Delivering Affordable Housing

By Fiona Gowers - June edition of Qld Farmer Today

A major community-driven housing project at Crows Nest is set to provide a lifeline for vulnerable residents, with the development of Chaseley Park aimed at ensuring locals can remain in the region they have long called home.

Led by the local charity Crows Nest Community Solutions Limited (CNCS Ltd), the Chaseley Park project will deliver affordable and community housing designed to support ageing resi-dents, people living with disability and others experiencing housing stress across the district.

The development carries deep historical roots in the region, named in honour of Chaseley Mac-Diarmid, a long-standing contributor to the early Crows Nest community and the Crows Nest and District Co-Operative Hospital Society Ltd.

Mrs MacDiarmid, who passed away in June 2025 at the age of 102, played an integral role in shaping local health and community services.

The land itself was originally granted by the Queensland Government to the Crows Nest hospital society to support additional care services for the district.

Over time, ownership transitioned through local government before CNCS Ltd secured the remaining balance of the Chaseley Park land from Toowoomba Regional Council to ensure the original vision for the precinct could be realised.

That vision remains central to the project today - to create housing that allows people with strong ties to Crows Nest to remain in their com-munity, rather than being forced to relocate due to a lack of suitable accommodation.

Currently, the existing Chaseley Park precinct includes seven dwellings, comprising a mix of freehold and community housing.

The next stage of development will significantly expand this offering. The earthworks delivering the infrastructure for Stage 1 is currently under construction.

Stage 1 construction of the dwellings for Chaseley Park has been divided into two stages.

Stage 1A will see the construction of six new dwellings, which will include a mix of detached homes and duplex-style accommodation.

Stage 1B, comprising a further eight dwellings, will proceed subject to securing additional funding.

Future stages will be rolled out in line with demand and available funding.

Importantly, the development has been designed with long-term liveability in mind.

Stage 1 housing has been designed to meet fully accessible Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) standards and platinum-level accessibility benchmarks, enabling residents to "age in place" without the need for costly modifications later in life.

This approach aligns with broader trends across the disability and aged care sectors, where maintaining independence and community connection is increasingly recognised as vital to well-being.

CNCS Ltd has identified a clear target group for the development, including older residents, people with disabilities, individuals on community housing waiting lists and those experiencing disadvantage or financial hardship.

Priority will also be given to people with a strong connection to the Crows Nest region.

By increasing the availability of affordable housing, the project aims to address a critical shortfall in the area, where limited rental options and rising costs have made it difficult for some residents to remain local.

Beyond housing, the Chaseley Park development is expected to deliver broader economic and social benefits to the region.

Construction of the project will create employment and training opportunities for local residents, while also supporting local trades and businesses.

Increased population within the precinct is anticipated to drive demand for goods and ser-vices, providing a further boost to the local economy.

Community engagement is also a key component of the project, with CNCS Ltd encouraging local organisations to become involved as stakeholders and support networks for future residents.

The adjacent Dingo Mountain site - a 45-hectare parcel of land CNCS Ltd acquired in 2018 - will play an important role in this vision.

With the creation of the charity Crows Nest Environmental Ltd in 2023, the Dingo Mountain site was transferred to this environmental company to ensure that the area is being suitably managed and preserved as a natural re-serve, offering opportunities for recreation, environmental education and community activities.

Neighbouring conservation areas, including Hartmann Park and sections of Crows Nest National Park, further enhance the natural appeal of the precinct.

Organisers hope the integration of housing, green space and community engagement will create a vibrant and supportive environment for residents.

With an ageing population and increasing demand for accessible housing across regional Queensland, developments like Chaseley Park are becoming increasingly important in sustaining rural communities.

For Crows Nest, the project represents more than just new housing; it is a commitment to preserving community ties, supporting vulnerable residents and ensuring that people who have built their lives in the region can continue to call it home.