Newsroom

February 16, 2022

They’ve been around since at the 1950s, revolutionized global trade, transformed logistical operations world-wide and are now finding themselves stacked like toy blocks in “green” developmental projects across the country. Virtually unseen half a century ago, they are now ubiquitous in junk yards, rail sidings and second-hand scrap dealers all over the country, rusting hulks of metal re-purposed as backyard storage, garden sheds and digs at mining camps – and now housing. 

We’re talking about the humble shipping container, or “seacan,” of which there are an estimated 20 to 30 million circulating through the national supply chain at any one time.  Built to stand up to a belting from the elements of a Pacific Ocean crossing, shipping containers are cheap, easily transported and versatile. 

“They’re practically indestructible,” Clynton Hawks said. 

It’s their durability that Mr Hawks thinks makes them ideal to solve the long-term social housing crisis gripping the nation.  Hawks, who is Katter’s Australian Party’s candidate for the Townsville seat of Herbert, will take his call for more substantial investments into the construction of new social housing into the federal election, including utilizing re-purposed shipping containers as a relatively cheap and viable solution to solving homelessness, and out-of-control new housing construction costs. 

James Patch of Jim’s Containers in Townsville says his firm has been converting containers into habitable units for use in mining and construction for years, and says he has an abundance of 20- and 40-foot containers ready to go. 

Mr Patch says the cost of converting containers to an accommodation block can vary depending on what is required, but a two-bedroom unit with bathroom and kitchen “could be sorted for under 50 grand.” 

The units are insulated with 50-millimetre EPS coolroom panel, similar to a fridge truck, and have no trouble with the north Queensland climate, Mr Patch said. 

Mr Hawks draws inspiration from the initiative undertaken by the Tasmanian government in partnering with a national shipping container firm to solve Hobart’s homelessness crisis, where they made a $253 million investment in shipping container-based accommodation units in 2018.^[1][1]  

“We have to think inside box, so to speak, and we can start right here in Townsville,” Mr Hawks said. 

Vacancy rates in the private rental market are at the lowest point in recent memory, with the housing shortage in Townsville and across the region reaching crisis point as families cram into motels rooms across the city, and some even resorting to camping out in tents because of the shortage of suitable accommodation.^[2][2] 

It’s a point not lost on 40-year old Townsville woman Rebecca Van Mierlo, who knows all too well the frustrations of trying to obtain housing assistance in the community, having endured years of unstable housing arrangements because of the scarcity of social housing units.  Ms Mierlo says her long experience of the system puts paid to the claim that the social housing crisis is new, or brought on by the pandemic. 

“They can't blame covid for decades-old problems forever,” says Ms Van Mierlo. 

“Twenty years ago, I enquired about help from Queensland housing Commission when I was stuck with nothing and nowhere to go. I was told I'd have better luck if I go and have a kid or two, because the waiting list for single bedroom places is over 10 years. 

“Fast forward to December 2020, again, I approached Queensland housing because I have nothing and nowhere to go, and there's no rentals in the pensioner range. 

“Again, I was told [there was a] 10-plus years waiting list.” 

Mr Hawks said that even using the Queensland State Government’s own figures show that by 2027 380,000 new homes will be needed to cater to a growing population.^[3][3] 

But the Queensland government plans to build only 10,000 new social units, according to the National Housing and Homelessness Agreement with the Commonwealth. 

“The housing deficit is massive, and only set to get worse as the borders open and we have an influx of migrants and students looking for affordable housing,” Mr Hawks said. 

Mr Hawks said shipping container conversions could be utilized to address the short-term housing and emergency housing needs, as well as serve as a long-term social housing solution, but government action is required. 

“Housing is the cornerstone of a family’s well-being, and what we are experiencing now—for decades—is a pandemic of housing insecurity because of inadequate or unaffordable housing for low-income families.”  

Mr Hawks says calls for billions of dollars of investment into social housing developments are naïve at a time when building supplies, especially framing timber, are in critically short supply. 

“A government-driven program of building social units would send the cost of a new build in the private market through the roof.” 

Instead, Mr Hawks says a national housing strategy tackling the crisis in social housing availability, rental affordability and accessibility requires governments to aim for spurring innovative housing solutions through procurement policies, and funding program-design which mandate the use of re-purposed materials, such as shipping containers.   

“At 50 thousand dollars a door, shipping container conversions are an inexpensive alternative to a bricks and mortar structure and can be done quickly and efficiently in workshops like Jim’s Containers. 

“But we need action now, because it’s heartbreaking seeing what’s happening in our community, with two-income families with kids living in vehicles parked on the side of the road. 

“We are reaping the rewards of years of underinvestment in social housing, but if governments are not going to commit to more funding then at least they can commit to getting more bang for the buck by looking at innovative solutions like container conversions. 

“We currently have families sleeping in tents at caravan parks and in the backs of cars.  That isn't the Australia I know. 

“We need to provide our vulnerable Aussies strong and stable housing, something they can be proud of, where they can go and relax, and not have to worry about where they are sleeping tonight.”

^[4][1] Tiny homes made from shipping containers could ease Tasmania's housing woes - ABC News 

^[5][2] Townsville vacancies at 10-year low as rental prices soar, housing supply scarce - ABC News 

^[1][3] Queensland - National Housing and Homelessless Agreement (federalfinancialrelations.gov.au)