Page 22 - Tropic Magazine Issue 38

TROPIC • HOUSING

Future planning

HOUSING
As the Queensland Government
holds a summit into the
housing crisis, it’s being urged
to adopt incentives for ‘build to
rent’ investment.

Words: Renee Cluff
Australia’s leading advocate for the
property industry is warning of a
continued influx of migration into
Queensland and has put forward a set of “Bold decisions must be made right now.”
recommendations to cope with the need Among its recommendations, the
for more housing. Property Council is proposing that
Research commissioned by the Property the State Government incentivise the
Council of Australia has revealed delivery of ‘build-to-rent’ housing to
220,000 people - a population the size of quickly increase the supply of rental
Townsville and Gladstone combined - are accommodation. It wants land tax
seeking to leave the southern states and discounts, surcharges for foreign
head north to Queensland in the next ownership scrapped, and incentives for
five years. The Council’s Queensland more horizontal rental properties such
Executive Director, Jen Williams, said as duplexes and townhouses.
planning for more population growth “The time is right to bring together Did you know…
is vital. “This fresh research shows that experts across industry, government and In NSW, Vic and WA eligible
while Queensland experienced a huge community sectors, to kickstart a bold build-to-rent projects receive
influx of interstate migrants during the reform agenda that will turbocharge the a 50% land tax discount for
COVID-19 pandemic, there are potentially delivery of new housing across the state,” 20-30 years, and exemption
many more to come,” she said. “What this Ms Williams said. from foreign tax surcharges.
means, is we need a plan to prepare, not Other recommendations include
only to protect our enviable lifestyle, but educating the public about ‘good Source: Property Council of Australia
also ensure we have the infrastructure development’, legislative changes to
and housing supply to support the fast-track growth and the development
population growth. Queensland is at a of a process for identifying new areas for Queensland’s Housing Summit promises
precipice when it comes to housing. inclusion in the urban footprint. to address critical issues including
unlocking land and housing supply, fast
tracking social housing and the need for
collaboration on housing by all levels of
Queensland’s population government and the private sector.
“I fully understand this is a tough time
grew by almost 750,000 for many Queenslanders,” said Premier
between 2011 and 2021. Annastacia Palaszczuk. “All levels of
government have a role to play.”
1 in 20 people from Sydney The Property Council is among those
& Melbourne are ‘definitely’ invited to have a say. It will also hear from
or ‘probably’ looking to move other key non-government stakeholders
interstate in the next five years. including QShelter, QCOSS, the REIQ,
Almost two thirds of those plan Master Builders and the Planning
to make Queensland their new Institute of Australia.
home, 62% of whom want to
live near a beach.

Source: Property Council of Australia MORE: propertycouncil.com.au

22 • Tropic • Issue 38