The Queensland Government has introduced the State facilitated development (SFD) process to support the deliverables of the Housing for Queenslanders initiative, which aims to deliver an additional one million homes by 2046.
To ensure the new pathway is effective, the government has established a State Facilitated Development Team (SFD team) to accelerate planning and development processes, as well as assisting to resolve development and infrastructure issues delaying new homes.
What is State facilitated development?
State facilitated development refers to a new streamlined development assessment pathway that falls under the Housing Availability and Affordability (Planning and Other Legislation Amendment) Bill 2023.
To be suitable for SFD, a development application must aim to deliver development that is a priority to the State, such as affordable and social housing.
The types of development applications considered for SFD include an existing development or change application, or a new proposed development or proposed change application defined by the Planning Act 2016 (Planning Act).
Therefore, most standard development application requirements still apply under the process, however, timeframes for approval will be specific to the SFD process and outlined in the Development Assessment (DA Rules).
Local governments and State agencies will play a key role under the pathway, by contributing technical advice to ensure the assessment of a development application for SFD incorporates the priorities of the State and local government.
How does the process work?
The SFD process consists of two key stages, the declaration stage (by the Planning Minister) and the assessment stage (by the Chief Executive). The two stages are split into three parts:
- Stage 1A: Preliminary stakeholder engagement and pre-application advice.
- Stage 1B: The Planning Minister’s declaration.
- Stage 2: The assessment of the development application for SFD by the Chief Executive.
Source: Graph adapted from DHLGPPW.
Source: Graph adapted from DHLGPPW.
What type of development does this assessment pathway support?
The main aim of the assessment pathway is to effectively increase housing supply and deliver housing in the areas where it is required most.
This includes predominantly residential development that provide a combination of market housing with some affordable housing product along with some other compatible residential uses.
The Expression of Interest process
The Expression of Interest (EOI) process is now open for projects looking to undergo the new streamlined SFD approval pathway, with applications closing on 14 May 2024.
You can submit an Expression of Interest for the SFD team to assess your proposal’s eligibility under the new pathway here.
How can Barker Ryan Stewart assist?
For further information on how the SFD process may impact your current or future development in Queensland, please don’t hesitate to contact our QLD Planning Manager, Nicole Webb at nicolew@brs.com.au or on 07 5582 6555.
