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Southern Thornlands
Key details
The Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area (PDA) was declared on 4 April 2025 and the Southern Thornlands PDA Interim Land Use Plan (ILUP) came into effect.
The Southern Thornlands PDA covers 890 hectares and will play an important role in addressing Redland City Local Government Area’s (LGA) future housing, infrastructure, and economic needs. Recognised as a priority future growth area in Shaping SEQ in 2023, this PDA supports the region’s future growth.
The Southern Thornlands PDA will:
- Provide around 8,000 new dwellings, offering housing choices to the community.
- Provide an integrated approach to infrastructure planning that includes transport, education, community facilities, stormwater management, and parks to ensure the community’s needs are met.
- Support economic growth by enabling a new employment area with business and industrial zones alongside activity centres to create local jobs.
- Establish wildlife corridors and protect and preserve koala habitat.
The Southern Thornlands PDA will deliver balanced and sustainable growth to build a thriving community for generations to come.
For information about upcoming engagement activities, please visit the Southern Thornlands PDA Have Your Say page.
Southern Thornlands PDA Interim Land Use Plan
The Southern Thornlands PDA ILUP is a temporary planning instrument which will regulate development in the area. It is in effect while detailed planning and community engagement is undertaken as part of the Development Scheme preparation process. A PDA Development Scheme comprises a vision, a land use plan, an infrastructure plan and an implementation strategy.
The ILUP includes two precincts:
- Precinct 1: Eastern Precinct – located east of Springacre Road. Precinct 1 provides for a residential neighbourhood supported by a mixed-use centre. Development applications may be lodged, assessed and decided while the ILUP is in effect.
- Precinct 2: Investigation Precinct – comprising the balance of the PDA. Development in Precinct 2 is restricted to interim or temporary uses until the PDA Development Scheme is finalised.
Development assessment
EDQ is responsible for assessing development proposed within the PDA. All PDA development applications will be assessed against the Southern Thornlands PDA ILUP, until the Development Scheme is finalised and takes effect. EDQ will also engage with Redland City Council during the development application process.
Infrastructure
Funding and building infrastructure is key to facilitating development within PDAs.  The ED Act authorises MEDQ to set and levy infrastructure charges within a PDA, with the Infrastructure Funding Framework (IFF) serving as the primary EDQ policy document concerning charges for Southern Thornlands PDA. As outlined in the IFF, the Southern Thornlands PDA refers to the relevant Local Government’s charging instrument to determine the calculation of these charges.