Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 2023

Queensland’s planning framework is one of the key tools used by state and local governments to deliver connected, liveable and sustainable communities across Queensland.

The Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 2023 proposes amendments the Planning Act 2016 to improve the planning framework’s response to housing supply challenges. It also includes a suit of amendments to ensure that the system is working as efficiently as possible.

The Bill proposes new short-term, targeted interventions aimed at facilitating new housing delivery in growth areas including:

  • the ability for the Planning Minister to acquire land and create an easement for critical infrastructure to unblock development in the right locations and at the right time
  • a new and streamlined state led assessment process to facilitate development that is a priority of the state, for example affordable housing delivery
  • a new zone to help local governments better sequence development and allow for detailed land use planning to occur.

The Bill also includes amendments to the planning framework, to respond to matters that have arisen since the commencement of the Planning Act, these include:

  • modernising the operation of Development Control Plans within the planning framework and ensuring existing approvals are valid;
  • streamlining renewal and registration processes for urban encroachment provisions,
  • streamlining the Planning Minister’s direction powers for local government planning schemes,
  • for a temporary period, removing the requirement for developers to obtain a development approval for particular development,
  • improving the functionality of applicable events and temporary use licences,
  • modernizing public notice and submission requirements
  • reduced regulatory burdens for State and local governments by improving processes.

View our fact sheet ( 161.5 KB) more information.

Helpful information

The list below provides further information on changes under the Bill.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The Bill amends the Planning Act to:

    • remove barriers affecting housing and land supply in areas where new homes are needed, supporting the response to the current housing crisis, and
    • respond to feedback from stakeholders around the Planning Act and other planning legislation raised since its commencement in 2017.

  • The Bill aims to address the key challenges affecting housing and land supply by:

    • deliver and coordinate infrastructure where fragmented land holdings are a barrier to development occurring,
    • ensure greater efficiencies in delivering key infrastructure such as roads and schools to support growth,
    • support growth by ensuring development is approved in the right areas, at the right time, where detailed land use and infrastructure planning has occurred,
    • support the delivery of diverse housing types and affordable housing opportunities in infill and greenfield development areas.

Further information

The Bill is currently being considered by the State Development and Regional Industries Committee. The department encourages submissions on the Bill through the Committee process, which can be found on the Queensland Parliament website.

Last updated: 19 Oct 2023