Acacia Ridge
The new Project Acacia Ridge, Queensland Project will provide temporary accommodation for women over 55 years old in need
Housing All Australians has launched its first Queensland project in Acacia Ridge. In collaboration with Queensland Rail and Churches of Christ, this initiative will transform two underutilised Queensland Rail properties into 14 fully refurbished bedroom studios to support women over the age of 55 experiencing homelessness.
Championed by HAA’s Queensland State Committee, the Acacia Ridge project would not have been possible without our corporate partners Lead Consultants, Dieke Richards, Urbis, Professional Certification Group, Auscoast Fire Services, and Forward Access providing their services and expertise pro bono to get this project started.
Housing All Australians Queensland State Management Chair Mike Myers expressed how after undertaking similar projects in Melbourne, Perth and Hobart, this is our first project in Queensland, and we are proud to work with our first government partner, Queensland Rail and Churches of Christ to show what is possible through true collaboration.
The project was officially launched on Monday, 17 March 2025, by Minister Brent Mickelberg MP, Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mike Myers, Queensland State Committee Chair of HAA, Kat Stapleton, CEO of Queensland Rail, and Gus Taddeo, General Manager of Churches of Christ.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg, expressed his support for the initiative, highlighting the urgent need for housing solutions in Queensland. “It has never been more difficult to find or keep a roof over your head as it is right now in Queensland.
Our plan is to deliver housing solutions quickly, and I commend these three organisations for coming together to unlock existing dwellings to give people a home. This project is more than just accommodation – a safe place to call home can change lives, particularly for vulnerable women who may be escaping domestic violence.”
The Acacia Ridge project is the first of many planned collaborations with Queensland Rail, with 10 additional locations across Queensland identified as potential sites for repurposing buildings into accommodation for people experiencing homelessness.
Queensland Rail CEO Kat Stapleton emphasized the importance of providing safe housing. “Everyone deserves a safe place to live but sadly a lack of affordable housing and homelessness is a real issue affecting many Queenslanders currently. We’re proud to work with Housing All Australians and Churches of Christ Housing Services to give unused buildings a new purpose that will provide relief to people struggling to find a safe place to live.”
The refurbishment, led by Housing All Australians, will ensure the properties are fit for purpose, with Churches of Christ Housing Services managing the properties and supporting the tenants once the renovations are completed later this year.
Gus Taddeo, General Manager of Churches of Christ Housing Services, hopes this partnership inspires other organisations to consider how they can directly alleviate the pressures of Queensland’s growing housing and cost-of-living crisis on vulnerable people. “It really is heartening that Queensland Rail have identified existing, unused assets to help address the housing needs of the fastest growing group affected by homelessness; women over 50. Homelessness is a complex issue that requires multifaceted solutions, but with a shared commitment across sectors, we can make a meaningful difference.”
It is through the commitment of landowners to the Housing All Australians initiative and the Australian businesses that donate their time, materials, and expertise to ensure a quality and compliant building is handed over to the community housing provider. Since the start of this project, more organisations have come on board, offering practical donations of sheeting, steel framing, and tapware.
The housing crisis is a whole-of-community concern, and through business and government collaboration and partnership, creative solutions like the Acacia Ridge site can provide more housing options to those in greatest need.
Our Project Partners
