To address the housing crisis in Queensland, the state government should incentivise the delivery of “build to rent” housing, according to a property industry advocate.
Recent research from the Property Council of Australia, titled A home for every Queenslander, projected that around 220,000 people will move to Queensland over the next five years.
“This fresh research shows that while Queensland experienced a huge influx of interstate migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic, there are potentially many more to come,” said Jen Williams, the council’s Queensland executive director. “We need a plan to prepare, not only to protect our enviable lifestyle, but also ensure we have the infrastructure and housing supply to support the population growth.”
The Property Council proposed stimulating the build-to-rent sector to increase the supply of rental accommodation, and at the same time support the construction industry, attract interstate investment, and generate local jobs.
The council also wanted the Queensland government to be bold in taking action when it comes to educating the community about growth management, empowering and resourcing Economic Development Queensland and the government’s growth areas team, and undertaking systemic changes to planning processes.
“The time is right to bring together experts across industry, government, and community sectors, to kickstart a bold reform agenda that will turbocharge the delivery of new housing across the state,” Williams said. “Queensland has a golden decade of opportunity ahead. The Property Council looks forward to working with stakeholders across the housing continuum, to ensure that all Queenslanders have a place to call home.”
