Housing and land supply pipelines will be streamlined to deliver more homes, faster for Queenslanders under a revamp of the State’s planning framework, Deputy Premier, Steven Miles said today.
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, Mr Miles (pictured) said.
It includes a raft of new measures to cut barriers and get more affordable and diverse homes off the ground without delay, he said.
“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.”
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.
“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,” said Mr Miles.
“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.”
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, said Mr Miles.
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.
“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,” said Mr Miles.
