Queensland Deputy Premier, Steven Miles, has today released a plan for the construction of close to 900,000 new homes in South East Queensland by 2046 to accommodate 2.2 million new residents.
Mr Miles said the plan was a blueprint for unlocking housing supply in one of the nation’s fastest growing regions and includes a commitment to work with councils on new housing diversity targets to offer Queenslanders more choice in how and where they live.
The plan recognises the need for more social and affordable housing to be provided in the future and sets a new target of 20% for the region, he said.
Well-located homes are a big focus, with planning for an extra 100,000 dwellings close to jobs, transport and across well-serviced areas.
To help manage growth well, the plan includes the SEQ Infrastructure Supplement to ensure homes are well serviced by transport and key infrastructure like hospitals, university precincts and schools.
“South East Queensland is booming, with almost six million people expected to call this region home by 2046,” Mr Miles said.
“More housing is needed than ever before, and we need a plan that ensures homes are delivered when and where they need to be while also protecting Queensland’s great lifestyle.
“We committed to reviewing our plan for South East Queensland as a key outcome from the Housing Summit, and we are delivering on that promise.”
Mr Miles said Queensland could not only rely on traditional models and new greenfield development as the answer for housing choice and affordability.
“This plan helps put in place a framework that councils can use to deliver more homes over the coming decade,” he said.
“For the first time, councils in the region’s 12 local government areas will be required to adjust their planning schemes to help deliver a mix of homes to offer more choice to our communities.
“Infrastructure is a key piece of the puzzle to support housing growth, so we’ve aligned this plan with an infrastructure supplement to ensure we get it right.”
The region includes the local government areas of:
- Brisbane City Council
- Gold Coast City Council
- Ipswich City Council
- Lockyer Valley Regional Council
- Logan City Council
- Moreton Bay City Council
- Noosa Shire Council
- Redland City Council
- Scenic Rim Regional Council
- Somerset Regional Council
- Sunshine Coast Council
- Toowoomba Regional Council (urban extent only).
“Importantly, this plan isn’t just about housing affordability, it’s about affordable living,” said Minister for Housing, Meaghan Scanlon.
“Making sure the right housing is available, at the right location, to maximise access to local services, transport and jobs is critical.
“But we can’t do this alone – it requires all levels of government, including councils, industry and our communities, to make this a reality,” she said.
Queenslanders are being invited to have their say on the draft plan here. A final plan is due to be released by the end of the year.
