Housing crisis’ critical impact on businesses represented at Queensland Housing Summit this week

Wednesday 19 October, 2022 | By: Emma Clarke

The housing crisis’ critical impact on Queensland businesses and workforces will be represented at the State Government’s Housing Summit this week. 

Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland (CCIQ) CEO Heidi Cooper will join other industry and community leaders at the Housing Summit on Thursday, designed to address the urgent housing crisis in Queensland and influence National Cabinet decision making.  

Ms Cooper said housing and accommodation unaffordability and inaccessibility was impacting businesses and workforces right across the state and in multiple industries.  

“It’s difficult to attract and retain a workforce if there is nowhere for those workers, or their families, to live,” Ms Cooper said.  

“Inability to access affordable housing is compounding pressure on the state’s skilled labour market.  

 

Housing crisis critical impact on businesses

 

“Business told us both housing accommodation and affordability in their local area were impacting their ability to recruit and retain staff. 

“It means businesses have another hurdle in the ongoing skilled labour market, with little incentive for workforces to re-locate, especially in regional Queensland, if they don’t have a home to relocate to.” 

Ms Cooper said CCIQ had heard from stakeholders in regional Queensland there was a need to free up more land to build sustainable housing while in other areas CCIQ understood there were challenges in existing home affordability. 

“The Housing Summit this week is critical to ensure Queensland communities, businesses, workforces and economies are able thrive,” Ms Cooper said. 

“It’s essential government and industry work together now to solve the housing crisis and associated impacts.  

“Similarly, it is critical Queensland businesses have a voice at the Summit. CCIQ is that voice for all Queensland businesses.   

“I welcome the opportunity for CCIQ to represent Queensland businesses and their workforces at the Housing Summit and an opportunity to contribute to meaningful solutions for National Cabinet consideration of the housing and cost of living challenges for business, workforces and communities.” 

 

CCIQ media contact

Emma Clarke

Media and Communications Manager 

[email protected]

 

 

Acknowledgement of Country

Business Chamber Queensland respectfully acknowledges the Traditional Owners and custodians of the lands from across Queensland and the Torres Strait. We acknowledge the Jagera and Turrbal people as the Traditional Custodians of Meanjin (Brisbane), the lands where our office is located and the place we meet, work and learn. We pay our respects to Elders past and present.