THE Queensland Government has taken a significant step in addressing the state’s housing crisis by declaring the Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area (PDA) in Redland City, aimed at delivering much-needed housing sooner.
This new development will unlock 900 homes immediately, with a projected 7000 more to follow, providing both affordable and social housing options for the community.
The Southern Thornlands PDA spans 890 hectares and, once fully developed, will be home to approximately 8000 new residences, alongside new shopping centres, parklands, and community facilities.
The early release area will include up to 20 per cent affordable and social dwellings, marking a critical investment in Queensland’s housing future.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, and Planning, Jarrod Bleijie, highlighted the significance of this declaration.
“The Crisafulli Government is delivering more housing by planning for growth and working with local communities on existing infrastructure challenges,” he said.
“Labor’s failure has created Queensland’s worst housing crisis, driving skyrocketing rents and locking Queenslanders out of owning their own home.
“Unlike Labor, who rode roughshod over local communities and failed to plan for growth, we are working together with councils, local communities, and industry to respond to the challenge and deliver more housing in the right location, in line with community needs.”
The PDA supports the Crisafulli Government’s Securing Our Housing Foundations Plan, which aims to unlock housing options across the state and increase housing approvals by 25 per cent.
An important infrastructure upgrade is already underway, with $4 million secured to improve the Springacre Rd and Boundary Rd intersection to support the expected population growth.
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Premier and Assistant Minister for Planning, Housing, and Better Regulation, Rebecca Young, noted that the Southern Thornlands PDA had stalled for more than seven years under the previous Labor government.
“Following the declaration of the new Southern Thornlands PDA, the Queensland Government will continue to work hand in hand with Council to properly plan what we need to deliver this 20-year PDA,” Mrs Young said.
“Now is the time for all levels of government and the community to come together and work towards the best possible 20-year plan for Southern Thornlands.”
However, Redland City Council has raised concerns regarding the scale and impact of the development.
A spokesperson said the Council acknowledged the PDA but stressed that it contradicted its long-standing policy position on land availability, claiming that sufficient residential-zoned land already existed to meet updated state population forecasts.
The proposed Southern Thornlands development is anticipated to accommodate up to 20,000 people and 8000 homes, including social and affordable housing.
Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell expressed her concerns about the cost of infrastructure.
“In light of the potential scale of development envisioned in Southern Thornlands, the Queensland Government must make a commitment to our city that the full cost of delivering critical infrastructure both within and outside the PDA will be at no cost to Redland City Council and our ratepayers,” she said.
“Environmental values including protection of koala habitat and corridors must also be addressed.”
Mayor Mitchell stressed the need for new employment opportunities to support the growing population, urging the Queensland Government to engage with the community and Council in delivering a development scheme that complements the region’s lifestyle.
Deputy Mayor Cr Julie Talty also raised concerns.
She highlighted that Redland City was overly dependent on residential rates and underfunded due to state capping of developer infrastructure charges.
She worried that without reducing reliance on residential rates, Redland could become just a “dormitory suburb” of Brisbane, which may not align with residents’ preferences.
