As mentioned in our March 2025 Noosa 360 update, Sandy asked a Question on Notice (QON) in Parliament on whether the Government will review and revise the State Facilitated Development (SFD) legislation and regulations including the definitions for ‘affordability’ to deliver outcomes in line with community needs. Due to no commitment located in the Deputy Premier’s response to the QON and considering the confusion caused by use of the word ‘affordable’ in SFD applications due to inadequate definitions, Sandy wrote in response outlining that whilst we understand and appreciate the amendments already passed in November 2024, applications going forward would deliver greater clarity with a refined and improved affordability definition in line with what the banks will actually loan to our working singles and families in Queensland, which as presented to our office is in the range of $450,000 to $500,000.
The Deputy Premier has now provided the following in italics, which outlines that the SFD program has been paused for the foreseeable future.
As you are already aware, amendments were made to the Planning Act 2016 (Planning Act) and the Planning and Environment Court Act 2016 on 28 November 2024. These amendments introduced operational improvements, clarifying existing powers in my capacity as the Planning Minister to revoke or amend an SFD declaration.
On 17 April 2025, I revoked the Tewantin SFD declaration due to several matters, including inconsistencies with the Noosa planning scheme and community concerns about the proposed development. I can advise that the SFD program has been paused for the foreseeable future and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning (the Department) will continue to assess the remaining applications.
As the above response mentions, the department are continuing to assess the remaining applications, which can be viewed at www.planning.qld.gov.au/planning-framework/development-assessment/state-facilitated-development including the one located at Noosa Junction.
Sandy will continue to monitor this and welcomes any feedback on the above information from Noosa electorate residents via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au.
Further information
For all Sandy’s previous Noosa 360 updates on the SFDs, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=State+Facilitated+Development.
For Sandy’s latest housing updates, please visit www.sandybolton.com/?s=Housing.
To contact the relevant Minister, email deputy.premier@ministerial.qld.gov.au. Please copy our office in via noosa@parliament.qld.gov.au and forward us any response that you receive.