- Crisafulli Government's Land Activation Program locks in first proponents within a few short months, delivering more than 450 homes in Banyo.
- The 6.4-hectare site will unlock a diverse mix of townhouses, as well as affordable and aged care housing, with assessment and approvals to be streamlined.
- The Crisafulli Government is delivering a plan for Queensland's future and pulling every lever to tackle Labor's Housing Crisis.
The first homes delivered under the Crisafulli Government's nation-leading Land Activation Program are a major step closer, with the successful proponents announced for its inaugural site at Banyo today.
Only a few short months since the initiative was launched, the former Energy Queensland site will unlock a diverse mix of more than 450 homes across, including aged care and affordable housing.
During Labor's decade of decline, the 6.4-hectare site sat fenced off and vacant under the former government while Queenslanders struggled to put a roof over their heads.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start and getting on with the job of giving Queenslanders a place to call home, with early works expected to start within a matter of months.
AR Development Group will deliver a 207-townhouse development, alongside Rockpool Holdings which will deliver a new 180-bed residential aged care facility.
Mission Australia Housing will also deliver a 64-unit affordable housing development, comprising one and two-bedroom homes, supporting key workers in Banyo.
The Banyo site was also recently declared a Provisional Priority Development Area (PPDA), which will accelerate the planning, assessment and delivery of homes, so Queenslanders can move in quicker.
The Land Activation Program unlocks underutilised government-owned land by partnering with the private sector to build homes and help address Labor's Housing Crisis.
Economic Development Queensland was inundated by industry interest for the Banyo site, receiving 157 expressions of interest.
Since launching the program in February 2026, over 21 hectares of land has been released to market and another 3,000 hectares of potential sites have been identified and are under assessment.
That's a stark contrast to Labor's Housing Crisis which saw housing lot approvals slump by 29 per cent, leading to record-low rental vacancy rates, a skyrocketing social housing waitlist and the lowest home ownership rate in the country.
Labor's failed Ground Lease Model cost $2.4 million per dwelling, and the Queensland Productivity Commission found their restrictive mandates on State Facilitated Developments stalled developments and rendered them unviable.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie said the Land Activation Program was part of the Crisafulli Government's fresh state for housing.
"We're achieving real availability and affordability to help tackle Labor's Housing Crisis," Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
"The Land Activation Program is unlocking land that had been left to sit vacant for a decade under Labor and is delivering more places to call home for Queenslanders.
"Unlike Labor, we're delivering more housing, including affordable homes, quickly – without spending billions of taxpayer dollars or using failed restrictive mandates that stalled developments.
"Availability equals affordability and by ensuring supply is unlocked, while also delivering a record number of social and affordable homes and support for first homebuyers, we're delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders."
Property Council of Australia Queensland Executive Director Jess Caire said the announcement marked an important milestone for the Land Activation Program.
"This shows what can be achieved when government and industry work together with a clear focus on delivery," Ms Caire said.
"It's encouraging to see a mix of housing and uses proposed for the Banyo site, helping unlock greater diversity on well-located land close to jobs, transport and everyday amenities.
"Reaching this point in just four months from the program's launch reflects the pace and partnership needed to make a meaningful difference to housing supply, affordability and choice for Queenslanders."
AR Development Managing Director Andrew Bauber said the Banyo site was ideal.
"We are pleased to partner with the Queensland Government to deliver new housing at Banyo, helping to increase supply in a well located area and support a growing community in Brisbane's north," Mr Bauber said.
Rockpool CEO Melissa Argent said she was proud to be a local provider delivering local housing.
"As a proud Queensland business, Rockpool is thrilled to again partner with EDQ to bring to life a 180-room, state of the art, residential aged care home for Banyo and the surrounding communities," Ms Argent said.
"Every Rockpool home is supported by partners who share our dedication to quality, innovation, and meaningful care. Our expertise ensures we create environments that feel safe, thoughtful, and vibrant for our residents, families and team."
Mission Australia Housing General Manager Peter Garrone said he was proud to deliver 64 affordable homes at the Banyo site.
"This project is a powerful example of what's possible when governments, community partners and the housing sector work together to boost supply in a meaningful, long-term way," Mr Garrone said.
"As one of the largest national providers of both community services and community housing, Mission Australia manages over 4,600 social and affordable dwellings, with more than 8,000 residents.
"This development represents hope, opportunity and a shared commitment to ensuring that everyone has a place to call home."
The Land Activation Program is just one of the Crisafulli Government's range of initiatives to help more Queenslanders find a place to call home, including:
- $2 billion Residential Activation Fund, which has already unlocked 98,000 homes with more to come.
- More than $2 billion in joint Federal and State funding to unlock 51,000 homes, including 20,000 for first home buyers.
- Supporting first home buyers by removing stamp duty on new builds.
- Introducing a nation-leading Boost to Buy shared equity scheme to help reduce the deposit gap.
- Increasing rental availability by lifting subletting restrictions.
- Delivering 1 million homes, including a record pipeline of 53,500 social and community homes by 2044.
