New laws to help deliver more homes for Queenslanders, faster

• New legislation introduced to support the delivery of more homes faster
• Bill gives Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) new tools to help deliver diverse, social, and affordable housing for our growing state
• Will help EDQ deliver an additional 1,300 dwellings over the next five-years

Legislation introduced today will support the Miles Government’s $3.1 billion Homes for Queenslanders plan, to help ensure every Queenslander has a safe, secure, and affordable place to call home.  

The Bill will assist in delivering an additional 1,300 dwellings over the next five-years, as well as approve a further 15,000 homes in Priority Development Areas (PDAs) - which is over double (117%) the number achievable currently.

Under the most ambitious housing policy in Queensland’s history we will reshape Economic Development Queensland, the Government’s land use planning and property development agency.

This builds on two key pillars of our Homes for Queenslanders plan: building more homes faster and boosting our social housing Big Build.

Our Government has delivered ten new homes each week since we were elected in 2015, but this legislation will help us do even more.

The legislation will help meet the Homes for Queenslanders target of 1 million new homes by 2046 and contribute to the Federal Government’s National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million new, well-located homes across Australia by 2029.

The Newman-Crisafulli Government gutted the powers of EDQ’s predecessor, the Urban Land Development Authority, restricting housing supply.

They also cut social housing stock by 428 homes leaving vulnerable Queenslanders without anywhere to live.

Now the LNP has also criticized our Homes for Queenslanders plan for being too ambitious.

Amendments to the Economic Development Act 2012 will:

• Provide EDQ with a clearer mission, incorporating social and affordable housing into EDQ’s main purpose
• Coordinate approaches to ensure liveability with the introduction of “Place Renewal Areas”
• Align to Queensland’s Big Build

Quotes attributable to Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Grace Grace:

“Just as the factors driving the housing challenges are complex, there is no one single simple solution.

“All levels of government have a role to play so that every Queenslander has a safe, secure, and affordable place to call home.

“The Miles Government is committed to using every lever at our disposal, every tool that we can, everything in our power to make that happen.

“This Bill directly supports two of the key pillars in our Homes for Queenslanders plan – to build more homes faster, and to boost our social housing Big Build.”

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning Meaghan Scanlon:

“A key pillar of the Homes for Queenslanders plan is building more homes faster.

“The best way to make housing more affordable is simple – build more houses. This Bill will help unlock more land and deliver more homes.

“It will help to deliver housing in the right locations – close to infrastructure including transport, healthcare, and support.

“It also means more diverse housing options that include granny flats, tiny homes, and smaller dwellings.”

Quotes attributable to Chair of the Housing Supply Expert Panel, Julie Saunders:

“Many Queenslanders are doing it tough, struggling to find affordable homes that are well-located with jobs and services nearby.

“I’m pleased to see the state government taking legislative action to facilitate more housing, particularly more social and affordable housing.

“The housing puzzle is really complex, and there are many layers to it – it’s great to see the Queensland Government continuing to develop and implement policies to address these challenges.”

Further information:

Read more about the legislation at: https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/economic-development-qld/about-edq/legislation

Fact sheets on this Bill: https://www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/economic-development-qld/about-edq/legislation/economic-development-queensland-and-other-legislation-amendment-bill-2024

ENDS

Media contact: Kim Sweetman, 0457 600 237