General News
9 October, 2025
Flinders Shire has sights set on Townsville Defence housing
Kate Peddle believes Outback councils should be first in line to receive the housing.
Flinders Shire Council is urging all levels of government to partner with Outback Queensland communities in securing a portion of the 68 disused Defence Housing Australia (DHA) homes currently available for relocation from Aitkenvale to help solve the worsening housing crisis across the region.
With the CopperString project ramping up construction, communities along the line – from Charters Towers through to Cloncurry – are preparing for significant growth.
However, Flinders Shire mayor Kate Peddle said a lack of housing threatened to stall momentum.
“As a council, we have 20 vacant, fully-serviced lots available right now in Hughenden,” she said.
“We could move these houses in tomorrow and have them filled the next day. That’s how urgent the need is – not just here, but across the entire corridor.”
Flinders Shire’s recent needs analysis shows 40 to 50 homes are required in Hughenden alone to meet growing demand from state services (education, police, and health), private enterprise, and people wanting to relocate for new job and lifestyle opportunities.
However, construction costs in remote communities are prohibitively high – with a basic new build costing up to $750,000 – leaving councils like Flinders Shire with little capacity to meet demand through traditional means.
“We might be able to build one house a year,” Cr Peddle said.
“Meanwhile, we have 33 vacant positions in council’s structure that we simply can’t fill, because people can’t find a place to live. It’s a vicious cycle that’s stalling our growth.”
James Nielsen from Flinders Rural Real Estate reinforced the depth of the issue.
“Homes are selling before they even hit the market,” he said.
“We’ve got families, workers, even businesses ready to move here, but nowhere to put them.”
Relocating the unused DHA houses would be an immediate and cost-effective solution – not only for Flinders Shire, but for neighbouring councils including Charters Towers, Richmond, Julia Creek, and Cloncurry, who are all grappling with the same housing pressures.
“With government support, those 68 houses could be divided across our communities and make a hugely positive impact right across the west,” Cr Peddle said.
“We’re not asking for much – just a chance to capitalise on the opportunity that CopperString has created. The government has backed the line – now we need help to build the communities along it.”
She said restoring and upgrading the relocated homes would also stimulate the local building industry, providing a steady stream of work for regional trades and contractors.
“These homes will need work – and that’s a good thing. It creates jobs, supports local businesses, and brings life back to the communities that will power the next chapter of Queensland’s growth," the mayor said.
Cr Peddle confirmed that Flinders Shire would be submitting an Expression of Interest, but stressed the importance of government partnership.
“If this goes ahead, you might not hear us knocking on the government’s door for housing support for a while,” she said.
“This is a rare opportunity to make real, immediate impact with infrastructure that already exists. Let’s not waste it.”