Infrastructure funding to unlock land supply in SEQ

A new site in Southern Redland Bay will become a priority growth area, with the Queensland Government investing in catalyst infrastructure to unlock over 5,000 lots, improving land supply and housing affordability.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said tackling land supply challenges was part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.

“Our strong health response to the COVID-19 pandemic has people moving to Queensland in droves,” Mr Miles said.

“This has put pressure on available land supply. That’s why, earlier this year I announced the Growth Areas Team, to help accelerate development and address land supply challenges to cater for Queensland’s booming population.

“The Growth Areas Team has identified Southern Redland Bay as a priority growth area to accelerate land supply in South East Queensland.

“The project will unlock growth, housing choice and affordability, as part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.”

The Queensland Government is co-investing with Lendlease in the staged delivery of the $30 million wastewater treatment plant.

Ms Richards said construction of a new wastewater management plant to service the Southern Redland Bay area will soon begin.

“Our Government’s $15 million investment will mean we are able to continue to meet the demand of the growing Redlands population,” she said.

“Initial works at the plant will support around 30 direct jobs and 49 indirect construction jobs, helping with our regions economic recovery.

“Investing in essential infrastructure is part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan.”

Mr Miles said the Palaszczuk Government is investing $15 million in loan funding from the government’s Building Acceleration Fund, part of the flagship $3.34 billion Queensland Jobs Fund.

“As well as servicing the broader Southern Redland Bay area, the plant will service Lendlease’s master planned community ‘Shoreline’, as well,” Mr Miles said.

“Investing in this essential infrastructure will allow for the construction of up to 3000 residential dwellings, a town centre, potential primary school, and community and sports facilities.

“The infrastructure funding will also unlock an additional 2000 lots outside the master planned community.

“Initial works will support around 30 direct jobs and 49 indirect construction jobs, helping with our regions economic recovery.

“Lendlease anticipates over 662 construction jobs and supply chain jobs will be generated per annum over the 20-year development lifecycle of Southern Redland Bay.

“The construction of the plant responds to growth challenges in SEQ and provides infrastructure that will help to unlock land and provide for population growth.”

Mr Miles said the Growth Areas program is currently focused on a number of local government areas to accelerate land supply.

“The Growth Areas Team, along with Economic Development Queensland, has been hard at work partnering with local governments, industry and the utilities sector to accelerate land supply in SEQ,” he said

“Work has swiftly identified the infrastructure and funding necessary in the region to support the Government’s economic recovery plan, to create more jobs and development.

“The program’s first pilot site, within a neighbourhood precinct of Caboolture West, is on target to deliver 3,000 lots to market.

“This will complement an additional 3,091 residential lots recently approved in the Aura development within the Caloundra South PDA. These approvals will provide much needed land for new homes in the Sunshine Coast community.”

A Ministerial Infrastructure Designation has been made and will streamline approvals for the Southern Redland Bay Waste Water Treatment Plant.

Stage 1 works are expected to start late 2021. Redland City council will operate and maintain the wastewater treatment plant.

The $3.34 billion Queensland Jobs Fund includes catalytic infrastructure projects identified by the Building Acceleration Fund.

ENDS

Media contact:           Katharine Wright – 0428 957 903