Planning issues and interests

Planning is constantly evolving in response to rapid and far reaching changes in wider society.

The state government is always looking at ways the state's planning policies and framework can improve the lives of everyone. This may be through a special state project to manage a specific issue or ensuring legislation and policies carefully balance the needs of people, places, the environment and the economy.

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

The Queensland Government is proposing 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.

Land supply and growth challenges in South East Queensland

Read more about the key initiatives underway to address current pressures on land supply across South East Queensland.

Redland Housing Strategy

The Queensland Government is preparing the Redland Housing Strategy. Development of the strategy aims to create a pathway to greater housing supply and diversity in the right locations to meet the needs of both current and future populations for the Redlands to 2046.

Short-term rental accommodation review

The Queensland Government has delivered on its commitment to investigate the impact of short-term rental accommodation on housing affordability and availability across different communities.

Updates to State code 23: Wind farm development and the associated Planning Guidance

The Queensland Government has committed to and is delivering on a commitment to review the planning framework for renewables. The government has been listening to the community and has been working with other government agencies, local councils and stakeholders to establish the issues to be addressed in the review.

Queensland Rural Workers’ Accommodation Initiative

The Queensland Government recognises the importance of rural workers’ accommodation in facilitating all aspects of the agricultural supply chain and to support the many regional and local economies that rely on rural industries.

Changes to regulation of rooming accommodation, dwellings houses and zone purpose statements

These amendments further contribute to addressing the current housing affordability and supply challenges that communities are facing across Queensland.

Changes to emergency housing regulations and infrastructure designation pathway for social and affordable housing

To provide people with more access to emergency housing during natural disasters and other events planning approval has been removed, and to deliver social and affordable housing projects faster, provide alternate assessment pathway for social or affordable housing projects by a community housing provider or under a State funded program.

Changes to secondary dwellings

To provide people with more access to housing options, restrictions on who can live in secondary dwellings will no longer apply across Queensland and will enable homeowners to rent out secondary dwellings, such as granny flats, to anyone.

Minister's Planning Awards

The Minister’s Planning Awards give planning students the opportunity to submit applications to demonstrate innovative and practical approaches to real-world planning challenges — particularly related to engagement and consultation in planning. Nominations for the 2021 Minister’s Planning Awards are now open.

COVID-19 response

Our state has helped support investment, development and jobs for Queenslanders during the COVID-19 pandemic through its nation-leading planning law changes.

City parklands

The state government has administrative responsibility for South Bank Corporation (a statutory authority) which owns and manages the 42-hectare South Bank precinct. It also represents the state's interests in funding Brisbane City Council to operate and maintain South Bank and Roma Street parklands.