Howard Salkow

Senior Journalist

The peak body representing Queensland Councils is bitterly disappointed the Federal Government has rejected a united call for a National Housing Summit to explore solutions to the housing crisis.

The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) and 10 other peak bodies representing all sectors of the Queensland community and economy have written to the Federal Government and Opposition, calling for a National Housing Summit to jump start a collaboration involving all tiers of government and industry.

LGAQ CEO Alison Smith said councils stand ready to work with all levels of government and industry to find ways to address the housing crisis which is affecting the entire country.

The Australian Government is making key changes to ensure the Far North Queensland Designated Area Migration Agreement (DAMA) remains fit for purpose as the regional labour market has evolved throughout the pandemic.

Changes to the Far North Queensland DAMA include updating the range of occupations across which businesses can source workers.

Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs Minister Alex Hawke said these changes come at a critical point, as the region experiences an increase in vaccinated overseas visitors.

“The positive economic impact on a number of sectors, such as tourism and hospitality, has been strongly felt across Far North Queensland,” Mr Hawke said.

Blind eye

Douglas Shire Mayor Michael Kerr said the DAMA is a great start in heading towards regaining a work force in our region and others with qualified staff that are in short supply, an issue that is current in most fields.

“Unfortunately the side step that is required is housing as we have continued to ask for. So far the Housing Minister (Michael Sukkar) has turned a blind eye to the national housing crisis that our region and many other currently face. A national housing strategy created from a housing summit would be the obvious answer.

“Until this occurs we will find ourselves in the predicament that international workers will arrive with work available and then leave shortly after as they were unable to secure accommodation.

“The other problem small businesses will have is that it is cost prohibitive with the minimum wages for the Temporary Skilled Migration Income Threshold (TSMIT) currently AUD53,900. For a business to become a sponsor also comes with a hefty price tag often making this unavailable.”

Shirl Lyons, president of the Douglas Chamber of Commerce said housing remains the challenge.

“While I think this is a great initiative and businesses would welcome with open arms, we are still experiencing and will continue to experience housing and accommodation shortages for workers in our area,” she said.

Ms Smith, meanwhile said we are on the cusp of a Federal Election and local communities across Queensland, and indeed across the country, are looking to all levels of government and industry to show leadership on this important issue.

“The LGAQ, together with the 10 peak bodies supporting the call for a National Housing Summit, want to have a constructive conversation with the Federal Government on this issue.

Finger pointing

“Housing Minister Michael Sukkar has instead chosen to respond with political finger pointing.

“This response is bitterly disappointing to the LGAQ, and will no doubt be disappointing to voters currently struggling to find a place to call home, not to mention employers who are struggling to attract workers to regional centres because there is limited housing stock available

“If the Federal Government feels it has no role to play in finding a solution to this crisis, then it really begs the question as to why we need a Federal Housing Minister,” she said.

“We call on Minister Sukkar to reconsider our request because every Australian community deserves to be a liveable one and every Australian deserves to have a roof over their head.”

“As international travellers return to Australia in larger numbers, Far North Queensland will be well prepared and ready to share its world class hospitality and services.”

Federal Leichhardt MP Warren Entsch said the FNQ DAMA will continue to support a range of industries to help to drive the region’s post-COVID recovery.

“This initiative has already helped fill the employment void across many sectors,” Mr Entsch said.

Flood warning cameras

Meanwhile, new flood warning cameras have been installed in throughout North and Far North Queensland as part of a jointly-funded $8 million investment to deliver 174 extra flood warning assets across the state.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the new cameras would improve the ability for flood waters to be monitored remotely in real-time across the Whitsunday region and allow the community to be better prepared in the future.

“Improving our flood warning systems is an important way to limit the damage of future disasters,” the Premier said.

“These cameras will give locals more time to respond as threats emerge.”