Qld government introduces new laws to support home delivery

The Queensland state government has introduced legislation that is designed to complement the Miles government’s $3.1 billion Homes for Queenslanders plan.

The new bill looks to assist in the delivery of a further 1,300 dwellings over the next five years, along with approving a further 15,000 homes in priority development areas (PDAs). According to the state government, this is over double (117 per cent) the number currently achievable.

The bill also gives new tools to Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) – Queensland’s land use planning and property development agency – to assist in the delivery of “diverse, social and affordable housing” for the state.

According to the state government, these new laws build on “two key pillars” of the Homes for Queenslanders plan, namely, building more homes faster and boosting its social housing Big Build.

The legislation is reportedly set to help meet the plan’s target of 1 million new homes by 2046 while contributing to the federal government’s National Housing Accord target of 1.2 million homes across the country by 2029.

The bill will look to make amendments to the Economic Development Act 2012, which include:

• Providing EDQ with a clearer mission while incorporating social and affordable housing into EDQ’s main purpose.
• Coordinating approaches to ensure liveability with the introduction of “Place Renewal Areas”.
• Aligning to Queensland’s Big Build.

Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning Meaghan Scanlon said: “A key pillar of the Homes for Queenslanders plan is building more homes faster.

“The best way to make housing more affordable is simple – build more houses. This Bill will help unlock more land and deliver more homes.

“It will help to deliver housing in the right locations – close to infrastructure including transport, healthcare, and support.

“It also means more diverse housing options that include granny flats, tiny homes, and smaller dwellings.”

The Miles government has been expected to be the first to progress state legislation to deliver the federal government’s Help to Buy scheme.

Under the scheme, the government will contribute 30 per cent of the home value of existing homes and 40 per cent of new homes.

It aims to support up to 40,000 Australians to buy a property with a minimum 2 per cent deposit without the need for lenders mortgage insurance.

[RELATED: Qld to become first to deliver Help to Buy]