General News
13 August, 2025
North West councils to benefit from $2 billion fund
The Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Burke and Carpentaria councils have all been allocated a slice of the pie.
The state government is delivering fast-tracked construction of almost 100 new homes in the North West under its $2 billion Residential Activation Fund.
Four projects in the Mount Isa, Cloncurry, Carpentaria and Burke councils will be funded under the landmark program, unlocking 94 new homes.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie, said the Residential Activation Fund was set to unlock thousands of new homes across Queensland.
“The Crisafulli government is delivering on our election commitment to give more Queenslanders a place to call home by funding shovel-ready projects which will unlock almost 100 new homes in North West Queensland,” he said in Mount Isa on Friday.
“Partnering with councils across North West Queensland will unlock much-needed housing sooner. The Residential Activation Fund is just one way the Crisafulli government is creating jobs, unlocking housing and delivering much-needed infrastructure across rural and regional Queensland.”
Mount Isa mayor Peta MacRae thanked the state government for their investment in Mount Isa.
“This funding will open up new land for development by helping relieve pressure on existing road, water and sewer infrastructure services in Healy Heights and the future Gliderport Development,” she said.
“The road will connect the end of Wright Road to Duchess Road, opening up new land for development by helping relieve pressure on existing road, water and sewer infrastructure services in Healy Heights and the future Gliderport Development.
“I thank the state government for awarding Mount Isa City Council this $5.1 million grant.
“Continued growth in the area has placed additional demand on the local roads and services in Healy, and an additional road to Duchess Road will help reduce congestion through the streets of Healy.
“By easing the pressure on existing infrastructure, this opens up new areas like the Gliderport and the final stages of Healy Heights to be further developed, which would allow for more than 100 new home sites.
“We will also see improvements in road safety.”
Mount Isa City Council is looking to start construction on the new road in 2026.
Meanwhile, Burke Shire’s acting mayor Chris Wilson said the Residential Activation Fund would support critical infrastructure in Burketown.
“Our community is currently facing a critical shortage of accommodation for residents, government agencies, and contractors servicing the region. This project is a vital step toward addressing that shortage and supporting the town’s long-term growth,” he said.
Carpentaria Shire mayor Jack Bawden said the fund had already generated significant interest in the sale of lots at Carpentaria Shire’s rural residential subdivision.
“One of the key inhibitors to buyers investing in the subdivision during the past two years was the cost of connecting power to the blocks,” he said.
“This investment by the Queensland government means that council can supply power to the blocks, which is one less cost to the investor, unlocking 28 residential lots for the region.”
Cloncurry mayor Greg Campbell said the Residential Activation Fund would go towards detailed design of residential subdivisions in Cloncurry.
“This funding will allow council to continue working toward addressing housing supply issues in Cloncurry,” he said.
The $2 billion Residential Activation Fund received strong demand of 178 submissions – 64 from south-east Queensland and 114 from regional, rural, and remote Queensland.
Up to $1 billion was available in the first round, doubled from the original $500 million, in response to the overwhelming support and availability of shovel-ready projects.
Round one funding focused on the construction of critical trunk infrastructure needed such as water supply, sewerage, stormwater, and roads needed to unlock new residential developments.