The Palaszczuk Government will stage a Housing Summit to address the urgency around multiple housing issues, beginning this Friday with an initial roundtable of key government and non-government stakeholders.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said this week’s roundtable was a first step toward the Queensland Housing Summit which will be held in October and feeding into ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Cabinet’s consideration of the issue of housing and cost of living.
“Nothing is more important than having a roof over your head – it’s a basic need – and the stories of people without secure housing are heartbreaking,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“Affordable housing is critical to maintaining our great Queensland lifestyle.
“Many of the causes of the increased housing costs are national and need national solutions.
“I fully understand this is a tough time for many Queenslanders. We all know that recent interest rate increases by the independent Reserve Bank of Australia have made it tough for homeowners.
“All levels of government have a role to play in improving the current housing situation.”
Deputy Premier Steven Miles said a way forward, in partnership with all those who have responsibility for housing, was urgently needed.
“Queensland is one of the best places in the world to live, and it’s no wonder people are choosing to live, work and grow their families here,” Mr Miles said.
“The Property Council of Australia’s report showed that Queensland’s population grew by almost 750,000 between 2011 and 2021, with close to 90 per cent in south-east Queensland.
“A compounding set of circumstances including massive population growth, supply chain and workforce restraints and multiple weather events have created a housing challenge.”
Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch said population growth had outpaced delivery of new land supply, put unprecedented pressure on the private rental market and impacted social housing but housing action is needed by all to address housing shortages across the state.
“This can’t be done by any one entity alone – we must have greater commitment to working together,” Ms Enoch said.
“The housing sector is calling for positive action and solutions, and we know building more social housing is only one piece of the puzzle – better strategy from councils is also needed to make an impact on the housing ecosystem.”
Transport and Main Roads Minister and Member for Miller Mark Bailey welcomed the announcement.
“There is no doubt that very high interstate migration to Queensland due to our effective management of the pandemic, combined with record inflation left by the Morrison Government, has squeezed housing supply for Queenslanders,” Mr Bailey said.
“While the new Albanese Labor Government is working hard to put the inflation genie back in the bottle, the housing summit shows the Palaszczuk Government is looking at every measure in partnership with local governments to accelerate housing and apartment supply to improve affordability in a very tight rental market.”
The roundtable will bring together the Premier, Deputy Premier as well as the Public Works, Communities and Housing Ministers with the Brisbane Lord Mayor and the LGAQ.
It will also involve key non-government stakeholders including QShelter, QCOSS, the REIQ, Property Council of Australia, Master Builders and the Planning Institute of Australia among others.
It will address critical issues including unlocking land and housing supply, fast tracking social housing and – crucially – the urgent need for collaboration on housing by all levels of government and the private sector.
“My government has continued to act on this urgent issue including the construction of over 7,400 new social and affordable homes as part of our historic $1.9 billion Queensland Housing Strategy Action Plan,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“That’s in addition to the establishment of a $1 billion housing investment fund and investing $200 million to unlock housing supply.
“But there is more to be done to ensure every Queensland has access to a roof over their head.”
