Queensland Deputy Premier Asked Developers to Remove Affordable Housing from Applications
Queensland's Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie wrote to developers requesting they remove affordable housing components from building applications, citing improved housing supply as justification. This occurred months after the state government changed planning laws to eliminate mandatory affordable housing requirements for developers. The move has drawn criticism from opposition leaders and housing advocates who argue it contradicts efforts to address housing affordability.
Queensland Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Jarrod Bleijie sent letters to at least two major developers in May 2026 requesting they remove affordable housing from their applications. The Lamington Markets project in Lutwyche originally included affordable units among 240 dwellings, while the Lakesview development in Robina was planned with 550 affordable homes out of 2,750 total. Bleijie's requests came after the state government removed the 15 percent affordable housing requirement from its State Facilitated Development legislation earlier in 2026. Opposition Leader Steven Miles characterized the requests as an abuse of power, while housing advocates and the Queensland Council of Social Services expressed concern that the government was moving in the wrong direction on affordability. Bleijie defended the approach by stating "availability equals affordability" and citing other housing initiatives, though he did not directly address the letters.
What's missing
The article does not provide the government's detailed rationale for why removing affordable housing requirements would improve overall housing supply, nor does it include independent analysis of whether this policy approach is likely to achieve stated affordability goals.
What different sources said
- Sydney Morning HeraldCenter
Deputy premier tells developers to remove affordable housing from applications
- ABC AustraliaCenter
Gold Coast mayor questions axing of more than 500 affordable homes
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