State Planner appointed to unlock more housing approvals
- Peta Harwood appointed Queensland's new State Planner.
- Ms Harwood has been a leader in planning in Queensland for over a decade with senior roles in the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council.
- Ms Harwood will formally commence the role on Tuesday 28th January.
Queensland's new State Planner has been announced by Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie today, with Peta Harwood appointed to the position.
Ms Harwood will lead the important Planning Group within the Department of State Development Infrastructure and Planning and will begin the role on Tuesday, 28th January 2025.
Ms Harwood was most recently an Executive Director in the Planning Group where she led the Crisafulli Government's implementation of its 100 Day Plan to unlock church and charity owned land for the community housing sector.
For the past decade, Queensland has experienced declining housing approvals under the former government, leading to the Housing Crisis with record-low rental vacancy rates and record-high homelessness.
The Crisafulli Government has committed to unlocking one million homes for Queensland over the next twenty years, delivering a place to call home for more Queenslanders.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said he was delighted that Peta had been appointed to this role.
"I know Ms Harwood will play a critical role in helping us unlock more housing approvals for Queenslanders," Mr Bleijie said.
"Ms Harwood has been a powerhouse in Queensland's planning community for over a decade.
"Prior to her recent work in the Queensland Government, Ms Harwood led the development assessment functions for Brisbane and a cohort of 300 officers for over four years, led the first Local Government Infrastructure Plan in Queensland for Brisbane, and oversaw the 2014 new City Plan for Brisbane including its six-month community engagement, new online e-plan and interactive mapping, firsts at the time.
"Peta is keenly aware of the importance of partnering with Local Governments and Communities to plan well, and I look forward to seeing the results of that work in the near future."
Ms Harwood is a Member of the Planning Institute of Australia and was the 2024 joint winner of Outstanding Woman Planner of the Year.
