Calls to repair more than 100 properties abandoned amid housing crisis in major mining city

At least 117 properties across the mining town of Mount Isa in north-west Queensland have been abandoned and owe at least three years in overdue rates, according to data from the local council.

Residents, real estate agents and welfare groups are calling for repairs on the homes to be fast-tracked to help ease the community’s housing crisis, elevate the prices of neighbouring properties and encourage further development across the town.

“When you look at the housing shortage we have in Mount Isa and right across Australia, and then you look at these volumes of abandoned or unoccupied houses – it’s a huge issue,” said real estate agent John Tully, who runs City & Country Realty.

Home to about 20,000 residents, Mount Isa is one of the richest mining regions in the world.

The town faces an uncertain future with the planned closure of Glencore’s copper operations in 2025.

The closure has put a halt to new housing developments like the Gliderport project — a proposed 99-home suburb.

The Mount Isa City Council says that suburb is now being reassessed in light of Glencore’s announcement.

Why are houses being abandoned?

Mr Tully said the number of empty properties was an issue rearing its head as the housing crisis worsened.

“People bought these houses for cheap years ago and then left town but are still in a financial position to hold onto the house,” he said

The increased cost of living coupled with an absence of construction services in outback regions meant fixing up a house could become too expensive, Mr Tully said.

Abandoned houses a ‘disease’

The presence of neglected houses was affecting the town’s property market, Mr Tully said.

“Having an abandoned house in your area means a buyer will use that as leverage to get the price down on a neighbouring property,” he said.

“It’s like a disease…it’s a big issue for our clients who are putting houses up for sale.”

Repaired homes could support social housing

There is a need for at least 550 houses and townhouses in Mount Isa, according to the Mount Isa City Council’s 2023 Local Housing Action Plan.

Nearly half of those were needed for the community’s social housing system.

The majority of applicants were families and some had been on the waitlist for over three years.

Executive director for Centacare North Queensland, Paula Washington, said any steps to increase accommodation in Mount Isa would alleviate pressure an overwhelmed system.

“Our crisis accommodation program is operating at full capacity,” Ms Washington said.

“Families are in need rather than just individuals so houses with three bedrooms or more are in high demand,” she said.

‘Starting point’ needed

If a property owner fails to pay council rates for three years, council has the power to re-sell the property.

Mr Tully wants the local council to play a more active role in repairing the neglected houses.

“If we can start with one or two of these abandoned houses, that will make it easier to work with the rest, you’ve got to have a starting point,” he said.

Council’s housing action plan flagged that a lack of construction services in the region was a major barrier to building developments.

Mr Tully said that, until the government provided strong incentives for builders and apprentices to set up shop in rural towns like Mount Isa, there would be no meaningful improvement.

SOURCE: ABCNEWS