Queensland councils welcome housing infrastructure boost, more needed
Published on 11 May 2026
Queensland councils welcome housing infrastructure boost, but more still needed
Queensland’s peak body for councils has welcomed a $2 billion funding package for critical housing infrastructure unveiled ahead of the Federal Budget but says more still needs to be done.
The Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) says the Federal Government commitment acknowledges a long-running advocacy campaign from councils.
“This is a positive step forward for Queensland councils and their campaign to secure more housing infrastructure investment,” LGAQ President Mayor Matt Burnettt said.
“We specifically advocated for more housing infrastructure investment in our Federal Budget submission and it’s encouraging to see the Federal Government heeding our call.
“And while this is a good starting point, more investment is needed to unlock the housing our growing communities need and we will continue to advocate for this.”
The new funding comes on the back of a resolution passed at the LGAQ 2025 Annual Conference calling on the Federal Government to create a permanent funding program dedicated to support local governments in the delivery and upgrade of trunk infrastructure necessary to unlock housing supply and accommodate population growth.
It also follows research conducted by the LGAQ in 2024 into the trunk infrastructure funding gap facing councils and their local communities which found a dedicated funding program was needed to support councils to deliver for their communities.
“With more housing development comes the need for more drainage, water connections, sewerage and other community infrastructure,” LGAQ CEO Alison Smith said.
“Councils do a lot of the heavy-lifting when it comes to delivering this housing enabling infrastructure and obviously we’re encouraged by this new investment.
“This Federal funding will further support the investment being made by the State Government through its $2 billion Residential Activation Fund, which has been a gamechanger in supporting councils and industry to unlock land for new homes.
“Our member councils want to see even more of this investment to deliver the infrastructure they need into the future.”
The LGAQ’s Federal Budget also includes call for:
- Increased untied funding to all councils to at least 1 per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue;
- A replacement for the disappearing Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program (LRCIP) set to end on 30 June 2026;
- Increased housing investment to tackle chronic overcrowding in First Nations communities.
For more information, please contact:
Martin Philip, Media Advisor
Phone: 07 3155 4003
Local Government Association of Queensland