- Crisafulli Government accelerating land supply to tackle Labor's Housing Crisis, with up to 250 new homes unlocked at Varsity Lakes.
- Under-utilised government land released through the Land Activation Program to boost housing supply where people want to live.
- Industry invited to help deliver more homes by bringing long-vacant sites back into productive use.
The Crisafulli Government has unlocked land for hundreds of more homes to tackle Labor's Housing Crisis, with the release of a key government-owned site at Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast.
A 1.1 hectare site on Station Parade that was left vacant and fenced off during Labor's decade of decline will be unlocked through the Crisafulli Government's landmark Land Activation Program, with the potential to deliver up to 250 new homes in a well-located and highly connected precinct.
The Varsity Lakes site is the latest example of the Crisafulli Government's decisive action to boost housing supply, bringing long-vacant public land back into productive use so more Queenslanders have a place to call home.
Located across the road from Varsity Lakes Train Station and close to Robina Town Centre, Christine Corner Shopping Centre, leading schools and major employment hubs, the site is ideally positioned to support more homes close to transport, jobs and essential services.
The land has been owned by the Department of Transport and Main Roads and sat under-utilised after no longer being required for transport-related purposes.
It was previously one of two pilot sites announced by the former Labor Government as part of their failed Ground Lease Model thought bubble, which would have cost Queenslanders $2.4 million per dwelling to develop and maintain.
In stark contrast, by cutting red tape, fast-tracking approvals and partnering with industry, the Crisafulli Government is unlocking sites like Varsity Lakes to get more homes built sooner and ease pressure on Queensland's housing market.
EDQ is now encouraging suitable proponents to register their interest in developing the site, with registrations of interest opening today, ahead of development proposals being sought in May 2026.
The Varsity Lakes announcement follows the Crisafulli Government's statewide roll-out of the Land Activation Program, with sites already released across , Mango Hill, Banyo and Pimlico in Townsville.
The program has so-far unlocked land for approximately 1150 homes on government-owned land across Queensland, with more sites to be confirmed as the government continues on its commitment to increase housing supply.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said unlocking land was central to fixing Labor's Housing Crisis.
"Labor's Housing Crisis won't be solved by talk, which was exactly what caused it in the first place – it will be solved by action, and that means unlocking land and boosting supply," Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
"The Crisafulli Government's Land Activation Program is doing exactly that, unlocking government land that has been left to just sit there, now to deliver homes in the future.
"This Varsity Lakes site sat vacant the entire decade Labor was in government, despite its proximity to transport and services, but the Crisafulli Government will unlock this land now to deliver more homes faster.
"By pulling every lever available to government, we are creating more opportunities for industry to build homes and for Queenslanders to find housing that's within reach.
"This will deliver homes close to transport, jobs and essential services, including affordable housing options that are within reach of everyday, hardworking Queenslanders."
Member for Burleigh Hermann Vorster said the announcement would help deliver more affordable housing for those working on the frontline and protect land for a future upgrade at Stapley Drive.
"Labor's housing crisis made it too expensive for many teachers, nurses and police officers to live in the same community they were serving," Mr Vorster said.
"This land release will deliver more homes for our key workers right on the doorstep of schools, employment centres and major transport links, and within minutes of a beautiful wetland reserve and a quick trip to Burleigh Heads.
"As the local MP, I will push to make sure we get a great outcome for the whole community including working with TMR to protect land that will help deliver a future upgrade to Stapley Drive.
"After Labor kept this site locked up in the middle of a housing crisis that pushed too many to the brink, the Crisafulli Government is determined to reignite the dream of homeownership for hardworking Queenslanders."
Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) is now encouraging suitable proponents to register their interest in the site via https://www.edq.qld.gov.au/land-for-sale/varsity-lakes/
