The Queensland government has launched public consultation on its proposed Queensland Housing Code, aimed at simplifying and standardising residential housing rules across the state, Property Council reported.
Housing and Public Works Minister Sam O’Connor (pictured) announced the initiative at a recent Property Council breakfast, saying the government was now seeking feedback on the draft code.
“Consultation is now open on the proposed Queensland Housing Code,” O’Connor said.
The public consultation period for the Queensland Housing Code (QHC) will begin on July 19 and remain open for six weeks, closing at midnight on July 31.
“We want to know your thoughts about the technical requirements of the Queensland Housing Code, [and] potential benefits or outcomes the code could deliver,” the government said in its consultation materials.
“Your feedback will help refine the proposed Queensland Housing Code.”
The QHC aims to simplify housing approvals by establishing consistent design and siting standards for detached homes on single lots. These rules will apply statewide and cover areas such as:
“Design and siting standards support efficient land use and ensure both privacy and good amenity outcomes for residents,” the Queensland government said.
Detached houses make up around 70% of new residential builds in Queensland. However, the existing Queensland Development Code (QDC) standards for these homes—QDC Mandatory Part 1.1 and Part 1.2—haven’t been updated in more than a decade.
“Feedback from industry and the widespread adoption of alternative provisions by local governments suggests the QDC requirements are not fit for purpose, do not reflect modern housing design principles or facilitate housing diversity and choice,” the Queensland government said.
The QHC aims to streamline planning and building approval processes and reduce the need for councils and developers to seek exemptions from outdated provisions.
Updating the housing code is part of the government’s Building Regulation Reno initiative, designed to cut red tape and support its broader commitment to deliver 1 million new homes by 2044.
Replacing QDC 1.1 and 1.2 with the new Queensland Housing Code presents a key opportunity to:
The Property Council of Australia, which has long advocated for a statewide housing code, welcomed the announcement and said it looked forward to engaging in the consultation process.
“The Property Council looks forward to providing input on the draft code,” it said.
To help the public and industry understand the QHC proposal, the government has published a comparison table between the current QDC rules and the draft QHC. A webinar overview is also available to explain the changes and their intended benefits.
Queenslanders are encouraged to complete the survey and help shape the future of residential housing design and approvals in the state.
