Moreton Bay Added to Housing Fast-Track Scheme

Another 30,000 homes are hoped to be added to the South-East Queensland pipeline thanks to a new Priority Development Area (PDA). 

Waraba will be Queensland’s 36th PDA, meaning development applications for the area will now be run through the Queensland Government agency Economic Development Queensland.

Designated PDAs benefit from a fast-tracked planning process aimed at allowing economic growth projects to reach market sooner.

Waraba—formerly Caboolture West and tipped as “Queensland’s newest regional city”—is a greenfield growth hub north of Brisbane and includes 3000ha of land. 

It is hoped that the PDA status will facilitate the delivery of 30,000 new homes, the State Government said, of which at least 25 per cent will be affordable and social housing.

Once the PDA is declared, an Interim Land Use Plan will be introduced and in place for 24 months before Ministerial approval of the PDA.

▲ KDL Group is working on a Moreton Bay project delivering 188 residential lots at its Avaline Burpengary East development.

Meanwhile, EDQ will develop a PDA development scheme and infrastructure plan in consultation with Moreton Bay Council and other state and local stakeholders.

“The PDA approach is well established and will provide the development industry with the confidence to invest and do business,” Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, Grace Grace said.

Developers have already had their eye on the fast-growth Moreton Bay city. 

KDL Property is delivering more that 1100 homes across six sites in the next three years, including a new estate in Waraba, and KDL managing director Kent Leicester welcomed today’s news. 

“The benefit of the PDA is that it provides certainty around delivery of critical infrastructure, including water and sewer infrastructure,” he told The Urban Developer. 

“It’s something we have been advocating for some time and will give us a great deal of clarity going forward.” 

▲ BMD Urban were appointed as the civil contractor to deliver the first stages of land at Lilywood Landings. by Lennium this year.

KDL has other projects currently under consideration with Moreton Bay City Council, and developments in progress including Regent Quarter. 

“We applaud the designation of the PDA which will allow for real progress for the whole of Waraba, and we look forward to working with the state government, the local council and authorities to deliver more much needed housing.”

Developer Lennium Group broke ground on the first project in the Waraba precinct (pictured above) marking the start of its Lilywood Landing project which will provide 700 homes upon completion. 

“The intention to declare Waraba a PDA, while overdue, is a positive step towards enabling increased land supply under a process that commenced back in 2016 with the adoption of the Caboolture West Local Plan,” said Lennium Group development manager Ian Worthington.

“While the approvals process to date has been managed by Moreton Bay Regional Council, a PDA should ensure there is a coordinated approach to future planning for all of Waraba.

“We welcome this move to give Waraba’s contribution to land supply the recognition it deserves while providing certainty for the development industry and confidence for future investors and home buyers.”

The first blocks of land at Lilywood Landings will be completed before the end of 2024 with the first homes expected to start construction in early 2025.