Economic Development Queensland is leading the delivery of the Infrastructure Activation Fund, a joint initiative between the Queensland and Australian Governments to fast-track homes in key growth areas across Queensland.
The fund will unlock development-ready land by investing $2.4 billion over five years in catalyst infrastructure, including roads, water and wastewater-related projects.
The initiative will fast-track homes for over 120,000 Queenslanders and unlock more than 51,000 new homes across Southern Thornlands, Waraba and Mount Peter Priority Development Areas, as well as other key growth areas. Of these, 20,547 homes will assist first home buyers.
The Infrastructure Activation Fund (IAF) is part of the Australian Government’s Homes for Australia Plan and is being delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government to unlock more homes and help more Queenslanders find a place to call home.
I’m looking to partner to accelerate catalyst infrastructure and deliver more places to call home
Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) is looking to partner with developers, local governments and infrastructure providers to help fast-track homes across Southern Thornlands, Waraba and Mount Peter Priority Development Areas (PDAs), as well as other new growth areas in PDAs.
IAF funding is available for critical infrastructure projects that remove barriers to residential development and accelerate housing supply. Funding is targeted towards infrastructure where its absence is a significant constraint to unlocking land for housing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Infrastructure Activation Fund?
The Infrastructure Activation Fund (IAF) is a joint $2.4 billion initiative between the Queensland and Australian Governments, led by EDQ. The Infrastructure Activation Fund will accelerate major catalyst infrastructure projects, such as water, roads and sewer-related infrastructure projects.
Why is EDQ leading this on behalf of the Queensland Government?
EDQ will lead the initiative on behalf of the Queensland Government given its expertise in overcoming complex development and planning challenges, partnering with industry and government, and its unique planning powers.
The initiative will also fast-track homes and catalyst infrastructure delivery within Priority Development Areas (PDAs) – something EDQ is already leading as part of the Queensland Government’s expanding PDA program.
How is this linked to the Australian Government’s 100,000 Homes Program?
The Australian Government contribution towards the Infrastructure Activation Fund comes from the Australian Government’s $10 billion plan to build 100,000 new homes nationally and make them easier to access for first home buyers.
How is this different to the Queensland Government’s Residential Activation Fund (RAF)?
This Infrastructure Activation Fund is specifically targeted at the Southern Thornlands, Waraba and Mount Peter PDAs. The Infrastructure Activation Fund is focused on accelerating housing delivery over and above projects currently planned and supported through RAF.
How much is being invested and where?
The Queensland and Australian Government’s will each invest $399 million each in grants towards catalyst infrastructure within the Southern Thornlands, Waraba and Mount Peter Priority Development Areas (PDAs), as well as within other priority growth areas across Queensland.
The Queensland Government will also provide Australian Government-backed zero interest loans to industry, councils and utility providers to support eligible catalyst infrastructure projects.
The zero interest loans total nearly $1.6 billion, with further details on how to apply and eligibility criteria are available via the Smarty Grants portal.
What type of infrastructure will the funding support?
Funding will support major catalyst infrastructure, including:
- Water and wastewater infrastructure
- Major roads and transport connections
- Other enabling infrastructure required to unlock development fronts.
When does the funding have to be spent?
EDQ will expend the funding by FY 2030/31 and homes are to be delivered over eight years up to FY 2033/34.
When will infrastructure be delivered?
Infrastructure and the homes it unlocks are expected to be delivered within eight years, with funding invested over the next five years.
How many homes will this unlock and for who?
The investment will realise a major program of works to deliver catalyst infrastructure to unlock or accelerate development-ready sites for approximately 51,368 homes, such as water, sewer and road infrastructure projects. Over 20,500 of these homes will support first home buyers. The initiative is aimed at delivering more places to call home for Queenslanders.
What areas will benefit from the funding?
Initial funding has been allocated to the Southern Thornlands, Waraba and Mount Peter PDAs. Additional funding will support infrastructure in other growth areas across Queensland with a focus on PDAs, Provisional Priority Development Areas and other EDQ led projects.
How are homes prioritised for first home buyers?
Participating developers will enter agreements with EDQ to support a percentage of homes to be reserved for first home buyers for a minimum of three months after release. EDQ will monitor and report on outcomes.
How does this funding support the differing PDAs?
The Infrastructure Activation Fund provides targeted investment to unlock key infrastructure required to support housing delivery within the PDA, helping to accelerate development timelines.
Does this change the existing PDA planning framework?
No. Existing PDA planning frameworks and development assessment processes remain in place. The funding focuses on infrastructure delivery, not land use changes.
Exactly what projects will the funding deliver?
EDQ will develop a five-year program in partnership with local Priority Development Area (PDA) Councils, industry and utility providers. This includes entering into funding agreements with key infrastructure delivery stakeholders for accelerated delivery of projects in line with key infrastructure projects already identified across the three PDAs.
Further details will become available in the future regarding these initial projects.