A massive $300 million infrastructure investment is set to unlock more than 13,000 new homes in Cairns' southern growth corridor, providing a significant boost for first-home buyers in the Far North. The federal and state governments have jointly announced the funding package, which will deliver sewerage, road, and intersection upgrades in the Mount Peter Priority Development Area, located between Edmonton and Gordonvale.
First-home buyers to benefit
More than 5,000 of the new homes will be reserved specifically for first-home buyers, levelling the playing field in a competitive property market. Federal Leichhardt MP Matt Smith said the funding would future-proof the region for generations to come. "We've known for some time that Mount Peter is the natural expansion route for Cairns, and it's important that we get pipes in the ground and bitumen laid down so that we can build over 13,000 new homes in the region," he said. "This is a win for all of the Far North and a resounding vote of confidence in our region."
Funding breakdown
The $300 million package includes $110 million from the federal government, $110 million from the state government, and an $80 million concessional loan for enabling infrastructure. This forms part of a larger $2.4 billion deal between the state and federal governments to deliver more than 51,000 homes across Queensland, including over 20,000 exclusively for first-home buyers. The announcement also builds on the new $2 billion Local Infrastructure Fund, which includes $500 million for regional areas, announced in the federal budget.
Timeline and local support
The infrastructure funding will support the delivery of around 13,145 new homes by 2034, with 5,258 reserved for first-home buyers. Last week, Cairns Regional Council submitted a $45.4 million application to build critical infrastructure in the city's southern growth corridor as part of the state government's $2 billion Residential Activation Fund. The council has also committed $13.5 million to the project, including finalising design, pre-construction activities, and associated costs.
Assistant Minister for Northern Australia Senator Nita Green said the funding would help deliver the housing infrastructure needed in the Far North. "That's how you level the playing field and ensure that the dream of homeownership is accessible for young Queenslanders," she said. Property Council Queensland Executive Director Jess Caire noted that the funding reflects the scale and pace of growth in areas like Mount Peter. "Investment in these critical growth fronts through enabling infrastructure like roads, water, and sewerage is what unlocks new housing supply in the places that need it," she said. Master Builders and the Housing Industry Association also welcomed the funding.
