- The Crisafulli Government has launched public consultation on its draft State Planning Policy to help ease Labor’s Housing Crisis.
- Refreshed planning framework will unlock land and deliver consistency and clarity, including natural hazard management and flood mapping.
- Queensland’s State Planning Policy hasn’t been updated since the start of Labor’s decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government will deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders through a refreshed planning framework that will unlock land and remove barriers as well as provide certainty and a commonsense approach to development, including management and assessment of natural hazards.
The Crisafulli Government is inviting Queenslanders to have their say on a new draft State Planning Policy – an updated blueprint to deliver a place to call home for more Queenslanders and ensure landholder rights are protected.
The State Planning Policy is a key part of Queensland’s planning framework, setting out the Crisafulli Government’s priorities in land use planning and development and guiding the preparation and application of local planning instruments across the state.
Queensland’s State Planning Policy hasn’t been updated since 2017 – around the start of Labor’s decade of decline – and the Crisafulli Government is updating it to ensure it remains fit for purpose and responds to Queensland’s future needs.
A revised framework is proposed to support housing delivery, economic growth and infrastructure investment, while improving the clarity, usability, and efficiency of the planning system.
Additionally, the Crisafulli Government is also consulting on ways to better manage and assess natural hazards in Queensland’s planning framework, applying a risk-based, commonsense approach to development, and not one that avoids it altogether.
The current flood mapping system has a range of different technical inputs, without any statewide consistency meaning that the same catchment can have different flood maps in one of Australia’s most disaster-prone states. This leads to significant confusion and inconsistency, impacting the property rights of landholders and insurance premiums as well.
A separate discussion paper has been released and communities now have an opportunity to be have their say.
The draft State Planning Policy proposes other key changes, including:
- Six strategic aspirations to guide planning outcomes and help balance competing state interests – build housing and strong communities, drive connected and productive regions, deliver responsive infrastructure, promote efficient land use, support existing economic drivers, attract emerging industries.
- A revised structure designed to make the State Planning Policy easier to navigate, understand and apply.
- A new Environment, Heritage and Efficient Growth state interest.
- Updated and streamlined state interests, including new policies and revised interests.
- Consultation is open until 26 October 2026, with feedback welcomed from local government, industry, community organisations and interested Queenslanders.
Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie said feedback from councils, industry, community organisations and Queenslanders would help shape the future direction of planning across the state.
“Queensland is growing rapidly, and our planning framework needs to support the homes, infrastructure and economic opportunities to help ease Labor’s Housing Crisis,” Deputy Premier Bleijie said.
“A stronger, more commonsense planning framework will help support housing delivery while ensuring growth is well planned and backed by the infrastructure communities rely on.
“We also know the state’s current flood mapping methodology and guidance is causing more confusion than clarity, and it’s affecting everything from people’s property rights to insurance premiums.
“This draft State Planning Policy sets out a long-term vision for how Queensland grows, while balancing housing delivery, economic development, environmental outcomes and infrastructure planning.
“As the first comprehensive review of the State Planning Policy after a decade of decline under Labor, the Crisafulli Government is delivering the fresh start we promised Queenslanders, and we’re inviting them to have their say on the proposed changes.”
Local Government Association of Queensland chief executive officer Alison Smith said the LGAQ and Queensland councils welcome the opportunity to engage with the State Government on the draft State Planning Policy.
“It’s important to get the balance right and local government supports an effective planning system guided by appropriate legislation and balanced social, environmental, cultural and economic interests,” Ms Smith said.
“Councils have also been advocating for greater support in natural hazard planning and mapping, so we look forward to the State working with councils as this review progresses.”
Property Council Queensland Executive Director Jess Caire said the draft policy was a welcomed opportunity to provide greater clarity and consistency across Queensland’s planning framework.
“We strongly welcome the retention of natural hazards as a State interest, following consistent industry feedback on the need for clearer and more practical guidance across Queensland’s framework,” Ms Caire said.
“Queensland’s planning system must support housing delivery, economic growth and infrastructure investment, while giving the industry the certainty needed to plan for the future.”
Urban Development Institute of Australia Queensland CEO Kirsty Chessher-Brown said
“Certainty and consistency are paramount when embarking on a new project,” Ms Chessher-Brown said.
“The review of the State Planning Policy and approach to natural hazard management provides an opportunity to ensure these key aspects of the planning framework are fit for purpose, providing clarity and consistency to invest in the delivery of homes and jobs for Queenslanders.”
To view the plan and provide feedback, visit https://www.planning.qld.gov.au/planning-framework/plan-making/state-planning/state-planning-policy
