• Expressions of interest (EOI) open for projects to go through a new streamlined approvals pathway aimed at unlocking housing supply
• New specialist squad in housing super department to speed up the planning and approvals process
• EOI also open to pilot five inclusionary planning models
• Critical step to build more homes, faster, as part of Homes for Queenslanders plan

The Miles Government is inviting industry to put forward housing projects to be considered as part of a new streamlined approvals process aimed at getting new homes built, faster.

Led by the government’s new State Facilitated Development team, this new process will prioritise fast-tracking developments that align with state priorities, including diverse and affordable housing.

Projects featuring affordable housing, especially for low to moderate income households, will receive top priority.

It all comes after the new State Facilitated Development team pathway was cemented this week through the Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 2023.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Local Government, Planning and Public Works, Meaghan Scanlon:

“We are making it quicker and easier to build more affordable, quality homes faster in the right locations, near services and transport.

“This new team wants to explore all proposals to deliver housing that meets the diverse needs of Queenslanders.

“The LNP think our Homes for Queenslanders plan is too much. Will they cut initiatives like this that work with industry to build the homes Queenslanders need?”

Quotes attributable to Planning Institute of Australia’s Queensland and Northern Territory State Manager, Nicole Bennetts:

“Strong population growth is expected to continue in Queensland, which when combined with smaller household sizes, means demand for affordable and diverse housing will remain high, well into the future.

“Good planning is part of the solution to facilitate more well-located affordable and diverse housing, that meet the needs of the community.

“PIA has been pleased to contribute to the entry criteria for the State facilitated DA pathway with Government, to ensure it focuses on unlocking more of the housing we need.

“PIA supports this pathway as an opportunity to bring forward innovative housing developments which deliver diverse and different forms of housing.

“By using this pathway to demonstrate density done well in the right locations, we believe the community will feel the benefits of this initiative in their neighbourhoods.”

Quotes attributable to Villawood CEO Alan Miller:

“Villawood has been in talks with the State Government about cutting red tape to fast-track development applications that deliver diverse and affordable housing.

“We’re very keen to see new legislation that prescribes affordable housing for buyers of limited income and we have projects ready to roll with this proviso.

“We see the SFD team as a meaningful and positive initiative to deliver new and innovative forms of housing for Queenslanders.

“Villawood looks forward to ongoing involvement with the SFD team across our Queensland projects.”

Further information:

• To learn more about the SFD assessment process or to submit an expression of interest, visit https://planning.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/sfd-eoi
• Homes for Queenslanders aims to deliver one million more homes by 2046, including 53,500 social homes.
• You can find out more at www.housing.qld.gov.au/homesforqueenslanders

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