New team to lead planning for state’s future growth

A specialist team will be created to ensure Queensland can keep up with population growth and the demand for housing and infrastructure development that comes with it – all part of the Government’s economic recovery plan, to create more jobs and development in our state.

Speaking at the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s SEQ Growth Forum, Deputy Premier and Minister for Planning Steven Miles announced the government would establish a Growth Areas Delivery Team.

“Queenslanders want to know that when they’re ready to buy their first home, they will be able to do so without being priced out of the market or when they’re ready to retire and downsize, they can do so without the need to move far away,” Mr Miles said.

“Queensland’s population is booming, and I want to ensure our government and local councils can keep up with the increase in demand for land, housing and the supporting infrastructure that comes with it. 

“That’s why I’ve asked the State Planner to work with Economic Development Queensland to establish a Growth Areas Delivery Team.

“This team will pursue new partnerships between developers, local government, utility providers and state to support structure planning, infrastructure planning and infrastructure funding arrangements for new growth areas.” 

Mr Miles said the team’s first task will be to identify a pilot site for a new growth area. 

“We’re keen to get on with the job of planning for Queensland. That’s why I will be asking the team to identify a pilot site by the end of the month,” he said. 

“The pilot site identified will be an example of how local and state governments and the private sector can work together to plan for better communities. 

“The team will also work to bring land in the underutilised urban footprint to market sooner and ensure that quarterly local government infrastructure reporting identifies infrastructure spending and delivery for larger councils.”  

Mr Miles said seven applications for the Building Acceleration Fund totalling $72.8 million had reached the final stage of the assessment process. 

“These projects are located across the state and will unlock land supply and employment opportunities,” Mr Miles said. 

“The Building Acceleration Fund is helping to deliver catalytic infrastructure projects that generate private sector investment, unlock development in Queensland and create construction and long-term employment.”

ENDS

Media contact: Katharine Wright - 0428 957 903