Media release 31/08/11: Bligh’s roadshow should include NRAS pitch

Queensland Shelter urges Queensland Premier Anna Bligh to include affordable housing as an attractive investment in next week’s tour of the southern states.

In a bid to lure  investment, Bligh and Treasurer Andrew Fraser will next week travel New South Wales and Victoria, to show Queensland is "back in business''.

While the roadshow is positioned around new building boost grants, we believe advertising affordable housing programs is crucial to addressing the housing crisis in our State.

Executive Officer of Queensland Shelter, Adrian Pisarski, said the Premier should not miss this opportunity to sell the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS) as a safe bet in Queensland.  

“Regional Queensland in particular is suffering an extreme shortage of affordable housing, with West Queensland vacancy rates at 0.8%*”.

“In the mining communities, teachers and nurses are struggling to find a place they can afford to live- we need property investors targeting those areas with affordable housing programs,” Mr Pisarski said.

Queensland Shelter encourages all investors to consider NRAS, it is hassle-free, incentives-based (non assessable, non exempt) program with tax offsets. 

Furthermore, the Queensland Government has provided for NRAS incentives for the next four years.

“While selling our best attributes, the Premier can also sell a solution to our biggest problem- housing stress in Queensland,” Mr Pisarski said.

*The considered “healthy” average vacancy rate is 3%.

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For more information:

Adrian Pisarski, Executive Officer PH: 0417 975 270
Joanna Carson, Communications Officer PH: 0418 718 584