When we talk about housing diversity, we are referring to a range of different housing ‘types’ such as townhouses, micro lots, triplexes, medium density (up to 3 storeys) in addition to standalone houses (or detached dwellings).

In Queensland, detached dwellings are the most common type of housing. When communities support diverse housing developments, this can make a huge difference to the housing options available to community members now and in the future. Not everyone wants to live the same way and preferences can change over time depending on personal circumstances or lifestyle choices. This may be adult children living independently, couples starting a family, relocation due to career opportunities, and retirement.

Planning for the region can accommodate these changes by enabling new models of living, services and lifestyle, including inter-generational living and the ability to age in place.

The term ‘housing affordability’ usually refers to the relationship between expenditure on housing (prices, mortgage payments or rents) and household incomes. A common measure of rental stress is to look at the proportion of lower income households paying more than 30% of their income on housing costs. The Australian Bureau of Statistics and various housing industry associations publish ratio measures.

Residual measures are often used by researchers and academics which explore the capacity of a household to maintain an acceptable standard of living after housing costs.

The concept of ‘housing affordability’ is different to the concept of ‘affordable housing’, which refers to low-income or social housing.

Communities which offer greater housing diversity increase supply, affordability, and opportunities for people to find homes that meet their needs and budgets in the communities they know and love.

Social housing provides safe, secure, and sustainable homes to some of the most vulnerable people in Queensland, and also includes ‘public’ or ‘community’ housing.

1. Public housing is long-term housing managed by the Queensland Government.
2. Community housing is managed by non-government or community organisations, or local governments.
3. Social housing is for eligible people who are in the highest need of housing assistance.

Regional plans are strategic documents that guide land use planning across multiple councils to support economic growth, development and liveable communities while protecting natural resources. They set the direction and long-term vision for how each of Queensland’s 13 regions will grow and respond to change over time. Each local government must take these regional plans into consideration when preparing their local planning schemes.

The community and industry can get involved when the state government is preparing a new plan or amending an existing regional plan.

In Queensland, planning is a joint effort between 77 councils and the Queensland Government. The Department of State Development, Infrastructure, and Planning is the custodian of the overarching planning framework to ensure state and local interests are integrated into planning schemes to guide and shape the future of our communities.

Every local government in Queensland prepares a local planning scheme to provide residents, businesses, and governments with a shared vision for the community to manage growth and change. It regulates what new development should occur and how.

Community members can access their local planning scheme to find out what sort of development they can expect to see in their local area and have an opportunity to provide feedback or comment on proposed changes.

A common misconception during community consultation is that only those who oppose a plan should provide feedback however submissions of support are also encouraged. All feedback is carefully considered and contributes to the development of the final plan.

Find out more about local planning schemes or visit your local government’s website to view their local planning scheme.

State and local planning aim to make towns and cities more sustainable by encouraging development in existing urban areas (consolidation) rather than expanding urban areas out onto undeveloped land (expansion). By developing in existing urban areas, existing infrastructure can support travel and access to services.

Every piece of land in Queensland is included in a zone which allocates land for different uses. There are zones for residential, commercial and industrial development, for community facilities and services, for rural activities, and covering natural and recreation areas. Knowing your zone can help guide future property purchase or inform existing owners on what they can do with their land and consider future plans.

Find out more about different types of zones or view your local government’s planning scheme for more detailed information in the area you live.

Urban density reflects the number of people living in an area and influences how the area functions. Focusing increased densities in and around locations that have good access to high-frequency public transport, employment and services will create communities that are well-planned and use land efficiently.

Check out the State Government’s fact sheets to see different examples of density in residential zones.

• Low density
• Low-medium density
• Medium density
• High density