Redlands housing PDA to unlock 8,000 new homes

The Queensland Government has today declared the new Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area (PDA) in Redland City.

The Southern Thornlands PDA will focus the delivery of new infrastructure and more housing to support the growing local community, delivering more homes for Queenslanders, the Government said in a statement.

The PDA supports the Government’s Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan to unlock housing options across the State and scale up housing approvals by 25%. 

The PDA area spans 890 hectares and once fully developed, will be home to about 8,000 new homes, new shopping centres, parkland and community facilities. 

An early release area will provide an initial boost of around 900 homes including up to 20% new affordable and social dwellings, said Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie.

“The new Southern Thornlands PDA will unlock the right infrastructure at the right time, in the right location – like the Springacre road intersection – in line with the local community’s needs,” Mr Bleijie said.

Assistant Minister to the Deputy Premier and Assistant Minister for Planning, Housing and Better Regulation, Rebecca Young said the PDA had stalled for more than seven years under the previous Labor Government.  

“Following the declaration of the new Southern Thornlands PDA, the Queensland Government will continue to work hand in hand with Council to properly plan what we need to deliver this 20-year PDA,” Mrs Young said. 

“Now is the time for all levels of government and the community to come together and work towards the best possible 20-year plan for Southern Thornlands. 

“The Crisafulli Government is delivering on our commitment to unlock, build and boost housing options across the State,” she said.

Redland City Council Mayor, Jos Mitchell said the PDA represented the largest proposed development seen on Redlands Coast – being more than twice the size of the Shoreline estate in the city’s south.

“In light of the potential scale of development envisioned in Southern Thornlands, the Queensland Government must make a commitment to our city that the full cost of delivering critical infrastructure both within and outside the PDA will be at no cost to Redland City Council and our ratepayers,” the Mayor said.

“This is a Queensland Government decision and in order to service the growing population this development will bring, we need infrastructure and transport connectivity.

“As well as upgrades to infrastructure such as roads to service the PDA itself, the Queensland Government must also commit to fast-track critical infrastructure for the entire Redlands Coast community, including the eastern busway from Capalaba to Carindale and the duplication of the Cleveland train line.”

The Mayor said the Government must also address the significant backlog of state infrastructure in the city, and fund and deliver the key upgrades to the State road network.

“Environmental values including protection of koala habitat and corridors must also be addressed,” she said.

“There is a need for this area to incorporate viable new enterprise areas to provide employment opportunities for new residents both in the development area, City and beyond.

“The Queensland Government must commit to actively engaging with the Redlands Coast community and Council to deliver a development scheme that contributes to our naturally wonderful lifestyle – and that can be delivered at no cost to our existing ratepayers.”

The Mayor said the proposed new development must provide the schools, parks, road upgrades, wastewater solutions, required for such a huge development.

The Council says it expects the following commitments from the Queensland Government:

• The full cost of delivering critical infrastructure to service future new development within Southern Thornlands will be at no cost to Redland City Council and ratepayers;
• For development to occur, the Queensland Government must commit to region-shaping infrastructure for Redlands Coast;
• In terms of public transport this includes: the completion of planning and delivery of the full Eastern Busway extension to Capalaba; the finalisation of planning investigations to improve rail services including the duplication of the Cleveland train line between Manly and Cleveland; and high-frequency public transport connections to Capalaba, Cleveland, Victoria Point and Southern Redland Bay through to the Logan Hyperdome;
• Upgrades to the State road network including key intersections. At a minimum this would include a full upgrade for the Boundary Road/Duncan Road/Mount Cotton Road corridor from Thornlands to the Gateway Motorway; and a full upgrade for the Cleveland – Redland Bay Road corridor;
• New community infrastructure such as schools and emergency facilities;
• Ensure important environmental values across the area, (including koala habitat) are protected and enhanced;
• Actively engage with the Redlands Coast community and Council to deliver a development scheme that contributes to our naturally wonderful lifestyle, where you have access to parks, emergency services, health care and schools, employment opportunities, effective public transport, and good roads.

Despite Council’s reservations, Council is committed to collaborating with the Queensland Government agency Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) to ensure that Council achieves the best outcomes for the city and to then continue to advocate for adequate infrastructure delivery and funding.

Details of the PDA are available on the EDQ’s website here: Southern Thornlands | Economic Development Queensland