The peak body for Queensland councils has welcomed the State Government’s adoption of several solutions put forward by local government in its Homes for Queenslanders plan.
Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive officer Alison Smith said the expansion of the Queensland Housing Finance Loans to include more regional Queenslanders and the short-stay accommodation registration scheme were sensible, workable solutions recommended by Queensland councils.
“Queensland councils were among the first to raise the alarm on the housing crisis gripping the state and have presented fair, sensible and workable solutions to provide more safe, secure and available homes," Ms Smith said.
“These latest announcements by Premier Steven Miles will hopefully help more Queenslanders have a roof over their head.
“Queensland councils will be pleased to see the threshold for the Queensland Housing Finance Loans lifted, from the current $141,000 income eligibility to $201,000.
“We think this small change will make a big difference to helping people into homes in regional Queensland.
“Councils and communities have also been calling long and loud for access to short-term holiday rental data.
“We support the proposed registration scheme within the plan so long as data is shared with local governments and councils can continue to regulate the short stay industry based on local circumstances, but we want to see a code of conduct in place as well.
“We also welcome other elements of the plan including infrastructure charges relief.
“However the State Government needs to do more to assist councils, including relief to councils for infrastructure charges for greenfield development, in what is currently a massive and untenable cost-shift.
“The LGAQ also supports pilots of inclusionary zoning, as proposed in the plan, but we would not support a mandatory approach, because some parts of Queensland are likely to facilitate this, but not all areas.
“It’s positive to see a commitment to monitoring of land supply and development in South East Queensland, however, the housing crisis requires a statewide response and we’d like to see the State’s monitoring program expanded across all regions and incentivise put in place to activate existing approvals.
“As everyone who has been part of the housing summits and roundtables knows, housing is a complex issue which needs a suite of solutions and we look forward to the State Government listening constructively to the views and suggestions of councils and their communities.”
Dan Knowles, Media Advisor
Phone: 0432 681 664
Local Government Association of Queensland