Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works

Brisbane Pride Fair –the crown jewel of the Brisbane Pride Festival –is right around the corner! This Saturday, Musgrave Park will be transformed into a rainbow playground to celebrate and connect with our LGBTIQA+ community. The event will feature exciting live performances, community stalls (like ours!), food vendors and fun activities 🌈 Fair Day will be held on Saturday, 21 September 2024 at Musgrave Park, South Brisbane, from 10am to 5pm. Secure a ticket now 👉🏾 https://lnkd.in/gMBQi-bg

The new $3.4 million St George Harmony Centre, jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, is a unique piece of infrastructure for the Darling Downs region. Officially opened yesterday, the cultural hub will celebrate the region’s Kamilaroi, Gamilaraay, Gunggari, Mandandanji, Kooma, Bigambul and Euahlayi First Nations peoples. The South West Queensland QBuild team undertook procurement management, project management and was the contract administrator for the project. The Harmony Centre will be a place for the town’s Indigenous and non-Indigenous families to gather and celebrate local culture, and for community Elders to engage with local youth. It will include artefacts from the local cultures and a recording studio to preserve First Nations’ languages, songs and stories that are part of a 60,000 year-old culture. The centre features a main gallery space which will showcase local Indigenous artworks and also host exhibitions from across Australia. "It's great to have been a part of such a meaningful project that will have a fantastic impact on the community," Superintendent Murat says. "The Harmony Centre will give locals an opportunity for cultural immersion." The project was jointly funded by the Australian Government and Department of Regional Development, Manufacturing and Water for South West Indigenous Corporation.

It’s important to understand how to request payment once you’ve completed construction work or supplied goods and services. Know how and when to make a payment claim so you don’t forfeit your rights to dispute resolution if the claim is disputed or you don’t get paid. For a step-by-step guide and other helpful resources, visit: https://lnkd.in/g8eXUHV8 Security of payment laws are in place to help contractors and subcontractors get paid for their work. To learn more 👉 https://lnkd.in/gWmwWg28

At QBuild, we’re committed to Think Safe. Work Safe. Home Safe. And that includes mental health. Last week, QBuild staff from across Queensland came together to show their support for MATES in Construction QLD & NT Fly the Flag Day.    The day was an opportunity to celebrate our MATES volunteers who work every day towards improving mental health and preventing suicide in the construction and building industry.  “It was such a great event to recognise the efforts of our staff working to improve mental health and wellbeing outcomes,” says Tom, Health & Safety Advisor and MATES ASIST (Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training).     “It’s great knowing that MATES is here when times are good and when times are tough. They’ve helped create a positive culture in our workplace and I hope that all our staff know they’re not alone and someone is always there looking out for you.”

Our Local Government Division proudly sponsored this year’s Local Government Managers Australia Conference (LGMA) in Cairns. At this year’s conference, held from 27-29 August, delegates explored what leadership in local government looks like, and how this leadership could be adapted to meet the immediate and long-term needs of local communities. We were represented at this event by Emily Carrigan, our Executive Director of Strategy and Service Delivery in the Local Government Division. As part of the stakeholder panel, Emily collaborated with industry leaders to discuss the essential role of local government as community leaders, our interaction with other community leaders, and delivered a report card outlining where local government excelled for the state and where they may be gaps or overlaps in responsibilities. This conference provided a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas that can drive communities forward together. Find out more about LGMA here: https://lnkd.in/gF7sGE5r Local government plays an important role in community governance. To learn more: https://lnkd.in/gtCUBapx

The Queensland Housing Finance Loan is here to bridge the gap for Queenslanders who are ready to buy or build a home but struggle to secure a loan through traditional banking channels. If your household income exceeds $141,000 per year, this loan can help you purchase an established property or build a new home. The loan features: • A choice of variable or fixed interest rate • A minimum deposit of just 2% of the purchase price or the difference between the maximum eligible loan amount and the property price • No lenders mortgage insurance or monthly account-keeping fees. As part of a two-year trial, we’re offering this loan in 45 local council areas, with an increased income eligibility of up to $201,000, making it more accessible for those in regional Queensland. Find out if your area is included in the trial 👉🏾 https://lnkd.in/gSFqxq2m This initiative is a key component of our Homes for Queenslanders plan. Find out more about how we’re helping first homeowners into the market 👉🏾 https://lnkd.in/g8WGGP8q

“A home is stability. Once you’ve got that, you’ve got so many more options. Your life flourishes from that.” Leanne and her son Cameron have been living in their Mountain Creek home for six years, with their rent subsidised as part of the National Rental Affordability Scheme. But when the Federal scheme was due to end, Leanne faced the prospect of having her townhouse return to the private rental market – a change she couldn’t afford. National Affordable Housing – a not-for-profit enterprise that aims to increase affordable housing supply – was able to buy several townhouses in the Mountain Creek complex thanks to funding from the Queensland Government. This means that Leanne, Cameron, and other residents can stay in their homes. “This program is vital,” Leanne says. “Having your own home brings happiness and, overall, it’s very good grounding for your mental health too.” Leanne, a part-time cleaner, is friendly with many of her neighbours and she enjoys pottering in her little garden and walking on the beach as much as possible. Cameron is about to start studying IT. “I’m extremely grateful and I love my home, because I love where I live,’’ she says. “My son is an extreme homebody too, so it’s lovely knowing he’s got a safe haven.”

Maryborough will soon have another seven social homes to support the local community! We’ve engaged New State Builders to deliver a combination of one- and two-bedroom homes. These homes are aimed at single people, couples, people with disability, and older Queenslanders looking to downsize from their current social homes. Two of the homes will be designed to Gold accessibility standards, making them comfortable living spaces for people with disability and seniors with mobility needs. Artist impressions by New State Builders. As part of our Homes for Queenslanders plan, we aim to deliver 53,500 additional social homes by 2046. Want to know more? 👉🏾 https://lnkd.in/g8WGGP8q

Whether you’re in commercial or domestic building work, a written contract is the best way to protect yourself. You can use a contract template from a major industry association or one you develop. What’s included in the contract will vary depending on the type of work undertaken. Before signing a contract, seek legal advice to ensure you understand your rights and obligations, including the scope of works, and payment terms and timeframes. To learn more about construction contracts, visit: https://lnkd.in/gvg3yAfS

We’re building 34 modular homes for Bundaberg! 24x two-bedroom and 10x one-bedroom social homes have hit the factory floors and will be constructed by our partner, Saltair Modular. Once completed, they will be trucked to Bundaberg East. Half of the homes will be built to Gold accessibility standards, making them ideal for older Queenslanders and people with disability. As part of our Homes for Queenslanders plan, we aim to deliver 53,500 additional social homes by 2046. Want to know more? 👉🏾 https://lnkd.in/g8WGGP8q