SMALL to medium sized agricultural businesses have been thrown a lifeline when it comes to providing accommodation for their rural workforce.
The State Government’s Queensland Rural Workers’ Accommodation Initiative is aimed at supporting businesses repurposing existing under-utilised facilities as an interim solution for rural worker accommodation.
Minister for Planning Steven Miles said the government was aware of the current housing crisis and shortage of rental accommodation within South East Queensland.
He said the shortage and price of accommodation in rural and regional areas had become a critical issue following migration from cities to regional areas during the pandemic.
“Providing convenient and affordable housing options is not just about rural workers being close to work but also providing services and appropriate accommodation to keep and attract rural workers,” he said.
“As such, the requirements for the need for rural farm accommodation will vary depending on the agricultural commodity being grown and its seasonality.”
The initiative and associated amendments to the planning framework will also allow small scale rural workers’ accommodation to proceed without a material change of use development approval, when certain criteria are met.
It also provides an interim policy response to the shortage of appropriate accommodation for rural workers across Queensland, while longer term accommodation planning solutions are being worked through with local government for accommodation both on farm and within local towns.
“This initiative supports the economic recovery of Queensland’s important agricultural industry, an industry negatively impacted by Covid-19 induced supply chain disruptions, a shortage of migrant workers, recent severe and extensive drought and natural hazards,” the Minister said.
The initiative will remain in effect until December 9, 2025.
