Our History
Our History
Mackay was experiencing a long-term tight housing market, and high rents.
Mackay was experiencing a long-term tight housing market, and high rents.
Low to middle income workers were pushed out of their housing.
Low to middle income workers were pushed out of their housing.
People were forced to live in back yard sheds, shipping containers, tents, overcrowded and other unsuitable housing conditions.
People were forced to live in back yard sheds, shipping containers, tents, overcrowded and other unsuitable housing conditions.
Employers struggled to find and maintain key workers.
Employers struggled to find and maintain key workers.
Wages increased to retain workers in the region and these increases were passed onto the consumer.
Wages increased to retain workers in the region and these increases were passed onto the consumer.
Mackay Regional Council established an Affordable Housing Task Force.
Mackay Regional Council established an Affordable Housing Task Force.
Discussions about an affordable housing company in Mackay took shape.
Discussions about an affordable housing company in Mackay took shape.
Mackay Regional Council resolved to sponsor the establishment of the Mackay Regional Housing Company.
Mackay Regional Council resolved to sponsor the establishment of the Mackay Regional Housing Company.
Cr George Christensen called on developers, building companies, the social housing sector and anyone with vision, to be part or an organisation which work to make housing more affordable to rent and buy.
Cr George Christensen called on developers, building companies, the social housing sector and anyone with vision, to be part or an organisation which work to make housing more affordable to rent and buy.
Executive Officer, David McKendry and Community Development Worker - Jan Hansen worked with community to recruit the inaugural shareholders and company directors.
Executive Officer, David McKendry and Community Development Worker - Jan Hansen worked with community to recruit the inaugural shareholders and company directors.
27 May 2009
27 May 2009
The Mackay Regional Housing Company Shareholder's Foundation Meeting
The Mackay Regional Housing Company Shareholder's Foundation Meeting
The Shareholders Agreement was signed and authorised
The Shareholders Agreement was signed and authorised
Voting for Directors was undertaken
Voting for Directors was undertaken
The A Class Shareholders voted for
The A Class Shareholders voted for
- George Christensen
- George Christensen
- Sandra Winner
- Sandra Winner
- Stephen Wallace
- Stephen Wallace
- Kelly Parker
- Kelly Parker
- Josephine Comerford
- Josephine Comerford
The B Class Shareholders voted for
The B Class Shareholders voted for
- Gavin Rogers
- Gavin Rogers
- Andrew Paul
- Andrew Paul
The C Class Shareholders voted for
The C Class Shareholders voted for
- Julie Boyd
- Julie Boyd
14 August 2009
14 August 2009
Mackay Regional Housing Company was incorporated
Mackay Regional Housing Company was incorporated
27 August 2009
27 August 2009
The Initial Meeting of the Mackay Regional Housing Company Board
The Initial Meeting of the Mackay Regional Housing Company Board
Julie Boyd was appointed Chairperson
Julie Boyd was appointed Chairperson
The directors formally adopted the constitution
The directors formally adopted the constitution
The initial Company Directors were formally appointed
The initial Company Directors were formally appointed
Julie Boyd
George Christensen
Sandra Winner
Stephen Wallace
Andrew Paul
Kelly Parker
Josephine Comerford
Gavin Rogers
David McKendry was appointed the initial Company Secretary and Public Officer.
David McKendry was appointed the initial Company Secretary and Public Officer.
The Board Resolved to issue Sixteen Shares
The Board Resolved to issue Sixteen Shares
Mackay Regional Council for Social Development Ltd
Community Accommodation Support Inc
Community Housing & Information Centre Inc
Lowanna Housing Incorporated
Urban Development Institute of Australia (Queensland)
St Vincent De Paul Society Queensland
Self Help Accommodation Link of Mackay Ltd
Skills Training Mackay Association Inc.
Mackay & District Australian South See Islander Association Inc.
Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre
Hugh Reilly Real Estate
Baguley Developments Pty Ltd
XCEL Property Group Pty Ltd
Pointglen Pty Ltd
Hennie Ferreira Architect Pty Ltd
Mackay Regional Council
November 2009 - Jo Denvir is appointed as CEO
November 2009 - Jo Denvir is appointed as CEO
9 December 2009 Mackay Regional Housing Company Officially Launched
9 December 2009 Mackay Regional Housing Company Officially Launched
April 2010 - Jo Denvir resigned as CEO
April 2010 - Jo Denvir resigned as CEO
July 2010
July 2010
The Mackay Regional Company becomes accredited as a Housing Provider with the Department of Housing & Public Workers.
The Mackay Regional Company becomes accredited as a Housing Provider with the Department of Housing & Public Workers.
16 August 2010 - Jennifer Emmett commenced as CEO.
16 August 2010 - Jennifer Emmett commenced as CEO.
Mackay Regional Council provided an office space in the Council Administration Building.
Mackay Regional Council provided an office space in the Council Administration Building.
Jennifer's initial role was to prepare the company to commence operations.
Jennifer's initial role was to prepare the company to commence operations.
October 2010 - We moved into our first office at 89 Sydney Street Mackay
October 2010 - We moved into our first office at 89 Sydney Street Mackay
November 2010
November 2010
George Christensen retired as Company Director
George Christensen retired as Company Director
Cr Karen May appointed as Company Director
Cr Karen May appointed as Company Director
Our first team members commenced, and we set up our operating systems.
Our first team members commenced, and we set up our operating systems.
CEO Jennifer Emmett - Tenancy Manager Rochelle Gilbert - Administration Assistant Yvonne Harris.
Operations Commenced
Operations Commenced
We worked with Mackay Regional Council staff and tenants to transfer the management of 86 Social Housing Properties to Mackay Regional Housing Company.
We worked with Mackay Regional Council staff and tenants to transfer the management of 86 Social Housing Properties to Mackay Regional Housing Company.
We entered into agreements with the Department of Housing & Public Works and commenced management of 46 Long Term Social Housing Properties.
We entered into agreements with the Department of Housing & Public Works and commenced management of 46 Long Term Social Housing Properties.
The demand for housing continued to increase.
The demand for housing continued to increase.
Mackay Regional Housing Company entered into agreements to deliver and manage over 200 National Rental Affordability Scheme properties in the Mackay Region.
Mackay Regional Housing Company entered into agreements to deliver and manage over 200 National Rental Affordability Scheme properties in the Mackay Region.
The National Rental Affordability Scheme portfolio started to grow.
The National Rental Affordability Scheme portfolio started to grow.
Sandra Winner retired as a Company Director
Sandra Winner retired as a Company Director
Cr Di Hatfield was appointed as a Company Director
Cr Di Hatfield was appointed as a Company Director
June 2012
June 2012
The Urban Land Development Authority & Mackay Regional Council donated the land at 17 Paperbark Way Andergrove.
The Urban Land Development Authority & Mackay Regional Council donated the land at 17 Paperbark Way Andergrove.
Our team started to grow, and we engaged in our networks.
Our team started to grow, and we engaged in our networks.
We planned our future.
We planned our future.
Chair Julie Boyd retired as a Company Director
Chair Julie Boyd retired as a Company Director
Cr Dave Perkins was appointed as a Company Director
Cr Dave Perkins was appointed as a Company Director
Cr Karen May was appointed as the Chairperson
Cr Karen May was appointed as the Chairperson
We built our North Queensland
We built our North Queensland
Community Housing Network
Community Housing Network
Our subsidiary Affordable Housing Company, Connect Housing Limited, was registered on 15 January 2013.
Our subsidiary Affordable Housing Company, Connect Housing Limited, was registered on 15 January 2013.
Andrew Paul Retired as a Company Director
Andrew Paul Retired as a Company Director
Paul Thompson appointed as a Company Director
Paul Thompson appointed as a Company Director
July 2013
July 2013
Construction of four units commenced at 17 Paperpark Way Andergrove
Construction of four units commenced at 17 Paperpark Way Andergrove
In September 2013
In September 2013
We moved to 67 Sydney Street
We moved to 67 Sydney Street
We rolled out our new brand
We rolled out our new brand
We consulted with our tenants
We consulted with our tenants
Our affordable housing portfolio continued to grow
Our affordable housing portfolio continued to grow
Di Hatfield retired as a Company Director
Di Hatfield retired as a Company Director
Andrew Paul was reappointed as a Company Director
Andrew Paul was reappointed as a Company Director
Our affordable housing portfolio grew and so did our team.
Our affordable housing portfolio grew and so did our team.
We maintained our focus on delivering more affordable housing in Mackay
We maintained our focus on delivering more affordable housing in Mackay
Our affordable housing portfolio continued to grow.
Our affordable housing portfolio continued to grow.
We established a property maintenance business.
We established a property maintenance business.
Cr Dave Perkins and Andrew Paul retired as Company Directors.
Cr Dave Perkins and Andrew Paul retired as Company Directors.
We welcomed Cr Amanda Camm,
We welcomed Cr Amanda Camm,
Cr Frann Mann and Maree Franettovich as Directors.
Cr Frann Mann and Maree Franettovich as Directors.
Cr Amanda Camm
Cr Amanda Camm
Cr Frann Mann
Cr Frann Mann
Maree Franettovich
Maree Franettovich
We continued to consult with our tenants
We continued to consult with our tenants
We facilitated the Whitsunday, Isaac, Mackay Housing & Homelessness forum
We facilitated the Whitsunday, Isaac, Mackay Housing & Homelessness forum
Cr Amanda Camm retired as company Director
Cr Amanda Camm retired as company Director
We moved to our new office in the Dome and continued supporting local housing networks.
We moved to our new office in the Dome and continued supporting local housing networks.
It again became exceedingly difficult for low income households to secure a rental property in Mackay.
It again became exceedingly difficult for low income households to secure a rental property in Mackay.
We consolidated our services so we could focus on the development of affordable housing.
We consolidated our services so we could focus on the development of affordable housing.
After 10 years Kelly Parker retired as Company Director
After 10 years Kelly Parker retired as Company Director
We finalised our consolidation.
We finalised our consolidation.
Gavin Rogers retired as Company Director
Gavin Rogers retired as Company Director
We thanked Gavin for his long service, financial guidance, and the daily support he provided to Connect Housing Group.
We thanked Gavin for his long service, financial guidance, and the daily support he provided to Connect Housing Group.
After ten years in the role, Jennifer Emmett retired as Company CEO.
After ten years in the role, Jennifer Emmett retired as Company CEO.
Jennifer continued to work on a casual basis as the Company Secretary and to assist with the Council Stock Transfer and the Integration with BlueCHP
Jennifer continued to work on a casual basis as the Company Secretary and to assist with the Council Stock Transfer and the Integration with BlueCHP
Toni Hamilton was appointed as the Regional Operations Manager
Toni Hamilton was appointed as the Regional Operations Manager
Stephen Wallace retired from the board.
Stephen Wallace retired from the board.
Carol Norris became a Director
Carol Norris became a Director
The Transfer of the Council properties to Mackay Regional Housing Company occurred on Monday 12 February 2024.
The Transfer of the Council properties to Mackay Regional Housing Company occurred on Monday 12 February 2024.
The Shareholders voted in favour of the new integrated company structure on 7 March 2024 and the restructure was finalised on 22 March 2024.
The Shareholders voted in favour of the new integrated company structure on 7 March 2024 and the restructure was finalised on 22 March 2024.
With the change of company structure; Josey Comerford, Paul Thompson, Maree Franettovich and Fran Mann stepped off the board. Jennifer Emmett finished in the role of Company Secretary and Intergration Officer
With the change of company structure; Josey Comerford, Paul Thompson, Maree Franettovich and Fran Mann stepped off the board. Jennifer Emmett finished in the role of Company Secretary and Intergration Officer
