Housing Solutions Fast-Tracked: Livingstone Shire Council Steps Up
Livingstone Shire Council is taking bold steps to support long-term housing supply, following the Queensland Government’s approval of a new Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) to unlock growth in key areas across the Shire.
Mayor Adam Belot said the TLPI is designed to remove barriers and streamline development approvals, paving the way for new homes to be built in targeted areas over the next generation as market demand increases.
“Our Council is getting on with the job of delivering more housing for our Shire in a way that supports sustainable, sensible growth,” Mayor Belot said.
“A home is more than just four walls and a roof - it’s the foundation for a good job, a good education, and a better future.
“Right now, too many families are struggling to find a place to live. That’s simply not good enough - and I’m focused on delivering more opportunities for locals, for the mums and dads working hard to build a good life here.
“This TLPI offers a practical, targeted solution to unlock additional land in the short term, all while protecting the integrity of our long-term planning framework.
While the TLPI will help accelerate the delivery of new housing, all developments will still need to comply with Queensland’s environmental legislation.
“This isn’t about lowering standards,” Mayor Belot said. “All developments must continue to meet rigorous environmental and community safeguards — from protecting biodiversity and water quality to preserving our natural and cultural heritage.”
The TLPI will rezone land in three priority areas - Hidden Valley, Kinka Beach, and Emu Park - enabling a pipeline of new homes, commercial activity, and critical green spaces to be delivered over time, in response to market conditions and infrastructure readiness.
“These areas have been selected based on their planning suitability, access to existing and planned infrastructure, and their environmental and development-readiness profiles,” Mayor Belot explained.
The plan will deliver a mix of lot sizes down to 450m² like in Taranganba, to meet the needs of a wide range of residents, from retirees to young families.
“Ensuring our infrastructure keeps up with this growth is a priority, and Council is committed to doing just that. But there’s another side to this: every new property adds to our rate base, which in turn strengthens Council’s financial position and ability to reinvest locally,” Mayor Belot added.
“What many people may not realise is that building approvals have been declining sharply - not due to a lack of demand, but because very little land is actually available on the market. As a result, prices are rising fast, and homeownership is becoming increasingly out of reach for locals.
“Unlocking new homes in the right locations not only relieves that pressure, but it also helps us avoid overburdening areas like Tanby Road and the Scenic Highway. And with the completion of the East West Connector, we’ll also see major relief for traffic congestion which is quickly becoming a challenge for many motorists.”
Member for Keppel Nigel Hutton reiterated his Government’s commitment to helping more Queenslanders realise their dream of owning their own home.
“The TLPI will assist Livingstone Shire Council in planning and delivering more land for housing across the Livingstone Shire,” Mr Hutton said.
“The housing crisis has affected people right across the state and the Crisafulli Queensland Government is determined to reduce red tape to tackle the challenge of securing our housing foundations.
“We are working with local Councils to open more housing opportunities to ease the burden on our communities and ensure more people have the safety and security of a roof over their heads.”
In addition to the TLPI, Council has taken a major step towards unlocking new housing and infrastructure opportunities, submitting a $25 million grant application under the Queensland Government’s Residential Activation Fund (RAF) for Stage 1 of the East West Connector, which is planned to go through the Hidden Valley TLPI area.
Endorsed as a State Election Priority Project in July 2024, the East West Connector is a transformational infrastructure initiative designed to unlock access to new residential lots in the Hidden Valley precinct, helping to address the region’s growing demand for housing.
The grant application follows months of detailed project planning, design, modelling, budgeting, and engagement with key stakeholders, including local developers and landowners.
Deputy Mayor Pat Eastwood, Co- Chair of Council’s Infrastructure Standing Committee, reaffirmed Council’s strong commitment to addressing the housing challenge while balancing the needs of the community.
“If we want to support local businesses, tradies and the economy, we need to build more homes - it’s that simple” Cr Eastwood said.
“We have development-ready land, community support, and developers who are eager to begin. With this grant and TLPI, we can unlock this land far sooner than otherwise possible and ensure that the supporting infrastructure is delivered up front.
“We will continue to work closely with all levels of Government, and the community, to ensure we deliver sensible and sustainable housing supply”.
Council has also recently endorsed the Livingstone Shire Council Local Housing Action Plan 2025-28 which outlines actions for all levels of government to work towards increasing housing delivery, diversity and affordability locally.