At EDQ, we’re making significant changes to how we assess and support development in Queensland in response to Queensland’s housing shortfall.
Change was needed to deliver homes faster at a lower cost and reduce red tape, and these improvements are part of a long-term transformation program driven by industry feedback.
Here’s what’s different – and how it benefits you.
What’s new?
Our former Efficient Infrastructure Planning and Delivery team has been restructured into a new division: Development Services . This is supported by three major service improvements:
- A new online Development Assessment Customer Portal – enabling customers to lodge and track applications online in real time.
- A faster, integrated and more responsive development assessment process – reducing turnaround times so projects can progress at pace.
- An improved pre-lodgement service – still free, providing certainty and clarity upfront.
One team, five focused functions
Development Services is now structured around five core divisions, each with clear accountability and transparency. Dedicated Directors for each Priority Development Area (PDA) ensure senior oversight and rapid issue resolution.
1. New Growth
Supports early-stage and emerging Priority Development Areas, like newly declared Waraba, Mount Peter and Southern Thornlands. This team leads strategic planning, development scheme preparation, and development assessment for new growth. It also manages relationships with councils, peak bodies, and state/federal agencies.
2. Established Growth
Manages active PDAs already in delivery, such as Ripley Valley and Greater Flagstone. Handles development assessment, engineering, compliance, and PDA revocation processes. Works closely with major developers to keep projects moving.
3. Partner Growth
Planned to work with major landowners and developers on large-scale, long-term partnerships. This team will support complex, long-term projects that require bespoke and commercial solutions.
Each of these customer-facing teams is responsible for the full PDA lifecycle, with planners and engineers working together in integrated teams. This means fewer handovers and faster decisions, aligning service delivery to the type of project or customer.
4. Specialist Services
Provides technical expertise and infrastructure support across all streams:
- Specialist advisory – technical advice, quality assurance, escalation point for risks
- Infrastructure implementation/investment – financial modelling, infrastructure charges, offsets, infrastructure agreements and funding agreements
- Post-approvals – plan sealing, auditing and CPM.
5. Program and Performance
Improves how we work and how we serve you. This team leads:
- Business systems and performance reporting
- Customer service and engagement
- Continuous improvement and change management
- Administrative and operational support
Why it matters
- Less red tape and faster approvals
- Clear accountability and transparency through KPI reporting and the DA Report Card
- Better coordination with teams aligned to your project type
- Improved certainty with pre-lodgement advice and real-time tracking
Together with the new online portal, these improvements make it easier for industry to deliver homes at pace and scale for Queenslanders.
Why we did this
Industry told us loud and clear: approvals need to be faster, processes simpler, and support more responsive. We’ve listened – and acted.
We know the best solutions come from working together. That’s why we’re committed to open and ongoing engagement with industry – so we can keep improving processes, reducing complexity, and supporting faster, more cost-effective housing delivery.
Next year we will be introducing additional service enhancements and supporting better integrated planning and decision-making with councils, utilities and other state agencies.
