In November 2014, the Queensland State government introduced the
Planning and Development Bill 2014
(Bill). The Bill was the culmination of nearly two
years of extensive consultation between the State government and
stakeholders, with UDIA (Qld) representatives committing
unprecedented resources to attending workshops and meetings,
reviewing working papers, drafting submissions and presenting
seminars to industry participants. Undoubtedly other stakeholders,
including the Local Government Association of Queensland and many
local government councillors and officers, dedicated similar
resources. The Bill automatically lapsed upon the Legislative
Assembly being dissolved.
Given the level of participation by stakeholders, and general
goodwill displayed during the process, it would be a significant
missed opportunity to bring about much needed reform for a sector
that is crucial to the State's economy if the Bill was not
re-introduced under a new State government.
