.
With the first round of applications opening next month and funding available from July 2025, the initiative seeks to remove infrastructure barriers – such as the need for roads, water, and sewerage – to enable faster home construction.
The fund is part of the State Government’s Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan, which targets the construction of one million new homes over the next two decades.
At least $1 billion will be allocated to regional Queensland, with Ipswich identified as a priority growth area.
Premier David Crisafulli emphasised the importance of infrastructure investment in supporting housing developments.
“Achieving our goal of one million new homes requires long-term infrastructure planning to support our growing communities,” Mr Crisafulli said. “This funding will help unlock new housing supply and ensure Ipswich families, essential workers, and first-home buyers have places to live.”
Local builder Mark Jensen, who has been developing homes in the area for over a decade, says the industry is struggling to keep up with demand due to delays in infrastructure approvals and land availability.
“We have the builders, we have the materials, and we have buyers ready to move in – but without the necessary infrastructure, we simply can’t build fast enough,” Mr Jensen said. “This fund is a step in the right direction, but we need councils and the government to speed up approvals and unlock more land for housing.”
