Powering Queensland’s housing pipeline through collaboration
Queensland’s housing supply is under pressure. Rapid population growth, urban expansion and strong demand for affordable and sustainable homes are intensifying the need to deliver more housing, faster.
Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) as the Queensland Government’s land use planning and property development agency, is leveraging a range of strategic levers to help meet this demand across the short and long term.Through Priority Development Areas (PDA) declarations, development assessment and targeted investment via Catalyst Infrastructure Funds, we’re supporting Queensland’s continued growth.
Accelerating housing supply across Queensland is a collective effort made possible through close collaboration with stakeholders. Recent milestones include the approval of 1,600 new homes within the Greater Flagstone Priority Development Area (PDA) and two 19-storey residential towers in the Maroochydore City Centre PDA, unlocking 251 new homes. These build on the late-2024 approval of 918 homes in Gagalba, a new precinct within Stockland’s Aura community on the Sunshine Coast.
In response to the Redland city's significant housing challenges, the Southern Thornlands PDA was declared in April 2025 to enable approximately 8,000 new dwellings to increase supply, with a focus on smaller and more affordable homes.
In August last year, EDQ announced the PDA declaration for the new city of Waraba in Moreton Bay, enabling the delivery of approximately 30,000 diverse homes, including social and affordable housing over the next 40 years.
A recent Catalyst Infrastructure Funds announcement will unlock 25,636 dwellings in the Greater Flagstone region and 9,100 homes in Ripley Valley.
All of these developments are in State Government-declared Priority Development Areas (PDAs) - areas of land in Queensland identified for development to deliver significant benefits to the community.
As these projects pave the way for Queensland’s future growth and sustainability, we are working to facilitate tailored planning and development solutions.
Pipeline housing projects driving immediate impact
Greater Flagstone -1600 homes
A major new neighbourhood has been approved within the Greater Flagstone Priority Development Area (PDA), unlocking land for more than 1,600 new homes and supporting around 4,500 future residents.
Delivered by national developer Peet, the new precinct forms part of the planned Flagstone development. Construction is expected to commence in August 2025, with first homes anticipated by mid-2026.
Maroochydore – 251 homes
Approval has been granted for two 19-storey residential towers in the Maroochydore City Centre PDA, making way for 251 new homes on the Sunshine Coast.
Delivered by Walker Corporation, construction commenced in May 2025. The development is designed with long-term liveability in mind, offering a mix of 1 to 4-bedroom apartments and townhouses, EV-ready parking, and integrated retail and dining space, including a supermarket.
Gagalba - 918 homes
In August 2024, EDQ granted the development application for this 74-hectare site within Stockland’s Aura community as part of the Caloundra South Priority Development Area (PDA).
The $270 million lakeside housing development is designed to meet the needs of first-home buyers, downsizers, and growing families. Alongside detached homes, the project is also exploring options for duplexes, triplexes, and multi-residential dwellings. Earthworks are already underway, setting the foundations for Gagalba to ultimately deliver around 6,000 homes.
Medium to long-term housing supply in the pipeline
Southern Thornlands – around 8,000 homes
The Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area (PDA), declared on 4 April 2025, is a strategic response to Redland City’s projected population growth - from 161,700 in 2021 to 211,500 by 2046.
Covering 890 hectares between Boundary Road, Mount Cotton Road and Eprapah Creek, the PDA is designed to fast-track housing and employment supply in a coordinated, partnership-led approach.
It will enable the delivery of approximately 8,000 new dwellings, with a strong focus on smaller, more affordable housing options aligned with local needs. This will help improve housing access in an area previously impacted by rising land costs.
The PDA will also unlock a major employment precinct to support business and industrial activity, leveraging proximity to arterial roads. This is expected to generate local jobs, attract private sector investment, and stimulate economic activity across the region.
Waraba - around 30,000 homes
The fledgling city of Waraba, formerly Caboolture West, was declared Queensland’s newest Priority Development Area (PDA) in August 2024.
Spanning around 2,900 hectares, Waraba is located in the City of Moreton Bay and will include the new suburbs of Lilywood, Corymbia and Wagtail Grove. The new city is bounded by the D’Aguilar Highway to the north, Caboolture River Road to the south and the low hills along Old North Road to the west.
The Waraba PDA will support housing for around 70,000 people, with plans for 30,000 new dwellings, including diverse, social and affordable housing options.
Greater Flagstone – over 25,000 homes
EDQ is unlocking approximately 40% of the Greater Flagstone Priority Development Area (PDA), enabling around 25,000 new housing lots, with 25% targeted at improving affordability of housing for key workers and first home buyers.
This milestone is being delivered in partnership with Frasers Property Australia, PIDC, PEET and Mirvac, supported by $76.2 million in funding from EDQ’s 2022 Catalyst Infrastructure Fund. It will fast-track essential infrastructure – like roads, rail, and water – supporting local jobs, accelerating development and helping deliver Queensland’s plan for one million new homes by 2044..
Ripley Valley – 9,100 homes
Two key infrastructure agreements have been executed in the Ripley Valley Priority Development Area (PDA) - one of the largest urban growth areas in Australia - supported by $27.5 million in loans from the Queensland Government. The aim is to enhance critical infrastructure in the region, which has the potential to accommodate up to 48,750 dwellings for a population of 131,000 people.
The first agreement with Ipswich City Council is worth $24 million and will fund a major upgrade to Ripley Road. The project includes extending the road to four lanes between Cunningham Highway and Monterea Road, unlocking around 4,600 new lots. The expansion is crucial for improving connectivity and supporting community growth.
The second agreement, valued at $3.5 million, involves developers Stockland and Moremac. It will fund essential trunk sewer works in the south-west precinct of the PDA, which is expected to unlock approximately 4,500 lots.
Innovation in planning and property development
EDQ is partnering with government, industry and the community to transform the state’s housing landscape for a rapidly growing population.
From the vibrant new city of Waraba to Southern Thornlands and the booming hubs of Caloundra South, Greater Flagstone and Ripley Valley, these Priority Development Areas will shape Queensland’s future, creating places where residents can live, work and thrive for generations to come.
Last updated: 27 June 2025
