The Queensland Government has progressed plans to unlock church and charity-owned land to be developed into much-needed community housing.
The Government’s Cabinet Housing Ministerial Taskforce has held its second meeting, with key industry groups from across the state agreeing on the steps needed to deliver the commitment Queenslanders backed at the state election.
That could see land earmarked for up to 10,000 new community homes, with 500 homes to be built in the next two years in partnership with community housing providers.
Proposed changes to Queensland’s planning framework would streamline development approvals for community facilities zoned land and provide improved assessment pathways for social and affordable housing proposals by not-for-profit and charitable organisations.
Queensland Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie, said that the meeting of the new housing taskforce was a huge success.
“We have the bold target of building one million homes by 2044 so there’s no time to waste,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“New solutions must be found to provide more housing options for Queenslanders, and we are getting down to work.
“It is great to work with key industry and housing bodies and local governments to unlock church and charity-owned land for the new housing needed as we continue to reset the planning partnership with local communities and local councils.
“We have collectively agreed to deliver quick wins to fast-track small scale proposals while enabling larger or more complex developments to continue via existing, but streamlined, planning approval pathways.”
Deputy Premier Bleijie said that the government will continue to work closely with the community housing sector and local government in 2025 to remove the roadblocks that are locking Queenslanders out of the housing market.
“A key election commitment the State Government promised was to ensure more opportunities for Queenslanders to have a place to call home and that’s what we are delivering.
“We will continue to drive opportunities to activate increased supply of housing options across Queensland, ensuring planning decisions protect the lifestyle of local communities.
“We will continue to do this by respectfully partnering with local government to ensure state approvals are given in a timely manner.”
The Cabinet Housing Ministerial Taskforce will meet again early next year.
