Planning reform

The department is modernising the planning and development system to ensure that Queensland, Australia's fastest growing state, continues to deliver the lifestyle for which it is famous.

As part of delivering a contemporary planning and development system the Department has commenced implementing the 80 recommendations from the report, "Planning for a Prosperous Queensland - A reform agenda for planning and development in the Smart State". A critical part of the reform will be new planning legislation that will become operational in late 2008.

The department developed the report in partnership with stakeholders, industry and the community and conducted an extensive review of the Integrated Planning Act 1997 (IPA) and Integrated Development Assessment System (IDAS).

Reform agenda aims

The aim of the reform agenda is to move the focus from the planning process to the delivery of sustainable outcomes. These outcomes will be delivered by:

  • new planning legislation introducing improved tools for state and local government to manage planning and development proactively
  • reduced complexity through greater standardisation
  • adopting a risk-based approach to development assessment
  • streamlined dispute resolution processes
  • encouraging active community participation in the planning and development assessment system.

As Australia’s fastest-growing state, Queensland needs a contemporary system of planning and development assessment that continues to deliver the lifestyle for which it is famous.

As part of delivering this contemporary system of planning and development assessment, the Department, in partnership with stakeholders, industry and the community, has conducted an extensive review of IPA and IDAS.  This review has resulted in the Queensland Government commencing the reform agenda detailed in the report "Planning for a Prosperous Queensland: A reform agenda for planning and development in the Smart State".

Download the report or the related highlights document:

Key drivers for reform

Some of the key drivers for the reform of Queensland’s planning and development system are its booming population and the decline in housing affordability.

Growth in Queensland

Queensland is likely to have approximately 2.4 million households by 2026 – an increase of more than one million households from 2001. The rate of household growth will actually exceed the population growth rate, as current trends indicate most future households will contain one or two people. This unprecedented growth needs to be accommodated in balance with our existing high quality of neighbourhoods in which we live, the beautiful and pristine environments in which we play and the dynamic and prosperous economy in which we work.

Further information

For further information in relation to the reform agenda contact the Planning Group.