The Crisafulli Government is delivering a fresh start for Far North Queensland, launching public consultation for the Draft Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2025 — a blueprint for the region’s growth, housing and infrastructure needs over the next two decades.
For too long, regional planning was dictated from Brisbane, leaving local councils and communities shut out of the process. That era is over. This new plan marks a genuine partnership between State and local government, ensuring the people who live and work in Far North Queensland have a real say in shaping its future.
Developed in collaboration with eight local councils — Cairns Regional Council, Cassowary Coast Regional Council, Douglas Shire Council, Etheridge Shire Council, Mareeba Shire Council, Tablelands Regional Council, Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council and Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council — the draft plan sets out how we’ll manage growth in a way that delivers the homes, jobs and infrastructure our communities need.
It’s part of the Crisafulli Government’s $31.3 million commitment to deliver 13 new regional plans across Queensland within four years.
The Far North Queensland Regional Plan 2025 provides a clear land-use framework through to 2046, setting a target of 48,485 additional homes, or about 1,940 new homes every year.
It includes the newly declared Mount Peter Priority Development Area (PDA), set to unlock up to 18,500 homes in Cairns’ southern suburbs by 2046 — helping meet housing demand and create thousands of local jobs.
The plan also supports:
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Stronger links between land-use and infrastructure, ensuring transport, schools and community facilities keep pace with growth.
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Economic development across key FNQ industries such as agriculture, tourism, defence, marine and aerospace.
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Upgrades to transport and freight corridors to improve connectivity and resilience.
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Better planning for energy, water, digital and social infrastructure to meet future demand.
For the first time, the regional plan is backed by a dedicated infrastructure plan, aligning housing and growth with the services and investment needed to support it.
This plan reflects what happens when State and local government work together – genuine collaboration that puts the interests of Far North Queensland first.
I want to thank Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie for his leadership in bringing this plan forward and for championing a renewed focus on regional planning that listens. I also extend my thanks to the eight local councils who have played a central role in shaping the draft plan, ensuring it reflects the unique needs and opportunities of every part of the region.
This collaborative approach is a fresh one, one that values local knowledge and delivers practical, long-term benefits for our communities. After years of neglect under the previous government, the Crisafulli Government is rebuilding trust and delivering the tools regional Queensland needs to grow with confidence. This new partnership gives councils, industry and residents the certainty they need to plan for the future.
With the population in the Far North expected to grow to around 380,000 people by 2046, now is the time for locals to have their say. Public consultation for the draft plan and the supporting FNQ Infrastructure Plan 2025 is open until 5 January 2026.
You can review the draft plan and provide feedback at www.qld.gov.au/fnqregionalplan.
Together with local councils and communities, we’re ensuring growth supports our lifestyle, protects what makes this region special, and delivers the housing, jobs and infrastructure we need for generations to come.
