Summit outcomes set to boost housing supply

The Palaszczuk Government’s audit of government buildings has shortlisted seven sites that could be used for housing in the South East.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said work was underway on an audit of State Government-owned land and buildings to identify housing opportunities.

“Included are sites leased to local councils that could potentially be used for accommodation,” Mr Miles said.

“Hundreds of potential sites have been reviewed, of which seven have been shortlisted for further investigations in Southport, Varsity Lakes, Fortitude Valley, Wynnum, Bundaberg, Mango Hill and Albion. And the audit is continuing.”

Mr Miles said it was just one of the key outcomes from the state’s historic Housing Summit on housing supply, affordability and choice, announced by the Premier today.

“Thanks to this collaborative approach of the Queensland Housing Summit, we are now able to take decisive actions to improve housing supply, security, affordability and diversity.”

Major initiatives of the Queensland Housing Summit Outcomes Report for the State Development Department include:

• The creation of a specialist cross-government Housing Delivery Board that will set targets and deliver results;
• An expansion of the role of the government’s land use planning and property development agency, Economic Development Queensland (EDQ); and
• Planning for a post-Olympic housing stock boost achieved through the use of Olympic village infrastructure.

The South East Queensland Regional Plan ShapingSEQ, will also be reviewed to ensure responsiveness and enhance the framework for engaging with councils to accelerate the delivery of more housing.

The Queensland Government’s Priority Growth Areas, being identified by a Growth Areas Team formed last year, could also be introduced to the state’s Planning framework to increase opportunities for unlocking land in greenfield and infill areas.

“These initiatives will complement those already underway including the $200 million infrastructure investment for growth areas and Priority Development Areas, the reduction in rental restrictions on granny flats and faster approvals for emergency housing in disaster-affected communities,” Mr Miles said.

ENDS

Media contact:           Katharine Wright 0422 580 342