Council offers financial incentives to boost housing growth in Cook Shire

15 August 2023

COOKTOWN

Cook Shire Council has adopted a proactive new policy aimed at increasing housing developments and new home builds in the region.

The Residential Housing Development Incentive Policy provides up to $35,000 in incentives for multiple dwelling or dual occupancy developments, aiming to ease Cook Shire’s long-term housing shortage. Cook Shire mayor Peter Scott said the incentives were aimed at increasing development and the policy stance was a low-risk move by Council.

“The housing incentive policy is a real win for Cook Shire,” Cr Scott said.

“The council undertook extensive consultation with stakeholders including developers, builders and other regional councils to better understand the barriers to development and what is needed to facilitate growth.

“While many of the factors, such as material and transport costs, are outside of Council’s control, one of the key issues raised was our infrastructure charges and poor understanding of our development application process. We will also work to increase awareness of the development application process and the support available from Council when people are going through that process."

Single dwellings built on vacant land for an owner occupier could also receive up to $10,000 in rates relief under the policy. Cr Scott said although Council would be forgoing income in the short term, the long-term benefits to the community, economy and the increased rate base would benefit the whole region.

The policy came into effect on August 1 this year and remain in place until July 30, 2025 or when the maximum cumulative incentive value of $250,000 has been reached.

For more information contact Cook Shire Council via email to mail@cook.qld.gov.au or by phoning 4082 0500.