"Raft of sweeping reforms" to come for planning laws in Queensland this year

Affordable housing, and a boost for employment, are the aims of new reforms from the Queensland government who are, once again, looking at planning law reforms.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney addressed the Queensland Planning Forum in Brisbane, promising that legislative changes would see the state's planning system rise to be the best in the country.

“Clearer, less complicated planning laws will help to kick-start the construction industry, boosting jobs and delivering more affordable housing for Queenslanders,” Seeney said.

“We have already introduced significant reforms in the planning space, such as the new State Planning Policy and one-stop-shop State Assessment and Referral Agency, but I think the best is still to come."

A "raft of sweeping reforms" to come to fruition this year was pointed to by Seeney, as he thanked the industry for their input.

“The changes will provide greater certainty for developers and greater confidence for councils, giving them the capability and discretion they need to make assessment applications," he said.

The Regional Planning Interests Bill is to be debated in Parliament, and the Planning for Queensland's Development Bill will be introduced in late-2014.

There is an aim for a simplification of the planning and development system, and a focus on economic growth.