Minister for Housing launches construction for biggest stage of Sunnybank residential development

Work has officially started on the largest stage of a housing development in Brisbane’s south.

Minister for Housing and Public Works Mick de Brenni helped with the first concrete pour for the foundations of 52 homes that are part of the Cornerstone Living development in Sunnybank.

Mr de Brenni said this development, which will create a total 1200 dwellings for roughly 3000 people, should be a model for future developments in Queensland.

“What’s being developed here could be described as a benchmark for where we take community development in the future.”

Stage D of the development will also mark the building of the 200th dwelling for the project. Four stages have been completed already, and even though the foundations for Stage D aren’t completed the homes have all sold already.

Executive chairman of Consolidated Properties Don O’Rorke said a key criterion from the government was to make a portion of the homes affordable. Because of the affordability of the homes, Mr O’Rorke said he’s “really pleased” they’ve been able to attract a high number of first home buyers.

“Sixty per cent of our buyers have been owner occupiers. Of that 60 per cent, 32 per cent are first home buyers,” he said. “It’s hit all the markers the government wanted.”

Mr de Brenni said that number of first home buyers was “a great statistic”.

When asked about how the existing infrastructure around Sunnybank will cope, the minister said, “the community is ready”.

“This site was chosen because of its infrastructure capabilities, it’s close to a hospital, [Griffith] university, and train line,” he said.

“[Choosing this site] was one of the smarter things the Bligh government did.”

The $600 million, 10-year project will also create a projected 4600 on-site jobs throughout the 10-year period, including 240 apprentices.

Fourth-year apprentice carpenter Callum Butwell, 22, has been working on another part of the Cornerstone Living development and will begin on the new section next week.

Thrown in the deep end to work as the foreman, Mr Butwell said it’s a great project to be working on.

“I work closely with the site manager, so it’s a really good opportunity,” he said.

While the project is Queensland’s largest suburban renewal project, Mr Butwell said the stages are the right size to challenge people like himself.

“There’s always a problem to solve and I like that.”

The 10-hectare development site was formerly public housing, however only 15 per cent of the newer public housing stock will remain.

Mr de Brenni said this reduction in public housing will lead to better education and employment outcomes for locals.