The Queensland Government has declared a new Priority Development Area on the southern Sunshine Coast, unlocking the potential for 12,000 new homes.
The new Halls Creek Priority Development Area encompasses more than 1,200 hectares south of Caloundra and will support streamlined delivery of thousands of new homes, community facilities, green space and sites for new businesses.
Declaring the site a Priority Development Area will support the coordinated planning and delivery of housing, infrastructure and community facilities, said Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie (pictured).
“This is the next step in the evolution of the southern Sunshine Coast as a growing community for families and businesses, and the Crisafulli Government is ensuring the homes, facilities and infrastructure are in place and fast tracked,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“This is the fourth Priority Development Area we have declared in less than two years to ensure supply is unlocked, so more Queenslanders can have a place to call home.
“Communities like Halls Creek, together with the neighbouring Caloundra South Priority Development Area, will play an important role as we work towards our target of delivering one million homes by 2044.”
Development of the site was also recently granted Federal Environmental Protection Biodiversity Protection (EPBC) approval.
Housing Industry Association Executive Director, Michael Roberts welcomed the announcement.
“Improving housing supply is essential to keeping the Sunshine Coast affordable and accessible for local workers, young people, families and older residents,” Mr Roberts said.
“HIA members continue to report that the chronic shortage of shovel ready land on the Sunshine Coast is constraining the pipeline of new homes, making it difficult to respond to demand, so anything that can unlock land and get homes out of the ground faster is welcome.”
Stockland’s Queensland Development General Manager, David Laner said the Halls Creek Priority Development Area (PDA) was an important step towards unlocking new housing supply, essential infrastructure, jobs, and long-term economic benefits for the region.
“We welcome the Queensland Government’s declaration of the Halls Creek PDA, which recognises the site’s strategic location and ability to leverage existing and planned state infrastructure, including the Wave heavy rail project and regional road upgrades.
“The PDA has the potential to support a well-planned community that delivers new housing, employment opportunities, schools, open space and conservation outcomes, while helping accommodate the growth needed to maximise major regional investments and support the Sunshine Coast’s role in the lead up to and beyond the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.”
