Housing assistance measures to reduce regulations and streamline development to aid housing supply have been finalised today.
After receiving approval from the Deputy Premier, Minster for State Development, Infrastructure Local Government and Planning earlier this month, Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) has adopted a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) which will come into effect on 23 December 2022.
TRC Planning and Development Committee Chair Cr Megan O'Hara Sullivan said Council had worked diligently over the past year to implement a suite of residential assistance measures to improve housing supply and housing choice in the Region.
"I'm thrilled to see this get across the line," Cr O'Hara Sullivan said.
"We know housing supply is a significant issue throughout all of Australia and have been in regular discussions with the local development industry for some time now to see what measures could be put in place within the Toowoomba Region to help improve our situation.
"The TLPI will create a simpler, shorter and lower-risk process for development of existing urban land with access to existing or planned infrastructure.
"In greenfield areas it means development of land in the Emerging Communities Zone has an approvals framework consistent with other currently zoned urban land. The TLPI also includes stormwater solutions for sites in existing urban areas where units are preferred to make them more feasible to develop.
"These measures will streamline the delivery of a variety of homes in suitable locations with access to urban infrastructure and services, including a potential 2800 new lots and homes in the Emerging Communities Zone. A variety of housing choice is important to supporting our community and for Toowoomba to continue to attract regional jobs growth."
TRC Planning and Development Committee Portfolio Leader Cr Bill Cahill said this was the final piece of a suite of residential assistance measures that Council introduced mid-year.
"There has been a significant amount of time and effort which has gone into this work and as such, it was pleasing to see the State Government congratulate Council on taking such a proactive approach to tackling housing issues," Cr Cahill said.
"We understand that housing supply is a complex issue and requires a comprehensive response. In addition to the TLPI, Council has introduced a range of other measures to stimulate housing supply and improve housing choice in the Region."
These measures include:
- Reducing operational works fees to 50% of the approved fee
- Temporary Incentive for Medium Density Residential Development to encourage development of dual occupancies and multiple dwelling with existing approvals and new development in appropriate locations with access to infrastructure services and amenity.
"In addition to this, Council is working with Brisbane Housing Council, a not-for-profit community housing provider to deliver new social, affordable and key worker accommodation in the Toowoomba CBD," Cr Cahill said.
"The suite of measures undertaken by Council is one of the most comprehensive approaches by any local government association in Queensland and is aimed at supporting housing supply and diversity in a range of complimentary ways.
"The ongoing challenge for Council is to ensure the need for housing choice and demand is balanced within the context of other important issues as we progress the formation of a new planning scheme and manage future growth."
Toowoomba branch president of the Urban Developers Institute of Australia Edward Hodge said, "This is a very positive step forward in our joint efforts with TRC to get more housing on the ground as fast as possible."
"The industry is facing a wave of challenges to solve the housing issues in our city and across the state, so measures like what TRC have approved can only help solve the problem.
"We look forward to further strengthening our working relationship with TRC in 2023 and providing any assistance we can to advance the supply of housing."
