The Queensland Government has approved a request from Toowoomba Regional Council to adopt temporary planning changes that pave the way for thousands of extra homes.
The council proposed a Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) that would enable it to fast-track residential developments in existing underutilised urban land whilst it also continues with preparing its new local planning scheme and long-term housing solutions.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles said the proposed measures meant Toowoomba could progress local housing options quicker in areas with access to existing or planned infrastructure.
"Growth pressures from interstate migration being felt across the state, including in Toowoomba," Mr Miles said.
"The proposed TLPI is a clear path forward to boosting housing supply and easing the housing shortage in Toowoomba.
"This is a positive example of a council being proactive in tackling housing issues and finding local solutions to get new homes off the ground sooner.
"I want to congratulate the Toowoomba Council for taking this approach."
"Toowoomba's TLPI will streamline the delivery of about 2800 new lots and houses on serviced and suitably located land in the Emerging Community Zone.
"Land in this zone, taking in Cotswold Hills, Glenvale, Torrington and Drayton, has been earmarked for development.
"The TLPI also paves the way for medium and higher density housing development on underutilised land in the Toowoomba region by allowing the use of pumped pipe stormwater management systems on about 9000 lots.
"Available housing is vital to the economic growth and sustainability of our regional towns and cities.
"We are continuing to work with councils to find solutions so available and affordable housing is available to Queenslanders across the state."
Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio said the move would create a simpler, shorter and lower-risk process for the development of land with access to existing or planned infrastructure.
"We're pleased to hear the Minister has signed off this request which is designed to simplify and speed up the approval process for new housing across the Region.
"This will reduce the level of regulation applying to the creation of additional housing in greenfield development areas on the fringe of Toowoomba City, as well as stormwater solutions for sites in existing urban areas making them more feasible for development, to assist in addressing housing stress currently being experienced within the Toowoomba Region. Council is also looking to unlock the latent capacity in our existing infrastructure networks, particularly around in-fill development. This also delivers a more cost-effective solution as we encourage more dwellings to be built.
"The TLPI is part of a suite of residential assistance measures, along with financial incentives, that Toowoomba Regional Council has progressed to encourage development of new housing supply."
The Planning Act 2016 allows local councils to request the Minister's approval to make a TLPI.
It can be in place for up to two years while amendments are made to a council's planning scheme.
