Daily London
Today, Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie started the state-wide sale with a 400-home development on Brisbane’s northside.
But the new developer-driven housing scheme has drawn criticism from local residents and housing advocates alike.
The scheme’s effectively a land sale program, unlocking under-utilised state-owned land for private development.
The first parcel, a six-hectare block in Banyo, will go from a former Energex depot to 400 new homes.
“We are serious about supply, supply, supply and we’re serious about partnering with the private sector,” Bleijie said.
“When government and industry work in lockstep, we can actually deliver things faster.”
But Queensland Council of Social Service chief executive Aimee McVeigh had questions over affordability.
“The concern is, that this plan won’t deliver more social and affordable housing for Queenslanders, which is so sorely needed,” she said.
Local residents are also critical, claiming they weren’t consulted and calling for better infrastructure in the area.
“[I’m] happy to see it developed and it needs to be developed but now they’re talking high density, 400 housing, the streets just can’t handle it,” neighbouring resident Keith Bitossi told 9News.
Fellow resident Chris Vale agreed.
“The infrastructure for roads, stormwater and sewer just cannot handle what we’ve got now,” he said.
Criticism aside, the deputy premier is expected to announce further sites across the state in coming days and the land sales won’t stop there.
Under the new scheme, developers can also register interest in public land not already earmarked for sale.
The government stresses it isn’t about selling land for the right price, it’s “about land activation and housing supply”.
But opposition spokesman for state development Cameron Dick isn’t buying it.
“This LNP plan is a big win for property developer and a massive loss for Queenslanders seeking to put a roof over their own head,” he said.
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