Zali Steggall MP welcomes milestone in Queenscliff affordable housing project
18 February 2026
Independent Federal Member for Warringah, Zali Steggall, has welcomed the halfway construction point of the Link Wentworth affordable housing development in Queenscliff, describing it as a vital step in addressing the growing housing and homelessness crisis on the Northern Beaches.
Steggall attended an event to mark the milestone on Wednesday 18 February, alongside NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson and colleagues across state government and local council.
The project, delivered in partnership with Landcom, is repurposing the former Queenscliff Community Health Centre. It will provide secure, affordable rental housing, with a focus on seniors and women over 55 and at risk of homelessness.
“We are facing a domestic violence crisis in Australia, and we know women over 55 are among the fastest-growing groups at risk of homelessness,” Steggall said. “When women and victim-survivors of domestic violence are forced to choose between remaining in an unsafe situation or facing homelessness, that is not just a housing issue - it is an indictment on our society.”
The project will deliver about 37 homes, comprising studios, one- and two-bedroom units.
Steggall said projects such as the Queenscliff development demonstrated how innovative partnerships and adaptive reuse of existing buildings can deliver practical, community-based solutions.
She congratulated Link Wentworth for their work and said all levels of government must work with the community housing sector to identify and adapt more suitable properties for affordable housing.
Link Wentworth chief executive Andrew McAnulty said getting the project off the ground had been a long road which required perseverance over many years. He said the project, once complete, would be used for affordable housing in perpetuity. “It will provide amazing, high-quality homes forever. It’s an accolade which everyone should be extraordinarily proud of,” McAnulty said.
Steggall noted that while housing stress is often associated with outer metropolitan areas, the North Shore and Northern Beaches are experiencing increasing demand for social and affordable housing.
“The challenge now is ensuring social and affordable housing funds are directed to communities like ours - areas not always considered to be suffering housing stress, but where the need is real and growing,” she said.
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