- QLD's Priority Growth Area Legislative Amendments have been welcomed by the Property Council
- Changes hope to bring forward new greenfield land, and create certainty and consistency for stakeholders
- Hard decisions will now be made early on, said the Property Council executive director
The Queensland Government’s proposed planning reform measures have been welcomed by the Property Council (PCA).
QLD’s Priority Growth Area Legislative Amendments will start new partnerships in the planning and delivery of housing in key growth areas, hope to bring forward new greenfield land, and create certainty and consistency for stakeholders.
Property Council Queensland executive director Jen Williams said once rolled out more broadly, these reforms will bring together land use and infrastructure planning in targeted growth areas.
“Rather than viewing each development on a case-by-case basis, this new approach to planning will ensure all stakeholders are part of the conversation upfront, with the hard decisions being made early on.
“These proposed amendments show the State Government is willing to step up and take a more active role in the early stages of the planning process, rather than relying on local governments and the property industry to do the heavy lifting.”
Jen Williams, Property Council QLD executive director
With housing affordability and rapid population growth front of mind for communities across Queensland, bold, decisive moves are needed to swiftly increase the amount of land readily available for development, said Ms Williams.
“The issue of land supply is one being felt in the here and now, with several growth corridors across South East Queensland (SEQ) reporting less than the required four years of approved supply.
“Last year, house prices in Brisbane rose by 6% and Queensland welcomed over 30,000 interstate migrants. Our successful handling of the pandemic and excitement around the 2032 Games will see more people keen to move to Queensland, adding further demand to an already stressed housing system.”
Caboolture West
In March 2021, a new suburb in Caboolture West was selected as a pilot site to accelerate land supply in SEQ.
Ms Williams said, “The Caboolture West pilot plan will be implemented in early 2023, with the broader reforms set to benefit land supply in the medium-longer term.”
Moreton Bay regional council mayor Peter Flannery said, “(the site) will ultimately be the size of a regional city supporting 17,000 jobs and delivering many social benefits including new health and education centres, along with new sport and recreation facilities.”
Call for more
Ms Williams said, “Along with valuable planning reform, the Property Council urges Government to deliver a holistic plan to boost housing supply that utilises all levers at its disposal.”
This includes:
- Increasing densities through local planning schemes;
- Removing harmful foreign buyers’ taxes;
- Incentivising the establishment of Build to Rent;
- And creating a Regional Infrastructure Fund to bring forward the delivery of new housing estates.
