Hon. MAJ SCANLON (Gaven—ALP) (Minister for Housing, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Public Works) (9.50 am): With the 2024 local government elections behind us, I look forward to working with all newly elected councillors and mayors to improve the lives of Queenslanders. I will be meeting new mayors tonight. A huge focus will be on working closely with our 77 councils to build more homes faster. We want to unlock as much supply as we can, and local governments are a critical part of the solution for our Big Build. It cannot be business as usual, because Queensland’s population is growing.
As part of our new long-term housing plan, Homes for Queenslanders, we have set a target of one million new homes by 2046 to cater for this growth. It is an ambitious goal that will require every council in Queensland to work with us to prioritise housing. Under Homes for Queenslanders, councils will have access to a $12.5 million targeted fund providing needs-based funding for strategic planning and planning scheme updates. This will mean planning schemes are updated to facilitate the delivery of new homes in the right locations.
We have also announced a $350 million Incentivising Infill Fund to encourage development in under-utilised areas close to jobs and services. It will mean more homes faster while ensuring councils receive contributions for critical infrastructure. That is on top of the billion dollar Townsville City Deal, the $1.8 billion South-East Queensland City Deal, the $1.1 billion Works for Queensland fund, the $1.1 billion Recycling and Jobs Fund, $368 million in infrastructure funds and $76 million for local transport projects. On this side of the House we back local councils, unlike the Leader of the Opposition who, as local government minister, cut millions of dollars from Indigenous councils at the stroke of a pen. We back Homes for Queenslanders, unlike those opposite who think it is too much.
Homes for Queenslanders will be supported by updated regional plans being developed across this state, with Shaping South East Queensland 2023 leading the way by setting statutory housing supply and diversity targets. Housing pressures are being felt in all corners of the state, which is why my department is also working with rural and remote councils to find local solutions. With support the Queensland government, 22 local housing action plans have been completed for remote councils, and a further 38 plans are completed or underway for councils in other regions across the state. We are pulling every lever to unlock supply while protecting Queensland’s lifestyle, and I look forward to working with our new local government leaders to get the job done.
