What’s happening?
Works are progressing in Townsville to support new housing in the city’s northern suburbs.
The project will improve access between Woolcock Street and Weston Street. It is backed by a $14.7 million investment through the Residential Activation Fund.
The upgrade includes new traffic lights, street lighting and pedestrian crossings on all four approaches. It also includes culverts, stormwater drainage, signage and pedestrian barrier fencing.
The works are designed to improve safety, access and traffic flow, while helping open land for future housing.
The project is part of the Crisafulli Government’s $2 billion Residential Activation Fund, with Round 2 applications now open and due to close at 5pm AEST on Friday, 24 April 2026. At least half of the fund is set aside for regional, rural and remote areas outside South East Queensland.
Why it matters?
This project is aimed at removing one of the main barriers to new housing, essential infrastructure.
Without roads, drainage and access upgrades, new homes cannot move ahead as quickly.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said, “The Crisafulli Government is pulling every lever we can to address Labor’s Housing Crisis because Queensland needs more homes and projects like this to ensure communities have the roads and services required to support new housing.”
He said, “By removing infrastructure barriers for councils and developers, we can help unlock residential land, support industry to deliver new homes sooner and ease pressure on housing availability.”
Mr Bleijie added, “Through our landmark $2 billion Residential Activation Fund, we are getting shovels in the ground within a matter of months and delivering more land to build new homes.”
He also said, “The new housing supply unlocked through Residential Activation Fund addresses housing challenges head-on, and we are partnering alongside industry and councils to deliver for all Queenslanders.”
Local Impact
For Townsville, the project is expected to support growth in the northern suburbs and improve the road network around future housing areas.
Member for Townsville Adam Baillie said, “The Crisafulli Government is investing in the regions and unlocking land, resulting in more homes being built sooner.”
He said, “This investment will provide more North Queenslanders the opportunity to call Townsville home.”
Member for Mundingburra and Assistant Minister for North Queensland Janelle Poole said the investment was also about improving everyday infrastructure.
“This isn’t just about housing supply. We’re also delivering the roads, drainage and safety upgrades that make these new developments possible,” Ms Poole said.
“It’s about supporting Queensland’s regional and rural communities and delivering the housing that they need.”
Member for Thuringowa Natalie Marr said, “The Residential Activation Fund will provide improved and safer access to unlock more homes in the region and deliver a place for Queenslanders to call home.”
By the numbers
- The Townsville project is backed by $14.7 million, which will fund the road and access upgrades needed to support future housing in the city’s north.
- Across North Queensland, $105 million has been approved for priority projects designed to accelerate housing supply.
- The works are expected to help unlock 1,600 homes, with the upgrade supporting residential development linked to Cosgrove Estate.
- Statewide, the Residential Activation Fund is worth $2 billion, and at least 50 per cent is reserved for regional, rural and remote Queensland.
Zoom In
The Townsville works centre on the link between Woolcock Street and Weston Street, a key access point for new development.
Mr Bleijie said, “This sod turn in Townsville is literally paving the way for new communities to grow, unlocking around 1,600 residential lots and supporting the continued growth of the region.”
He said the project sits alongside other supply measures in the city.
“This is in addition to our landmark Land Activation Program in Pimlico, increasing supply of a range of housing types into the market, which will help put downward pressure on property prices,” Mr Bleijie said.
Parkside Development Managing Director Michael Tapiolas said the upgrade showed why public and private sector support matters.
“Partnerships like this are what make large-scale housing delivery possible,” Mr Tapiolas said.
“This intersection upgrade is enabling infrastructure for Cosgrove Estate, supporting the long-term growth of Townsville and allowing us to bring new residential lots and homes to market sooner for local families.”
Zoom Out
The Townsville project forms part of a wider state housing push through the Residential Activation Fund.
The fund supports trunk and essential infrastructure so housing projects can move faster. It includes roads, stormwater, sewage, power and telecommunications.
Mr Bleijie said government, councils and industry needed to work together to lift supply.
“When government works in partnership with councils and industry, instead of riding roughshod over them like Labor did, we can deliver more homes, quicker, for Queensland families,” he said.
The Townsville upgrade reflects that broader approach, with infrastructure being treated as the first step before homes can be built.
What To Look For Next?
This project now sets up the next stage of growth, with new housing expected to follow as supporting infrastructure takes shape.
