The Queensland Government has today launched its new Land Activation Program (LAP), which will unlock underutilised government-owned land across the state for new housing.
Economic Development Queensland will lead the whole-of-government initiative – a program set to initially release a 6.4ha site in Banyo, which can accommodate up to 400 homes.
It says additional sites will be progressively released to market as land activation strategies are in place across all of Queensland.
Under the LAP, EDQ will use its multiple planning and development powers under the Economic Development Act 2012 to fast-track the delivery of new homes by providing the planning certainty needed and the powers to unlock site constraints or infrastructure challenges.
Importantly, the LAP will allow EDQ to accept unsolicited proposal from industry where they have identified Government land that may be surplus to needs. EDQ will then investigate the site/s on behalf of a proponent, and provide advice on its suitability within 30 business days.
“The reality is there’s land that had been left to just sit there with no planned use by Labor while Queenslanders struggled to put a roof over their heads,” Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie.
“The site at Banyo has been fenced off and vacant for years, despite it being close to public transport, shops and schools.
“We have a lot of work to do to clean up Labor’s mess, but the Crisafulli Government is determined to boost supply and provide a place for more Queenslanders to call home.
“Queensland is now open for business and we are getting on with the job, cutting red tape, accelerating approvals and bringing development-ready land to market.”
The program is a key part of the Government’s Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan to deliver one million new homes by 2044.
Queensland Property Council Executive Director, Jess Caire said today’s announcement was an important and welcome step toward delivering more homes for Queenslanders.
“Industry has long called for a clear and comprehensive audit of underutilised governmentowned land, because identifying and activating surplus sites is critical to unlocking the new housing supply our state urgently needs,” Ms Caire said.
“This program represents a meaningful commitment to delivering more supply sooner and industry looks forward to working with government to ensure these opportunities translate into tangible more roofs over heads outcomes for Queensland families.”
Economic Development Queensland will assess industry proposals for land releases using criteria to ensure sites that are genuinely surplus can be unlocked for housing.
For more information or to register interest to participate in the LAP visit https://www.edq.qld.gov.au/land-activation-program.
