A new era for community housing in Cassowary Coast region
Published on 24 April 2026
The Cassowary Coast Regional Council has accepted an expert evaluation panel’s unanimous recommendation to appoint highly respected North Queensland registered community housing provider Regional Housing Ltd to own and manage 10 funded freehold properties as part of Council’s divestment of its community housing portfolio.
This divestment aligns with the Council’s Corporate Plan and Local Housing Action Plan 2024-2029 to ensure housing services are provided by experienced and specialised providers that can apply their expertise to sustainably grow the community housing network and ensure more people have a place to call home.
The Council’s community housing divestment strategy was underpinned by a three-stage expression of interest (EOI) process, with a call for submissions made on 31 October 2025.
There was strong interest, with 13 applicants making submissions and all passing the first stage of the process, which focused on mandatory qualifications checks.
Council held an information session for prospective stage two applicants. Stage two involved an assessment of the nine applicants that made detailed submissions, with respondents required to demonstrate their ability to deliver and grow tenant and housing services, manage current and future housing assets, engage with the community, maintain probity, demonstrate financial viability, and support local employment and services.
The third and current stage comprises Council resolution, approval from Queensland’s Department of Housing and Public Works’, and execution of transfer and funding agreement contracts.
Cassowary Coast Mayor Teresa Millwood said Regional Housing Ltd’s submission showed they were a highly capable organisation with a strong regional focus and had the systems and experience needed to achieve effective, sustained and scalable outcomes.
“Regional Housing Ltd is an impressive applicant with a strong track record of housing development in a significant number of regional areas across Queensland, to a high standard,” Mayor Millwood said.
“Their submission highlighted a strong commitment to the Cassowary Coast region, with an existing development application in the pipeline, employment of a dedicated housing officer from day one of the transfer of the portfolio, and the opening a local office that will employ additional staff as the regional portfolio grows.”
Mayor Millwood said it was a Council priority to ensure there was stability for tenants during and after the transfer process.
“We will work very closely with the incumbent and new provider to ensure there are minimal disruptions for tenants, that tenants’ rights are protected in accordance with existing policies and legislation, and that prospective new tenants benefit from new community housing coming online in the future,” Mayor Millwood said.
“Supporting the growth of community housing in our region and ensuring more people have a place to call home is part of our vision for ensuring the Cassowary Coast is the most liveable tropical community.”
All applicants, including the incumbent and recommended provider, have been advised of the evaluation panel’s recommendation, the Council’s resolution, and that final approval now rests with the Queensland Government.
Council is continuing to progress the divestment of the balance of its community housing portfolio.
For more information visit yoursay.cassowarycoast.qld.gov.au/cassowary-coast-housing-divestment