- The amended Woolloongabba PDA Development Scheme has been given the green light by the Crisafulli Government.
- The plan will accelerate the delivery of up to 16,000 new homes for Queenslanders and reduce red tape for industry.
- The plan's finalisation follows engagement with industry and the community to identify a roadmap for the area's long-term growth.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders, after Labor's decade of decline and unworkable red tape.
The Crisafulli Government has given the green light to fast-track the delivery of up to 16,000 homes in the Gabba Entertainment Precinct, securing a plan for Woolloongabba's long-term growth and delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders.
Following the release of the Crisafulli Government's 2032 Delivery Plan, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie today announced he had approved the amended Woolloongabba Priority Development Area (PDA) Development Scheme, incorporating the new Gabba entertainment precinct, which would remove red tape and other burdensome costs to deliver up to 16,000 homes.
The Woolloongabba PDA Development Scheme capitalises on the area's proximity to the Brisbane CBD, Kangaroo Point, Southbank, major hospitals and the new Cross River Rail station.
Under the former Labor Government's decade of decline, housing lot approvals plummeted 29 per cent, meaning more Queenslanders found it increasingly difficult to find and keep a roof over their head.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a better lifestyle through a stronger economy, with a record $5.6 billion investment in new and social community housing as well as the $2 billion Residential Activation Fund to help deliver on the ambitious target of one million homes by 2044 to ease Labor's Housing Crisis.
Today's announcement comes just months after the Deputy Premier announced that community consultation had opened for the updated development scheme.
Deputy Premier, and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning and Minister for Industrial Relations, Jarrod Bleijie said the amended Woolloongabba PDA Development Scheme was another example of how the Crisafulli Government and a refocused EDQ were delivering a place to home for more Queenslanders.
"This plan will accelerate the delivery of up to 16,000 new homes and reduce the end cost of a home by removing unnecessary red tape and increasing flexibility," Deputy Premier Bleijie said
"Under Labor's failed Woolloongabba development scheme, only three residential development applications were lodged – we have scrapped Labor's unworkable red tape to better reflect the reality of commercial development.
"Industry has told us repeatedly that it can deliver more housing in Woolloongabba by removing onerous conditions and better responding to market constraints.
"This plan will support a more flexible, performance-based approach to housing and infrastructure delivery that is in step with the area's growth – delivering the right infrastructure, at the right times in line with local needs.
"EDQ will continue to work in partnership with industry, Queensland Government agencies, Brisbane City Council, the community and other key stakeholders to deliver on this plan's potential," he said.
Queensland Property Council Executive Director Jess Caire welcomed the rapid progression of the amended Woolloongabba PDA Development Scheme.
"The Property Council welcomes the rapid progression of the Woolloongabba Priority Development Area by the government," Ms Caire said.
"It is reassuring that the government has listened to industry's concerns about the barriers to delivering more housing that were present under the previous development scheme.
"The updated PDA has been supported and informed by industry and will unlock the property sector's capacity to deliver housing in Woolloongabba at a time when constrained project feasibilities remain the single biggest impediment to new housing supply.
"The Property Council looks forward to seeing how Woolloongabba will grow and evolve into a legacy precinct that our city can be proud of for decades to come."
Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Queensland CEO Kirsty Chessher-Brown said industry was committed to continuing to work with the Queensland Government to help Woolloongabba reach its full potential.
"Woolloongabba is one of Brisbane city's most important precincts, offering great potential to contribute much needed new housing for the community," Ms Chessher-Brown said.
"In a great location close to the city, the Woolloongabba PDA offers an exciting opportunity for government, the community, and industry to work together to boost housing supply at a time when it has never been so needed.
"The Institute is also pleased that the Development Scheme that will guide Woolloongabba's future has been revised to ensure this area offers a compelling revitalisation proposition to industry, improving the feasibility of local housing projects and increasing their likelihood of coming to life, despite challenging industry conditions.
"Industry is committed to continuing to work with Government to help Woolloongabba reach its full potential and provide more homes for locals sooner."
