Arabic version: حكومة كوينزلاند تلغي متطلبات الإسكان الميسور من قواعد التخطيط

The Queensland government has dumped a previous mandate for affordable housing from its state planning scheme, a decision that has sparked controversy during ongoing housing affordability issues. According to ABC News, the LNP government claims that this move will reduce red tape and expedite housing delivery.

The mandate, which required at least 15 percent of homes in certain developments to be affordable, was introduced by the former Labor government in 2024. In its place, the state facilitated development (SFD) program will now cater for all types of developments predominantly used for housing that meet zoning requirements without the affordable housing stipulation.

Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie defended the changes, stating that they aim to alleviate bottlenecks in the housing supply chain. He emphasized the government’s commitment to improving housing availability and affordability, arguing that the previous administration failed to address these issues effectively.

However, the decision has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and housing advocates. Deputy Opposition Leader Cameron Dick condemned the scrapping of the affordable housing mandate, asserting that it undermines efforts to address the housing crisis in Queensland. Additionally, Q Shelter, the state’s peak housing body, expressed concern that the removal of affordability requirements could lead to a surplus of market housing, which may not be accessible to low and moderate-income families.

The government maintains that the new rules will ultimately increase the overall housing supply, aiming to lower prices through a more streamlined development process. Earlier recommendations from the Queensland productivity commission supported the removal of mandatory affordability criteria, suggesting that such requirements could hinder development and increase costs for builders.