URGENT UPDATE: The Queensland government has just announced a controversial decision to eliminate social and affordable housing requirements for a key Brisbane development area. This move, revealed by Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie on Thursday, October 26, 2023, is raising alarms among social service advocates who see it as a significant setback in meeting the state’s housing goals.
Bleijie confirmed that the previous mandate requiring developers to allocate 20 percent of housing in the Woolloongabba Priority Development Area (PDA) for social and affordable housing will be scrapped. The new plan is projected to deliver 16,000 homes, an increase of 2,000 compared to earlier proposals. The announcement coincided with plans for a new 17,000-seat arena to be constructed ahead of the 2032 Olympics, signaling a shift in focus towards commercial development.
Critics, including Aimee McVeigh, CEO of the Queensland Council of Social Service (QCOSS), are voicing strong opposition to this decision. McVeigh argues that the removal of these requirements will deepen the housing crisis in Queensland, stating, “This is a missed opportunity to provide necessary housing for those in need.” The QCOSS believes that the previous regulations were vital for addressing the social housing deficit in the region.
During the announcement, Bleijie defended the decision by stating that the market had “rejected” the requirements, citing that only three development applications were submitted under the previous Labor government’s plan. “There is no point in having a document out there mandating social and affordable housing if the private sector are not going to deliver it,” he declared, echoing a sentiment of prioritizing market-driven solutions.
This latest development raises pressing questions about the future of affordable housing in the area, as advocates worry that without mandated quotas, vulnerable communities may be further marginalized. The government’s shift to a more flexible approach is seen as a way to stimulate development but is met with skepticism from those who argue that it could exacerbate the housing crisis.
As the situation unfolds, community leaders and housing advocates are calling for urgent discussions on alternative solutions to ensure that the needs of all Queensland residents are met. The immediate impact of this policy change will be closely monitored as stakeholders assess its implications for housing accessibility in Brisbane.
What’s next? Watch for responses from local advocacy groups and further statements from government officials as the debate heats up. The urgency of the housing crisis in Queensland remains a top priority, and how this decision plays out could shape the landscape of Brisbane’s development for years to come.
