Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
Bill Story
The journey of this bill through Parliament, including debate and recorded votes.
Referred to Housing, Big Build and Manufacturing Committee
▸15 members spoke15 support
Moved the second reading as Minister for State Development and Infrastructure, presenting the bill as key to expanding EDQ's role in delivering social and affordable housing and streamlining development processes.
“When this bill was introduced on 20 March, the Queensland statistician's population counter estimated our population at around 5.56 million.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Spoke as committee chair in support of the bill, emphasising EDQ's role in delivering social and affordable housing to address the housing crisis facing Queensland and the developed world.
“Through this process of EDQ development, we can get social and affordable housing and get thousands of Queenslanders moving into new homes.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Stated the LNP would not be voting against the bill, acknowledging any effort to address housing will be supported, while criticising the government for the housing crisis developing under their watch.
“Any effort to satisfy the lack of housing in Queensland will be supported.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Supported the bill highlighting the housing growth in her area and welcoming EDQ's further involvement in urban renewal in Queensland.
“I would welcome such a framework in my own area to kickstart renewal and investment.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
As committee member, stated the opposition supports the bill because these are levers government can pull to address the housing crisis, while criticising ministerial leadership failures.
“The opposition supports this bill because we know that these are some of the levers that government can pull to help.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Made a brief contribution supporting the bill and commending it to the House.
“I commend the bill to the House.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Supported the bill while raising concerns about infrastructure keeping pace with housing development in his rapidly growing electorate.
“We know that developers will not do anything to genuinely bring down the cost of housing and this government supports that.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Supported the bill and criticised the opposition for lacking courage on housing policy despite complaining about the crisis.
“They have plenty to say but they do not have any real ticker when it comes to delivery and implementation.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Spoke on housing delivery challenges, particularly highlighting failures at the Caboolture West development and criticising the government's inability to deliver on housing plans.
“Planning for and the delivery of housing is one of the most significant issues our state is facing.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Commended the bill as taking more actions to get homes on the ground, highlighting EDQ's new operating model and affordable housing targets.
“I rise to commend this bill to the House. We are taking more actions to get more houses on the ground in Queensland.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Supported the bill focusing on social and affordable housing provisions and commending the minister for her work.
“I commend the minister for her work on this very important bill.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Acknowledged the bill's objectives in expanding EDQ's role while criticising the government for the housing crisis and arguing only the LNP is committed to fixing it.
“It is only the Liberal National Party which is committed to fixing Labor's housing crisis because it is our priority to secure Queensland's housing foundations.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Proudly supported the bill emphasising the need for more homes faster across diverse communities.
“I rise to very proudly support the Economic Development and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Did not oppose the bill but criticised the government's broader approach to the housing crisis as lacking substance.
“I do not oppose the bill.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Supported the bill highlighting Queensland's population growth and the bipartisan committee recommendation to pass the bill, noting not even a dissenting report was filed.
“We had a bipartisan committee report that made one recommendation—that the bill be passed.”— 2024-06-11View Hansard
Amendments inserting new clauses 25A and 25B to replace sections 44 and 45 of the Economic Development Act, clarifying how pre-existing development applications and approvals under the Planning Act are handled when an area is declared a priority development area.
Amendment to clause 32 amending section 72 of the Economic Development Act with technical changes.
Plain English Summary
Overview
This bill reforms Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) to help address Queensland's housing supply shortage. It gives EDQ expanded powers to deliver social and affordable housing, creates new 'Place Renewal Areas' for coordinated urban renewal, grants compulsory land acquisition powers, and restructures EDQ as an independent statutory body with its own board and CEO.
Who it affects
Property developers in Priority Development Areas will face new requirements to provide affordable housing or pay contributions in lieu. Landowners in these areas may be subject to compulsory acquisition for infrastructure projects. People seeking affordable housing may benefit from increased supply.
Housing supply and affordability
Makes housing supply, diversity and affordability a core purpose of EDQ. Enables EDQ to impose conditions on development approvals requiring social or affordable housing, or accept payments in lieu that fund housing elsewhere in the local government area.
- Social and affordable housing added as a main purpose of the Economic Development Act
- Development approvals in Priority Development Areas can require affordable/social housing or payment in lieu
- EDQ can enter housing agreements with developers as alternative compliance pathways
- Payments in lieu must be used for housing in the same local government area
Place Renewal Areas
Creates a new framework for EDQ to declare Place Renewal Areas within Priority Development Areas and lead coordinated urban renewal through Place Renewal Frameworks that guide development and investment.
- EDQ can declare Place Renewal Areas where State interests are involved
- Place Renewal Frameworks set vision, objectives and implementation plans for renewal
- Frameworks must be considered when assessing development applications in the area
- EDQ can direct government entities and local councils to provide information and assistance
Compulsory land acquisition
Grants EDQ reserve powers to compulsorily acquire land for infrastructure benefiting Priority Development Areas or to implement Place Renewal Frameworks, with fair compensation under existing acquisition laws.
- EDQ gains power to compulsorily acquire land for PDA infrastructure as a last resort
- Land can also be acquired to implement Place Renewal Frameworks
- Acquisition follows existing Acquisition of Land Act processes with fair compensation
- Previous owners must be offered first right to repurchase if land not needed within 7 years
EDQ corporate restructure
Transforms EDQ from a departmental unit into a standalone statutory body with an independent board, appointed CEO, and separate employing office for staff while maintaining public sector employment conditions.
- Independent board established with government and non-government members
- CEO and executive officer positions created, appointed by Governor in Council
- EDQ employing office established as separate entity for staff employment
- Staff retain public sector terms, conditions and entitlements
- Board must prepare strategic and operational plans for Minister approval
Operational efficiency measures
Expands EDQ's operational powers including directions to water utilities, recovery of infrastructure charges, cost-recovery fees for services, and temporary planning instruments for emergencies.
- Directions powers extended to water distributor-retailers for infrastructure provision
- Infrastructure charges collected by councils before PDA declaration can be redirected to EDQ
- EDQ can charge fees for advisory services to support financial sustainability
- Temporary planning instruments can respond to emergencies for up to 2 years