Construction has officially commenced on 108 new social homes in Glenvale, Toowoomba, with CHL (Community Housing Limited) marking the milestone with a sod turning ceremony to signal the start of its latest Queensland development.
The Glenvale social housing development will deliver 54 duplexes, comprising 54 one-bedroom and 54 two-bedroom homes, each featuring private courtyards and onsite parking.
Delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government and Housing Australia under the Housing Australia Future Fund (HAFF) Round 2 program, Glenvale is the first of CHL’s HAFF Round 2 projects to commence construction in Queensland. It forms part of CHL’s broader Queensland housing pipeline, which will deliver 592 social and affordable homes across five regions, including Glenvale, Rockville, Toowoomba and Townsville, representing more than $420 million in investment.
The development comes at a critical time for the Toowoomba region, with rental vacancy rates below one per cent and steady population growth placing further pressure on housing supply. Recent data also shows that fewer than one per cent of rental properties are affordable for people on income support, highlighting the need for accessible housing options for those on lower incomes.
CHL’s Queensland State Manager Carly Bairstow explains that the Glenvale development and the broader housing pipeline represents an important investment in the future of the Toowoomba community and regional Queensland, responding directly to growing demand for housing supply.
“We’re proud to invest in community housing in Toowoomba through a development that will provide safe, secure, affordable and quality homes for people who need them,” said Bairstow.
“Toowoomba is continuing to grow, but with rental vacancy rates sitting below one per cent and affordability at critical levels, we know many people across the region are finding it increasingly difficult to access appropriate housing.”
Bairstow highlights that the Glenvale development has been designed to meet urgent housing needs as well as create a strong sense of community and connection for future residents.
“We want this development to feel like a place to call home for the people who will live here, with homes designed to support comfort, connection and a sense of belonging,” said Bairstow.
“Importantly, the location also provides easy access to schools, sports facilities, shopping and employment opportunities, helping future residents – particularly families – stay connected to essential services and pathways that support long-term wellbeing.”
Through the HAFF’s $10 billion investment to improve housing outcomes for Australians, community housing providers like CHL are working in partnership with government, developers and other commercial and community partners to support the delivery of 20,000 new social homes and 20,000 new affordable homes nationally over five years till 2029.
CHL’s Acting CEO Alicia Follent said the program has been instrumental in helping new developments like Glenvale progress from planning through to construction more efficiently using a pipeline model that enables infrastructure, unlocks sites and makes regional projects viable.
“Through models like HAFF, it enables us to create a guaranteed long-term pipeline of housing here in Queensland and across the country. Housing is critical infrastructure for all Australians and as a community housing provider, we know the sooner funding reaches front doors, the sooner people can live in their much-needed homes,” said Follent. “Projects like Glenvale show what is possible when governments, community housing providers and other industry partners work together with a shared focus on delivering more social and affordable homes for people who need them most.”
The sod was officially turned at the Glenvale construction site on Tuesday 9 June, by The Hon Sam O’Connor MP, Minister for Housing and Public Works and Minister for Youth with representatives from CHL, Housing Australia and the Queensland Government in attendance.
CHL is proud to work alongside the Queensland Government, Housing Australia and our industry partners – Planum Partners, Hall and Wilcox, Robin Hodge and Hutchison Builders- to deliver more safe, secure, affordable and quality homes for regional Queensland.
