The decision by the Queensland Government on 27 March 2025 to revoke the State Facilitated Development (SFD) for Tewantin has demonstrated a commitment by the state government to not override local governments, communities and their planning schemes. The Minister for Planning’s decision will provide relief for the community, who overwhelmingly opposed the project due to several factors including excessive height and lack of genuinely affordable units. To read the government’s decision notice, head to https://dsdmipprd.blob.core.windows.net/general/621dc04a-1930-4b96-ad6c-cc1b84a55446/SFD-01040%20-%20Notice%20of%20proposed%20revocation%20-%2087-89%20Poinciana%20Ave%20and%2010%20Sidoni%20St,%20Tewantin.PDF
There was confusion in the community as the words used in these types of applications of ‘affordable’ led some residents to believe this would address our ongoing need for affordable housing for our key industry workers, which is not the case. There needs to be realistic, genuine thresholds of eligibility, and the current criteria of below $799,000 is insufficient and needs to be tightened substantially.
We look forward to upcoming projects where developers are working collaboratively with Noosa Council being realised, including the state-owned Doonella Street site.
All levels of government understand the importance of delivering genuine affordable housing, and after years of inaction, then overreach through the SFDs, may we move to a space where projects that have ticked the boxes swiftly move forward.
With state government advising, that the Doonella Street project will not commence construction until the 2026/27 year, given this has now been three years in the pipeline, there is a need to fast track this housing.
The new government has committed to addressing the issues that contribute to long delays in deliverables, and Sandy can see no reason that sites nearly ready to go should not be prioritised. The review of the eligibility criteria for social and community housing also needs to be completed.
In addition, initiatives including projects for transitional accommodation for our workers until permanent housing is completed, be funded to alleviate the domino effect that our housing crisis has delivered, which has included an inability to secure needed staff.
As mentioned in our Noosa 360 update earlier this month, Sandy, as part of efforts to prevent further misleading SFD applications, asked a Question on Notice (QON) recently in Parliament on whether the Government will review and revise the SFD legislation and regulations including the definitions for ‘affordability’ to deliver outcomes in line with community needs, with the answer due 11 April 2025.
We thank the community for remaining clear on their expectations and the Deputy Premier for acting on them.
Further information
For all Sandy’s previous Noosa 360 updates on the SFDs, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=State+Facilitated+Development.
For Sandy’s latest housing updates, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Housing.
To contact the relevant Minister, email deputy.premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please copy our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward us any response that you receive.