New Bill to unlock housing and land supply across Queensland  

• The Palaszczuk Government has unveiled planning reforms to deliver more homes for Queenslanders
• New legislation has been introduced to streamline housing development and unlock land supply
• The Bill includes a number of measures to open up underutilised land                   

Housing and land supply pipelines will be streamlined to deliver more homes, faster for Queenslanders under a revamp of the planning framework.

The Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 2023, introduced to Parliament today, amends the Planning Act 2016 to improve the planning framework’s response to housing supply challenges.

It includes a raft of new measures to cut barriers and get more affordable and diverse homes off the ground without delay.

The proposed changes include:

• New powers for the Planning Minister to acquire land or create easements to deliver critical infrastructure needed to unlock development;
• A new assessment pathway for development that is a State priority, such as infill and affordable housing; and
• A new land use zone called the Urban Investigation Zone, enabling councils to better manage development in growth areas.

Several other processes are set to be streamlined, including urban encroachment provisions and the Minister’s direction powers for local planning schemes.

The Bill also amends other planning legislation to ensure the system is working as efficiently as possible.

The legislative reforms come as the Queensland Government prepares to deliver the final ShapingSEQ 2023 Update to support housing growth in South East Queensland.

The proposed changes also form part of Queensland’s response to the planning reforms agreed to at National Cabinet and in the National Planning Reform Blueprint.

Quotes attributable to Deputy Premier Steven Miles:

“The need for more housing is an issue being felt across our entire state and the nation,” Mr Miles said.

“As the fastest growing state, we need to be able to pull new levers in the planning and development system to deliver more homes, faster.

“This Bill will support the implementation of ShapingSEQ 2023 - our blueprint for delivering 900,000 new homes needed in the south-east corner by 2046 to accommodate 2.2 million new residents.

“To address housing supply constraints, the new laws will give the State powers to manage fragmented land holdings, approve affordable developments and take control of easements for water, power and sewerage.

“It will help Queensland to reach our share of the National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million new well-located homes over five years.

“And ensure Queensland is leading the way in response to the National Planning Reform Blueprint, so we are at the table to receive our fair share of this new federal funding to support growth.

“At the Housing Summit, we committed to introducing legislative changes to remove barriers to housing development.

“This Bill delivers on that promise, providing a comprehensive response to the key challenges impacting the delivery of housing across our state.

“These changes mean more homes and more jobs for Queenslanders.

“It’s another example of how the Palaszczuk Government is leading the way to deliver housing that meets the needs of all Queenslanders.”

Quotes attributable to Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon:

“Nobody can tackle the housing challenges alone, and that’s why we have been listening to stakeholders on what changes we can make to deliver more housing in the private market.

“These proposed changes will add to our Big Housing Build to get more homes up off the ground for Queenslanders.

“With this feedback, we can ensure our planning system is responsive, efficient and effective in unlocking development, with quick and targeted intervention where needed.

“This Bill marks a critical step in planning for a future where available and affordable housing is not beyond any Queenslander’s reach again.”

ENDS

Media contact: Amy Hunter 0423 651 484