Changes to Emergency
Housing Regulations
Recent changes to ‘Emergency Housing Regulations & Infrastructure’ under the Queensland Government Planning Framework will help address the issues with housing affordability and supply. The Planning Regulation was amended and took effect on 21 October 2022.
What does this mean?
Due to these revisions, the State or a local government can provide emergency housing in response to an occurrence (as defined by the Disaster Management Act 2003) without first obtaining development assessment clearance for a major change of use. Additionally, it permits the creation of social and affordable housing by a community housing provider or as part of a State-funded programme utilising the infrastructure designation pathway.
The changes do not eliminate the need to secure any additional necessary permissions, such as the need to secure construction approvals or adhere to other legal standards, such as those relating to fire safety.
Homelessness
The wait list has been the highest ever seen, exhausting their 12 monthly funded target in just six months. The report also shows that almost 44% of low income households who are privately renting were at risk of being pushed into homelessness last financial year.
The Federal Government will soon begin consultation on a 10-year national housing and homelessness plan to deal with Australia’s chronic housing challenges as reported on WIN News - January 31st 2023.
Emergency housing can only be provided by the State or a Local Government.
What Defines Emergency Housing?
The following is an extract published on the current Queensland Government Planning Framework website as of 14.02.2023.
Emergency housing is temporary accommodation for communities that have been affected by an event as defined by the Disaster Management Act 2003. This includes natural events such as a cyclone, flood and storm.
Emergency housing may be located in existing buildings, or it may be new buildings such as demountable buildings.
Emergency housing can only be provided by the State or a local government. It may be located on State or local government land or privately owned land. The owner of the land must still provide their consent for the land to be used for emergency housing.
