Hall & Wilcox acted for consortium led by Tetris Capital and Community Housing Limited
Hall & Wilcox has advised a consortium led by Tetris Capital and Community Housing Limited (CHL) on the development and management of Queensland’s biggest social and affordable housing project, while King and Wood Mallesons (KWM) acted for financiers in the transaction.
Shaun Whittaker, partner, led the cross-practice Hall & Wilcox team. The deal team included Ben Cotter, partner; Alison Thorp, senior associate; and Richard Goodlad and Nancy Harb, lawyers.
“We’re proud to have supported Tetris Capital and CHL in bringing this transformative project to life,” Whittaker said in a news release. “This initiative addresses the urgent need for social and affordable housing in North Queensland, particularly in Cairns, where rental pressure and social housing waitlists are at an all-time high.”
The project, which will deliver 490 new homes in Cairns’ southern corridor, will transform a former drive-in cinema in Woree into a master-planned community featuring 245 social, 223 affordable, and 22 specialist disability apartments.
Once operational, CHL will manage the precinct, which will consist of modern, low-maintenance, and energy-efficient one and two-bedroom homes with access to community amenities for housing-eligible seniors and people living with disabilities in Queensland. The precinct aims to offer independent living support programs for a well-connected, vibrant, and inclusive community.
FCC Construction Australia, the lead design and construction contractor, and Modscape will undertake construction, which is expected to finish by the end of 2026, using an innovative modular housing solution.
“We’re especially excited about the delivery of the project under our unique modular construction program, which could pave the way for faster projects in regional areas of Australia that are heavily affected by traditional construction issues such as weather and access to trades,” Whittaker said in the news release.
The Hall & Wilcox team collaborated with Tetris Capital and CHL over a three-year period. The team assisted with all aspects of the transaction, including developing initial concept plans, structuring, constructing, and financing. The Hall & Wilcox team negotiated with all levels of government, regulators, and financiers.
“This development is a testament to the perseverance and collaboration between our consortium members, funders and the Department of Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works in Queensland,” Whittaker said in the news release. “They saw an opportunity to deliver a new solution to a growing regional issue and committed to seeing it through.”
Deal financing
The project is primarily funded by the Queensland government’s Housing Investment Fund, supported by financing from the Albanese government, including loans from the North Australian Infrastructure Facility. The financing also included loans from Housing Australia and ANZ Banking Group and a capital grant from Housing Australia’s National Housing Infrastructure Facility.
KWM advised Housing Australia, the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility, and ANZ on the financing. Partners Claire Rogers (financing), Amy Maguire (financing), and Steve Swan (construction) led the KWM team.
Support came from KWM’s senior associates Matthew Hundt (financing), Lauri Reid (financing), and Nicole Morris (construction), as well as from solicitors Eugenia Muñoz (financing) and Dan Canta (financing).
“We are proud to have advised on this transaction to deliver much needed social and affordable housing in Cairns through a collaboration between various government entities and the private sector,” said Rogers, who heads climate and ESG at KWM, in the firm’s media release.
