Streamlined assessment pathway for social and affordable housing programs

Who should read this?

Developers and their advisors involved in community and social housing in Queensland.

Things you need to know

1. On 21 October 2022, the Planning Regulation 2017 (Qld) (Planning Regulation) was amended to facilitate increased, and more flexible, development of social and affordable housing in response to the growing housing crisis.
2. The legislative amendments have opened up the infrastructure designation assessment pathway to registered community housing providers, and housing provided under State funded programs.
3. We anticipate the designation of affordable housing will be facilitated more efficiently than the traditional development approval pathway, given the new infrastructure category is based on the recognised 'housing emergency' in Queensland. The designation process also involves a more flexible public consultation process which may further reduce approval time frames.