The Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning is auditing Government buildings and so far has shortlisted seven sites which could be used for housing in the South-East.
Minister for State Development, Steven Miles said that included in the sites were some leased to Local Councils that could potentially be used for accommodation.
Dr Miles said the seven shortlisted sites were in Southport, Varsity Lakes, Fortitude Valley, Wynnum, Bundaberg, Mango Hill and Albion.
He said the audit was a key outcome from the State’s Housing Summit, which concentrated on supply, affordability and choice.
Major initiatives from the Summit included the creation of a specialist cross-Government Housing Delivery Board that would set targets and deliver results, and an expansion of the role of the Government’s land use planning and property development Agency, Economic Development Queensland.
The Summit also considered planning for a post-Olympic housing stock boost achieved through the use of Olympic village infrastructure.
Dr Miles said the South-East Queensland Regional Plan, ShapingSEQ, would also be reviewed to ensure responsiveness and enhance the framework for engaging with Councils to accelerate the delivery of more housing.
“The Government’s Priority Growth Areas, being identified by a Growth Areas Team formed last year, could also be introduced to the State’s Planning framework to increase opportunities for unlocking land in green-field and infill areas,” Dr Miles said.
“These initiatives will complement those already under way, including infrastructure investment for growth areas and Priority Development Areas, the reduction in rental restrictions on granny flats and faster approvals for emergency housing in disaster-affected communities.”
