By Chelsea Ravizza

The nationally and internationally recognised and celebrated professional actor, Anthony Phelan, has returned home to the Burdekin region to live after travelling to purse an outstanding 42 year acting career.

Anthony has led an impressive and highly commended career garnering him numerous prestigious awards and infamous roles in the entertainment industry. Although the Burdekin in the 1970s did not provide a large concentration of acting and theatre opportunities, Anthony discovered his passion through alternative routes and had his first taste of the stage in end of year productions, and later within his role as a school teacher.  

Anthony began his working life as a teacher and made his debut at Home Hill State School in 1977 before he was transferred to Charters Towers Central State School in 1978. He then relocated to Brisbane where he began delving into theatre in education programs, and by working on the curriculum, he found his passion for acting. In 1981, Anthony officially left teaching behind, and began his journey as a professional actor, working with theatre companies like the La Boite Theatre, TN Theatre Company, Queensland Theatre Company in Brisbane, Sydney Theatre Company, Griffin Theatre Company and Belvoir Street Theatre.

“I moved to Sydney to see if I could survive as an actor, and thought if I could survive in Sydney, then I am meant to be in this profession,” explained Anthony.

“Brisbane and Sydney were very important to me and were a very important step of my growth and my exposure as an actor, particularly for learning, but amid all that, there was always this grounding in the Burdekin.

“It has always been home, I was born here and there’s still people here I grew up with.

“I always knew I wanted to come back here to live one day, I just wasn’t sure when that would be,” expressed Anthony.

Anthony’s time spent in Sydney not only garnered him a national standing, but also international recognition as a professional actor.

“Nationally, I have played for every State Theatre company, and internationally I have performed in New York, Washington DC, Vienna, and Amsterdam," expressed Anthony.

“I have also played the Ibsen Festival in Oslo, Norway, in Belvoir Theatre’s critically acclaimed production of 'The Wild Duck’, for which I was awarded a Sydney Theatre Award and Helpmann Award in 2011, for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.

“Apart from this the other great career high for me was walking out on the stage in NYC and I thought to myself, here is the boy from Ayr.”

Anthony has also had many roles in both film and television, and most recently his talents featured in Baz Luhrmann’s biopic, Elvis. He’s played roles in Home & Away, The Kettering Incident, Wellmania, Wanted, to name a few, and for Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones, he voiced Lama Su, one of the animated characters.

As well as creating many stage and screen roles, Anthony also works as a voice over actor and has had his voice featured in many productions, advertisements, and films.

“You have to be resilient in this profession to survive, and you must be ready, and able to work in many different ways,” explained Anthony.

In recognition of his extraordinary career, Anthony has been presented and nominated for many other prestigious awards including the Brisbane Theatre Critics Matilda Award, and nominations for numerous AACTA Awards. However, Anthony feels his career highlights lie in the art of learning.

“My greatest moments have been learning through the different stages of my growth as an actor, like any apprentice as there is a great celebration in learning something new,” he said.

“The greatest lesson being a professional actor is, you don’t stop working until you drop.

“That’s where the classic saying comes in, if you love what you do, you’re never really working.

“Often people disregard acting as an Art, an art form which will take all of your life to endeavour to get right.

“You can never perfect it.

“I don’t believe you can say an actor is perfection.

“I don’t believe that there is such a thing as the perfect actor.

“Someone might be exactly right for a role, the timbre of their voice, the right look, the right age, but no one is perfect, nothing is perfect, as we know, and the same applies to acting.”

Residing in the region, Anthony has had the opportunity to indulge in the talents of the Burdekin, where he has been blown away by fantastic local productions and performances.

“I am really impressed with local talent, and it’s quite extraordinary the differences between now compared to when I was growing up, because really, the talent has always been here, there just hasn’t been as many opportunities, and guidance, as there is now,” explained Anthony.

Anthony will continue working professionally whilst living back in the Burdekin. He will travel to Sydney in the coming weeks to perform in a production of 'Death Of A Salesman' by Arthur Miller at the Theatre Royal alongside Anthony LaPaglia, and directed by Neil Armfield.

Anthony knew he would always return to the region and is content to be surrounded by his very loving and supportive family, and of course the special friends he has known for most of his life.

“It’s just a draw that has always been there, and this is now home.”

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Professional actor is happy to back in his hometown. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie

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Rehoming fee: $195

DOB: 1/07/2022

Sex: Female

Breed: Domestic shorthair

Kid friendly: Yes

Dog Friendly: No

Other cats: Yes

Indoors/Outdoors: Indoors

Callie is a beautiful mumma cat. She arrived at Angel Paws Rescue heavily pregnant and with injuries after being attacked by a dog. Luckily, she did not sustain critical injuries in her delicate condition.

During her first day in care and she gave birth to seven beautiful kittens.

Callie is super sweet and loves to climb up onto her human and to be cuddled like a baby. She loves her pats so much she will even dribble.

Callie can be a bit shy on first meeting, but it doesn’t take long for her to warm up and become very affectionate and become a part of your wonderful family.

Callie is available for adoption desexed, microchipped, up to date on vaccines and is flea, tick and worm treated.

If you’re interested in meeting the gorgeous Callie please complete an animal enquiry form at https://www.angelpawsinc.com.au/forms.html

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Health experts are urging North Queenslanders to get ahead of the ‘flu season and book their annual vaccination as soon as possible.
Commonly known as the ‘flu’, influenza is a contagious respiratory illness which can spread quickly through the community.
Ayr Hospital Director of Nursing Tracey Gabiola said people should also be aware of other contagious respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), which are present in the community.
“You can catch influenza at any time of the year but there are usually more cases during cooler months between May and October,” she said.
“It is not the same as a cough or a cold and the virus can lead to complications like pneumonia - especially for vulnerable demographics.
“Sometimes serious cases of influenza can be deadly.”
Ms Gabiola said immunisation is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your whole family from respiratory viruses.
“Everyone aged six months and older can and should get a ‘flu vaccine this year,” she confirmed.
“The latest Influenza vaccine, which covers the four strains circulating in 2024, is quick and available now through most primary health providers including GPs and pharmacies.
“There are special stronger vaccines for people over 65 years.”
With other contagious respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and RSV present in the community, Ms Gabiola said vaccination remains the best way to protect against serious illness, especially for vulnerable people and those aged over 65 who should continue to remain up to date with booster vaccinations at least every year.
“RSV is particularly dangerous for infants in their first year and is the top cause of hospital admissions for babies,” she said.
“For the first time, all newborns in Queensland will be offered a free Respiratory Syncytial Virus immunisation before they leave hospital.
“Precautions like hand washing, staying home if sick, and not coughing on other people will also reduce the spread of respiratory viruses.”
Higher-risk groups include young children, people aged 65 years and over, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with certain medical conditions and pregnant women.
All Queenslanders aged six months and over can receive a free influenza vaccination until September 30, 2024.

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Ayr Hospital Director of Nursing Tracey Gabiola

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Wilmar Sugar and Renewables has delivered the first of four new $2 million locomotives to its home base.
Alma is now at Inkerman Mill in the Burdekin region where it will haul cane bins this production season, due to start in June.
A second new locomotive, Kirknie, will arrive at Inkerman Mill in June.
The other two, Leichhardt and Hinchinbrook, are heading to the Herbert region.
The four new locos are modelled on the Brisbane, which Wilmar designed and built from the ground up, and launched last year.
Burdekin Cane Supply Manager John Tait said the Alma was an exciting new addition to Inkerman’s fleet and would have a positive impact on reliability.
“Inkerman Mill has an ageing fleet and although our current locos do maintain reliability, Alma will be pivotal in improving the fleet’s overall cane-hauling capacity,” Mr Tait said.
Senior Project Engineer Chris Weight has managed the final phase of the new builds.
“The works program has included four new locos and two brake wagons, worth about $9M in total,” Mr Weight said.
“It was a big undertaking to complete all of the new builds in a single maintenance season, and I’m really proud of the teams who have worked so hard to deliver this package of work.”
Alma has the honour of being the first locomotive to feature the new Wilmar Sugar and Renewables logo.
The new builds are part of a much larger program to upgrade the extensive loco fleet across Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ four milling regions.
Wilmar Sugar and Renewables owns and operates 74 locos and more than 1,600km of cane rail network across the Herbert, Burdekin, Proserpine, and Sarina regions.

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Senior Project Engineer Chris Weight with the new 26-tonne locomotive, Alma
An inside view of the new Alma
Two cranes were used to lift Alma off the transport, by its front and back toe-ball, to lower it on to the railway line
Photos supplied

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I would like to express my sincere thanks for your vote at the recent local Government elections.  The polling results clearly indicated that so many of you showed faith in my ability to represent you in council effectively.  As a new councillor, I will do my utmost to honour that faith and I am excited to be working with the new team for the betterment of our entire Shire.
I would also like to thank the outgoing Mayor and councillors for their contribution during their time with council and the many worthwhile projects they have delivered.  
Recently I had the pleasure of attending the Home Hill Chamber of Commerce meeting where Tony Goddard gave a presentation on Ayr Rotary.  All service clubs are an integral part of our community, continually giving back, so please consider joining one of these wonderful organisations.  I also attended the Burdekin show committee’s recent meeting.  Such a big event falls on the shoulders of a very capable few who are busily planning this year’s show.   It once again, promises to be as big and exciting as ever.  
A tourism gem in Brandon is the Burdekin Heritage Precinct.  Councillors John Furnell, Fina Vasta and I met with 20 of the volunteers from Burdekin, Hinchinbrook, Charters Towers, and Townsville who were in town for the 2024 Visitor Information Centre Volunteers Conference for a tour of the facility.  In short, this place is incredible!  It is home to a 1910 Marshall C Class Tractor which is the only one of its class left in the world.  Tours can be taken through the complex on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays between 9am and 3pm.  Do yourself a favour and go check it out.

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The recent incident of a boating accident made the team at the Neighbourhood Centre think about the power of communities coming together. Family, friends, strangers, and people from different areas and backgrounds joined forces to search for the missing men, showing the strength of community connection. The emergency volunteers came from different places, but their shared connection brought them together for a common cause. It was an amazing outcome, showcasing the power of people when they come together.

This week, the Neighbourhood Centre team has been working on our Strategic Plan and reviewing our mission statement and vision for the Centre. We reflected on how communities can come together and help each other when presented with challenges.

Challenges take on different meanings for different people, and what may seem like an inconvenience for some may be an insurmountable task for others. However, sharing these challenges with others can open up doors to finding solutions. At the Centre, we support community members in discovering solutions to their challenges, and we hope that this encourages community members to share what they have discovered with others they encounter along the way.

Engaging in casual conversations is an excellent way to exchange information and energy without getting too personal, deep, or involved. It's important to remember that no one can solve other people's problems for them, but by sharing our experiences and solutions with others, we can create a ripple effect of positive change.

We think this quote by an anonymous author beautifully sums up the impact of a community coming together to support each other: “You think you’re just a drop in the ocean – but look at the ripple effect one drop can make!’

Until next week.

The Team
Burdekin Neighbourhood Centre

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Did you know that reporting local issues can be as easy as taking a photo and submitting it to ‘Snap, Send, Solve’?
This user-friendly platform is designed to streamline the reporting process, allowing you to select from a list of common issues, add a brief description and location, and submit your report in 30 seconds or less.
To report a local concern to Council, you have two convenient options: you can either download the 'Snap, Send, Solve' app for free or visit the website https://www.snapsendsolve.com/report/queensland. From there, you can fill out a simple online form and attach a photo of the issue.
Whether it's a pothole, a malfunctioning streetlight, or graffiti, you won't need to waste time figuring out who to contact. Plus, you'll receive updates on the status of your report and track how it's being resolved.

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Free coffee was on offer last week as Burdekin Chamber hosted its April Chamber Connect event in Plantation Park on Tuesday, April 16.
The Chamber are offering free coffee to its Chamber Connect attendees in a bid to drive attendance.
The trial is the latest of a number of initiatives aimed at boosting attendance and membership.
The Chamber is also offering free membership for businesses, not-for-profits and individuals who are elected to the executive committee.
Following a rebrand from Ayr Chamber of Commerce, Burdekin Chamber is excitedly launching their new website to align with the initiatives.
“The benefit of the website is it will have a map of our members as well as if they accept our gift cards,” said Burdekin Chamber President Leigh Kefford.
Burdekin Chamber’s trading name was changed after a motion was carried unanimously at last year’s AGM.
“It shows us as the chamber for the Burdekin,” Mr Kefford said.
“Giru and Brandon don’t have a chamber at the moment, so we want to support the businesses in those areas as well.”
The Burdekin Chamber’s next Chamber Connect event will take place on Tuesday, May 21 from 7:00am at Intersport Ayr where guest speaker Brett of Intersport will address attendees.
The following Thursday, May 23, the Chamber will host a Marketing Mingle: Networking & Marketing Night at the Kalamia Hotel from 6:00pm where guest speaker, JCU Lecturer and Boost Marketing Business Owner Natasha Butler will address attendees – drinks and food provided.

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Burdekin Chamber held a Chamber Connect event in Plantation Park last week

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The Home Hill Chamber of Commerce held its monthly Social and Networking Event last Wednesday, April 17, inviting Tony Goddard of the Rotary Club of Ayr to address the Chamber members.
Mr Goddard spoke to the Chamber about his involvement with the Rotary Club of Ayr and the club’s activities throughout the region.
He joined Rotary in 1994 after being asked to join by Norm Perry and Ross Lewis.
“My reason for joining Rotary was to do something extra or special for the community and the opportunity to give back and build better relationships within the community,” he said.
Mr Goddard said he is currently the second longest serving member of the Rotary Club of Ayr behind Frank Nucifora and has occupied most positions on the committee except Treasurer.
The club meets every Thursday at the Ayr Anzac Memorial Club from 6:30pm and currently has 20-25 members.
“Our club in Ayr was started in 1955,” Mr Goddard said.
“The Ayr club, when I joined, was an all-male club and it wasn’t until the early 2000s that we had our first female member.
“Our membership is reasonable stable, and our members come from varying backgrounds.
“Membership is free of religion and politics.”
Mr Goddard spoke about the club’s major initiatives and fundraisers including the Rotary Youth Driver Awareness (RYDA) program, the Norm Perry Memorial Duck Race, the annual phone book, community raffle and exchange programs.
He also spoke about major donations in the last 12 months made to local schools, hospitals, organisations and events.
The evening also involved a donation made from Home Hill Chamber of Commerce to Jenny Dowie, the chaplain at Home Hill State High School – flick back to page 3 to learn more.
The Chamber has invited Member for Burdekin Dale Last to be the guest speaker at the next Social and Networking Event which will be held on Wednesday, May 15 from 5:30pm at the Home Hill Community Sports Club.

Home Hill Chamber of Commerce Secretary Robert Antoniazzi, Vice President Uli Liessmann, Tony Goddard of the Rotary Club of Ayr and Treasurer John Clarke

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We’ve all heard of, and most likely caught a fair few Taxi’s in our lifetime, but have you ordered an Uber before?  

The American ride-share service has arrived in the Burdekin region with its debut being shared on Facebook, receiving high praise from the community.

Picking up locals since its introduction on 17 April, Megan Caspaney has begun her Uber driving career, and believes the community will warmly welcome this service.

“I am really excited about bringing this economical but unique transport service to our area and I’m looking forward to picking you up soon,” said Megan.

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Queensland families are feeling the pinch at the supermarket as fresh produce prices soar while farmers struggle to make ends meet. To address this disparity, the Queensland Government says it is taking proactive steps by introducing a farm gate price monitoring scheme led by industry experts. This scheme aims to establish industry pricing standards and monitor trends across the top 20 products through collating and analysing farm financial performance and pricing data.
"As Premier, I shared a story earlier this year of a farmer selling watermelons by the road for $10 each, because he couldn’t afford to sell it for the $4 he was offered by the supermarkets," says Premier Steven Miles, highlighting the need for fair compensation for farmers' hard work.
"Gearing Up Growers is about levelling the playing field," emphasises Rachel Chambers, CEO of Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers.
“We know Queensland’s produce holds more value than what is currently being paid and we are going to do all we can to support our growers to achieve a fair return at market.”
Jo Sheppard, CEO of Queensland Farmers’ Federation, stresses the importance of market transparency and fair trading terms.

“Food insecurity in Australia and globally is rising. We cannot sit on our laurels. We must work to support a sustainable future for food and fibre production for the benefit of future generations.”
Premier Miles stated the importance of equipping farmers with the tools and knowledge to advocate for themselves effectively.
"My government will work with industry to capture and analyse the cost of products from the farm gate to plate.”

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Simon Hood
Wilmar Manager Grower Marketing

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As the close of the 2023 pricing season nears, it's an opportune time to reflect on the journey it has been.
Opening in July 2020 with an indicative forward price of $350/t, the trajectory since then has been nothing short of remarkable, with the price steadily climbing to a peak of $950/t towards the end of 2023.
Describing the past 12 months as tumultuous would be an understatement.
At the beginning of 2023 pricing started at $550/t, steadily growing to $840/t, before dropping to $725/t in July. By late October, prices soared and we witnessed the peak of $950/t, only for it to drop once more to around $650/t by the start of 2024. This year we have seen prices fluctuate back up to $810/t, ultimately closing the season at around $675/t.
Comparing the average price of $550/t over the past three years with the $750/t average of the past 12 months, shows the volatility experienced.
Reflecting on Wilmar Sugar and Renewables’ performance in managing pools throughout this period, the primary pool used by growers was the Production Risk Pool, equivalent to QSL’s Harvest Pool. These pools are managed over a seasonal timeframe and prices may not be directly comparable to the average prices achieved by growers pricing on the forward market over a three-year period.
Despite the fluctuations, Wilmar remains dedicated to maximising returns for growers through informed pool pricing decisions. The graph below shows that growers who price under the Wilmar Production Risk Pool are consistently better off over a three-year period, than those who market with QSL’s Harvest Pool. With the 2023 season ending, significant changes to pool prices are unlikely with the expiry of the May #11 contract.
Over the past month, Wilmar’s Grower Marketing team has been bolstered by the addition of two new staff members, and some changes to increase the support for growers across all milling regions. Owen Richards will support Fiona Villis and Meghan Wilson in the Burdekin region with grower pricing. He will also be exploring new avenues to enhance profitability for growers across all regions through new products and services.
Similarly, Angus McKerrow will now split his time between the Plane Creek and Herbert regions to facilitate Wilmar’s growing presence.
In Townsville, Megan Hawke will oversee the administration by providing support to Wilmar’s growers and field team. Megan will work on enhancing grower relationships through updated communications and the development of pricing systems and tools.
Be sure to stay tuned for the upcoming quarterly analysis of pool performance and comparative outcomes. This report is a valuable resource for growers when evaluating their marketing strategies.
Additionally, Wilmar Sugar and Renewables will release an annual 2023 season pricing analysis to combine the results from all products and regions. It will provide a basis for growers to assess their current pricing strategies, and will be a reference point for the Grower Marketing team and how they will assist in GEI sugar pricing decisions, for the 2024 season and beyond.

Wilmar’s Production Risk Pool has outperformed QSL’s Harvest Pool for three consecutive years.

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The National Fall Armyworm Symposium was held at Brisbane’s Ecosciences Precinct on April 17-18, bringing together industry, government, researchers, and funders to tackle the challenges posed by the invasive pest.
"Fall armyworm infestations are now found in every important growing area in Queensland," highlights Minister Mark Furner, stressing the severity of this year's infestations and the critical role of research and extension efforts.
Hort Innovation CEO Brett Fifield emphasises the collaborative approach taken by impacted industries in swiftly supporting growers and focusing on long-term research into combatting Fall Armyworm.
““As soon as fall armyworm arrived on our shores, the impacted industries swiftly leveraged their strong, collaborative relationships to support growers in Northern Australia.
"This symposium highlights the power of industry coming together and partnering on key biosecurity challenges," Fifield adds.
AUSVEG CEO Michael Coote underscores the urgency of the situation, especially as fall armyworm continues to spread to new areas and affect a broader range of crops.
“Fall Armyworm has caused significant damage to sweetcorn crops this year, and as it spreads to new areas, growers around the country are quickly trying to learn and apply best-practice management techniques.
"As a cross-agriculture problem, it’s heartening to see a broad range of industries working together to address the fall armyworm challenge," says Coote.
The symposium, hosted by the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, aims to share learnings, identify research priorities, and develop sustainable solutions for managing Fall Armyworm. With contributions from various industry leaders, researchers, and government agencies, the event provides a valuable platform to address this pressing agricultural challenge and safeguard Australia's farming sector.

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Fall armyworm was initially identified in Australia in the Torres Strait in January 2020 and has since extended its presence across the country. Photo source: Hort Innovation

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The Burdekin Community Garden opened for the 2024 season last Monday morning April 15. This year marks its third year of operation after it was initially established through generous donations from the congregation of the Burdekin Community Church in 2022.
The garden exists to grow fresh produce to share free of charge with the local community through the Burdekin Community Association and local school Chaplains. During the first two years of its existence, the garden has produced a bountiful harvest of corn, carrots, snow peas, tomatoes, lettuce, zucchinis, silverbeet, potatoes, pumpkins, cucumbers, passionfruit, bananas, and pawpaw. Much to the delight of many Pacific Island workers in our district, the garden also produces cassava, taro and aibika (commonly referred to as slippery cabbage).
Growing fresh fruit and vegetables is just the tip of the iceberg when considering the purpose of the garden. Providing a safe place for people to meet, have a cuppa and a chat and just enjoy the outdoors in the company of others is another very important function of the garden.
Over the last two years the garden has hosted Year 6 student groups form the Burdekin Christian College and Ayr State School as well as the graduating class from the Burdekin School. In addition to school students the garden has been a wonderful meeting place for local people from all walks of life.
Everyone is welcome to come to the garden located at the rear of the Burdekin Community Church on International Drive. However, Monday morning from 9 am - 12 noon is the best time to visit. Every Monday morning, excluding Public holidays, garden co-ordinators Karina Lima, and Rhonda and Rodney Williams are present to show people around the garden. They are more than happy to make visitors a free cuppa to share over a chat and some morning tea. Weeding and other garden work is always optional at the community garden.
Should visitors desire a better-quality cuppa and a piece of home-made cake, this is available at Cafe Connect which is held nearby in the church office building at the same time. For a small fee your host, June Shaw, will treat you to a lovely morning tea and conversation in air-conditioned comfort. All the profits from Cafe Connect are donated locally to provide support from victims of domestic violence.
Everyone is welcome to come and share in the comradery of the Burdekin Community Garden and Cafe Connect.
Want more information. Find us on Facebook or contact us at burdekincommunitygarden@gmail.com.
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Contributed by Rodney Williams

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Burdekin Community Garden invites members of the public to the garden on Monday mornings. Photo supplied

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Expressions of interest are now open for projects to go through a new streamlined approvals pathway aimed at unlocking the state’s housing supply.
The Queensland Government is inviting industry to put forward housing projects to be considered as part of the new streamlined approvals process aimed at getting new homes built, faster.
Led by the government’s new State Facilitated Development team, this new process will prioritise fast-tracking developments that align with state priorities, including diverse and affordable housing.
Projects featuring affordable housing, especially for low to moderate income households, will receive top priority.
“We are making it quicker and easier to build more affordable, quality homes faster in the right locations, near services and transport,” said Minister for Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works, Meaghan Scanlon
“This new team wants to explore all proposals to deliver housing that meets the diverse needs of Queenslanders.”
Homes for Queenslanders aims to deliver one million more homes by 2046, including 53,500 social homes.
“Strong population growth is expected to continue in Queensland, which when combined with smaller household sizes, means demand for affordable and diverse housing will remain high, well into the future,” said Planning Institute of Australia’s Queensland and Northern Territory State Manager, Nicole Bennetts.
“Good planning is part of the solution to facilitate more well-located affordable and diverse housing, that meet the needs of the community.”
It all comes after the new State Facilitated Development team pathway was cemented this week through the Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 2023.
To learn more about the SFD assessment process or to submit an expression of interest, visit https://planning.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/sfd-eoi.
Find out more at www.housing.qld.gov.au/homesforqueenslanders.

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