LNG partnership to build affordable housing in Gladstone

In an Australian-first, three major LNG project operators, Australia Pacific LNG, Santos’ Gladstone LNG and QGC’s Queensland Curtis LNG Project, have signed a landmark $19.8m funding agreement to formally create Gladstone Affordable Housing(GAH), a not-for-profit company specifically structured to help respond to the shortage of affordable housing in the Gladstone region.

One of the key challenges for project development and the significant number of new jobs typically created is the availability of affordable housing and infrastructure in the project region.

The financial contribution from the LNG operators will enable Gladstone Affordable Housing to develop an initial 35 affordable dwellings for rent as a key part of a broader building development program which will also provide units for sale in a range of locations. Further to this, it is anticipated additional housing outcomes will be delivered during the life of the agreement, which extends to December 2015. It is envisaged any profits made from the sale of units will be invested back into the development of more affordable housing in the region.

Gladstone Affordable Housing will bring together the expertise of Brisbane Housing Company, Queensland’s largest not-for-profit affordable housing provider, and knowledge and experience of local housing needs through Gladstone social service provider Roseberry Community Services and the Gladstone Regional Council. Roseberry Community Services will manage the completed dwellings.

Aligned with the industry’s commitment to supporting local business, Gladstone Affordable Housing will be engaging local suppliers and contractors wherever possible to help support local jobs and invest in the region’s economy.

The launch of the Gladstone Affordable Housing initiative represents a significant step towards helping to ease affordable housing shortages.

Santos is already underway.  Employees moving to Gladstone to settle and work on the Santos GLNG Project can now move into new homes with 11 family houses ready for occupancy.  The completed houses, which were officially launched on Tuesday 28 February, are ideal homes for families with four bedrooms and two bathrooms.

Plans are also underway for a further 34 houses in Gladstone – 45 new homes in total – for Santos GLNG workers and their families, which will be completed progressively by mid-year.

The homes are designed to alleviate pressure on the town’s housing and rental market and further minimise our impact on the local community.

Occupants will be a mix of existing Santos GLNG workers already based in Gladstone, and new team members moving into town.

In addition to building their own housing and camps, Santos has provided $7.4 million to the Gladstone region for supported accommodation programs.

As part of this, $6.5 million was dedicated to the development of Gladstone Affordable Housing.

For those interested in more details, the following presentation deck provides a comprehensive overview of the initiative and scope: http://www.gladstoneregion.info/Portals/3/DOCUMENTS/GRED%20Speaker%20Presos/Gladstone%20Affordable%20Housing%20-%20Prof%20%20John%20McAuliffe%20AM.pdf.