The Premier spoke in Parliament today on the Government’s Outcomes Report from the Queensland Housing Summit, which was held in October and brought together Government Ministers, representative of local government, construction and real estate industry representatives, not-for-profit housing organisations and MPs, including myself. This followed from the ongoing housing crisis across Queensland, one we have advocated about since 2019 as severely impacting the Noosa area. The Premier reported on a range of actions:

The National Housing Accord, agreed by Commonwealth, State and Territory Governments, to build 1 million homes across Australia over 5 years from 2024

A $56m funding injection to support 50 actions in the report, including $11m assistance for people in housing stress to stay in their rental homes, and $8.5m for outreach homelessness services

Completing an audit of unused government land that can be used for housing, including working with not-for-profit organisations and churches on land that they have available (audit is expected to be completed in three months)

Strengthening the remit of Economic Development Queensland to drive housing land supply

Streamline housing planning approvals for housing, particularly social and community housing

Open a modular homes factory to be operated by QBuild, the Government builder, to deliver housing for new social housing and housing for frontline workers

Establishment of a Housing Delivery Board to oversight the Governments housing program and report to Cabinet

A program to build 400 homes for Government employees to free up housing for the private market

A housing roundtable in the first Quarter next year to review progress

The report acknowledges that the Government is reviewing the economic impacts of short-term rental accommodation, including the impact on housing availability, but the outcomes of that review are not yet available. We have requested further information on the STA review including timelines and will provide an update when the information is received.

The full report is at https://www.qld.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/333366/Housing-Summit-outcomes-report.pdf

My latest speech in October 2022 on housing is at the following link: https://www.bit.ly/3SJt1yp