Queensland Housing Density Gets $350m Boost

Queensland has moved to increase housing density, committing $350 million to developments in areas that offer transport, infrastructure and jobs.

Announced by state housing minister Meaghan Scanlon on May 24, the Incentivising Infill Development Fund would cover known infrastructure costs to avoid these being passed on to homebuyers, promoting housing choice and improving affordability, the Government said.

“The fund will ... support the viability of well-located homes, ensuring that Queensland can provide diverse and affordable housing in areas that are vacant or underutilised to meet the needs of our growing population,” the minister’s office said.

It is part of the state’s measures to meet its goal to deliver a million new homes by 2046 and comes as the Miles Government revealed it had received 145 expressions of interest for its recently announced fast-track approval pathway.

These proposals vary from eight homes to 2500 and “hold the potential to significantly increase housing supply in Queensland”, the Government said.

The new State Facilitated Development unit will now assess these proposals to decide which align with state priorities, according to the Government.

Projects that include affordable housing for low-to-moderate-income households will receive top priority in the new approval pathway.