PLANS for a six-storey social housing complex have been proposed by the State Government for the heritage suburb of Woodend.
Now in its design phase, the Department of Housing and Public Works has proposed the 45-unit development for a site zoned for medium to high density under the Ipswich City Plan 2025 at 33-37 Darling St East.
The tower block would include ground-floor support spaces and 34 car parks.
The Department released a letter to neighbouring residents detailing the proposal, stating that the complex was intended to provide stable and affordable homes for seniors, low-income households and people living with disability.
The Department said the central location would give residents access to safe, secure and affordable housing close to central services, transport and social connections.
The proposal marks a significant shift for the area, introducing higher-density housing into one of Ipswich’s oldest suburbs.
As at the end of June, Ipswich held 1544 applications on the social housing waitlist, placing it ninth among the state’s 35 Housing Service Centres.
Demand is spread across local electorates, with 90 applications in Jordan, 279 in Ipswich, 380 in Ipswich West and Bundamba recording the highest need with 656.
One-bedroom properties remain in particularly short supply.
The Department says the project is part of Queensland’s broader housing strategy, which aims to deliver one million new homes by 2044.
A Department spokeswoman said the development was in the early stages and community consultation would be held.
“As with all state-delivered social homes, any community consultation will be undertaken in accordance with the Planning Regulation 2017,” she said.
