Redland City Council is set to debate its response to the Queensland Government’s planned review of the South East Queensland Regional Plan next week, with council officers urging a broader approach that balances housing and economic growth with infrastructure delivery, environmental protection and long-term financial sustainability.
The agenda item, to be considered at the council’s February 18, 2026 general meeting, focuses on how the city will advocate for its priorities during the review of the ShapingSEQ South East Queensland Regional Plan 2023, the statutory framework guiding population growth, housing and employment planning across the region to 2046 and beyond.
Officers are recommending the Chief Executive Officer be authorised to formally write to the Deputy Premier outlining council’s policy positions and key concerns about the review process.
The State Government has indicated the review will be limited to five state interests covering housing supply, agriculture, development and construction, mining and extractive resources, and tourism.
Council officers have warned that excluding themes related to environment and heritage, safety and resilience, and infrastructure risks overlooking critical factors required to support sustainable and liveable communities.
The report notes that state planning interests are inherently linked and that pursuing housing and economic outcomes in isolation could undermine environmental protection, infrastructure coordination and hazard resilience outcomes.
Council is also reaffirming its position that the Redlands Coast has sufficient residential land supply to meet projected growth to at least 2046, particularly following the State’s decision to include Southern Thornlands in the Urban Footprint as a Priority Development Area capable of delivering up to 8,000 new dwellings.
Officers argue that rather than expanding into new greenfield areas, priority should be given to unlocking housing capacity within the existing Urban Footprint through targeted investment in major infrastructure.
This approach is expected to support higher housing yields close to jobs, services and public transport while avoiding the high costs associated with servicing new expansion areas.
Infrastructure planning is expected to be a central part of council’s advocacy, with officers strongly supporting the preparation of a new South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan to be released alongside any updated regional plan.
Council has identified major transport upgrades, public transport expansion, road corridor improvements and new community infrastructure such as schools, hospitals and emergency services as essential to supporting future growth.
The report also raises broader concerns about capped infrastructure charging frameworks, warning that current settings limit councils’ ability to recover the true cost of servicing new development and may threaten long-term financial sustainability.
The report also highlights economic development priorities, including a push for stronger regional recognition of key employment precincts across the Redlands Coast.
Officers say areas including the Cleveland activity centre, Toondah Harbour Priority Development Area and surrounding health and industrial precincts represent significant employment opportunities and should receive stronger policy support through the regional planning framework.
Environmental considerations also feature strongly in the proposed advocacy position, with officers emphasising the need for continued regional recognition of koala protection and habitat preservation.
The report also calls for ongoing coordinated planning responses for the Southern Moreton Bay Islands and continued recognition of economic transition planning on North Stradbroke Island under the Minjerribah Futures program.
Community engagement is also raised as a key issue, with officers noting that housing density, population growth and infrastructure delivery remain sensitive topics for many residents.
The report recommends a well-resourced consultation process to help build community understanding and confidence in any proposed regional planning changes.
In terms of potential land use changes, only one local area is being recommended for review, with Mount Cotton Village proposed to be formally recognised within the Urban Footprint as an established residential community.
Council has also nominated a principal planner for a proposed part-time secondment into the State planning department, aimed at giving local government direct input into the review process and strengthening collaboration between state and local government.
If adopted, council’s formal response will be submitted as part of consultation expected to begin in early 2026, with the final outcome of the review expected to influence future amendments to local planning schemes, including Redland City’s City Plan.
Councillors will ultimately decide between three options at next week’s meeting, with officers recommending council proceed with the proposed response and maintain confidentiality over commercially sensitive regional industrial land strategy documents.
