The Crisafulli Government has today launched a landmark, nation-leading initiative to unlock underutilised government land and deliver more housing across Queensland.
The Land Activation Program (LAP) is a bold new approach that identifies, unlocks and fast-tracks surplus government-owned land for housing helping more Queenslanders find a place to call home.
For the first time, the private sector will be able to identify and register interest in underutilised government land, bringing new opportunities to market faster and cutting through years of delay and red tape.
The Crisafulli Government is backing this reform with a strong “use it or house it” policy. State land that is no longer required, or has no reasonable foreseeable operational use, will no longer sit vacant. Instead, it will be released and transformed into housing for Queenslanders who need it.
This marks a clear shift away from years of inaction that left valuable land idle while housing pressures continued to grow.
How it Works
A refocused Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) will be responsible for administering the Land Activation Program and driving outcomes.
Under LAP:
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The private sector can identify and register interest in underutilised government-owned land.
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EDQ will assess industry proposals using clear criteria to ensure sites are genuinely surplus and suitable for housing.
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EDQ will apply targeted enablers to fast-track development and bring land to market sooner.
Sites will qualify for LAP if:
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The land is no longer required for current or future operational purposes, or is not being used to its full potential.
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The owning department has no reasonable foreseeable operational use for the site.
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The site has the potential to deliver housing, including as part of a mixed-use development.
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EDQ has identified a land activation strategy using one or more of its development enablers.
The Land Activation Program supports the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to deliver one million new homes by 2044, ensuring more Queenslanders can access safe, affordable housing.
Unlike Labor—who left sites vacant during their decade of decline—this Government is getting on with the job of unlocking land supply, cutting red tape, accelerating approvals, and partnering with industry to deliver real results.
Queensland is open for business, and this reform sends a clear signal that housing delivery is a top priority.
For more information on the Land Activation Program, visit: https://www.edq.qld.gov.au/land-activation-program
