Across regional Queensland, communities are grappling with a deepening housing challenge. Rising property prices and limited availability are no longer confined to South East Queensland. In regional towns and centres, the cost of living has surged, and housing affordability has become a major barrier to economic participation and community wellbeing.
In many regional areas, fewer than 1% of rental properties are affordable for someone on minimum wage1. This shortage is driving housing stress and forcing families into insecure living conditions.
In response to this growing crisis, the Queensland government has introduced initiatives aimed at alleviating housing stress. These include a $160 million Renters Relief Package and a long-term commitment to deliver 900,000 new homes by 2046. While these measures are significant, they are not a one-size-fits-all solution.
Regional communities face unique challenges – geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, smaller workforces, and vulnerability to natural disasters. These factors demand tailored, place-based responses that reflect the specific needs and capabilities of each region.
To meet the scale and complexity of the housing crisis, more innovative and collaborative solutions are essential. Local Buy’s whole-of-project approach offers a powerful lever for change – empowering councils to deliver housing solutions that are sufficient, sustainable, and locally driven.
Local Buy enables councils to adopt a whole-of-project approach – addressing every stage of a housing project from early planning and procurement to construction and long-term management. This integrated model ensures that each phase is aligned, reducing inefficiencies and maximising value for money. By streamlining processes and bringing together stakeholders - local governments, suppliers, community organisations, and state agencies - this approach fosters collaboration and ensures that housing projects are not only delivered on time and within budget but also tailored to the specific needs of regional communities.
In regions where resources are limited and capacity is stretched, this model is particularly effective. It allows councils to focus on outcomes rather than administration, and to deliver high-quality housing that supports both community and economic development.
Local Buy’s whole-of-project approach is designed with regional realities in mind. Here’s how it delivers tangible benefits:
- Streamlined Procurement: Many regional councils operate with smaller teams and tighter budgets. Pre-qualified supplier Arrangements reduce administrative burdens on these councils, allowing councils to focus more on project delivery and community engagement.
- Integrated Planning: By considering all aspects of a project from inception to completion, a whole-of-project approach minimises redundancies and optimises resource allocation. This integration can lead to cost savings and ensures that all components of the project are aligned.
- Cost Efficiency: Local Buy enables regional councils to access competitive pricing through bulk procurement and pre-qualified suppliers, helping them reduce costs and streamline procurement.
- Disaster Recovery Support: Local Buy’s procurement solutions can be quickly activated to support recovery efforts - whether that means rebuilding damaged housing, restoring infrastructure, or deploying emergency services. This ensures a fast and coordinated response when communities need it most.
- Local Economic Development: By encouraging the use of local and regional suppliers, Local Buy helps stimulate local economies. This is especially important in regional Queensland, where economic development is closely tied to infrastructure and housing investment. Engaging local businesses not only supports job creation but also builds long-term capacity within the region.
Solving the housing challenge in regional Queensland requires more than policy – it requires partnership. While government initiatives provide a strong foundation, local insight and collaboration with regional suppliers is essential to achieving lasting impact.
By leveraging Local Buy's Arrangements, councils can accelerate housing delivery, support local economies, and provide more affordable housing options for Queenslanders.
For more information or support on your housing projects, visit www.localbuy.net.au or contact us at enquiry@localbuy.net.au.
1 https://www.anglicare.asn.au/publications/2025-rental-affordability-snapshot/
Leveraging Local Buy’s Supplier Network
By using Local Buy’s pre-qualified suppliers and services, councils can streamline procurement processes, ensure quality, and achieve cost efficiencies across the full housing delivery lifecycle, including:
- Planning & Design: LB335 and LB312 provides early-stage planning, design, engineering and environmental consultancy.
- Project Management: LB279 and LB309 provides project management and business management and consultancy.
- Construction & Materials: LB298, LB293, LB341, and LB331 ensure access to quality building materials and construction services.
- Infrastructure & Utilities: LB313 and LB314 ensure essential services like civil and water infrastructure are integrated from the outset.
- Community & Environmental Services: LB304, LB305 and LB344 enhance liveability and sustainability of the community with well-designed landscaping and open spaces as well as waste collection.
This comprehensive supplier network allows councils to move quickly, maintain quality, and deliver housing that meets both immediate and long-term community needs.