The Queensland Government has approved the next round of funding from its $12.5 million Scheme Supply Fund, supporting nine regional councils to modernise their planning schemes and unlock new housing opportunities.

The $1.4 million package, announced by Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jarrod Bleijie, aims to “reset the planning partnership with local government” and deliver more homes faster, particularly in regional communities that have been hit hardest by supply shortages and affordability pressures.

The councils to receive funding under this latest round include:

• Balonne Shire Council
• Goondiwindi Regional Council
• Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council
• Paroo Shire Council
• Cassowary Coast Regional Council
• Livingstone Shire Council
• Lockyer Valley Regional Council
• Mareeba Regional Council
• Somerset Regional Council

This brings total allocations from the Scheme Supply Fund to $9.6 million, with further rounds still to come.

Resetting the Partnership

For years, regional councils have called for greater support and flexibility in how planning schemes are developed and implemented, particularly as housing targets and infrastructure costs continue to rise.

Minister Bleijie said the new round of funding marked another step in the Crisafulli Government’s plan to deliver “a fresh start for Queenslanders.”

“After housing lot approvals declined by 29 per cent under Labor, the Crisafulli Government is backing councils to unlock more homes by cutting red tape and supporting local planning reform,” he said.

“This fund empowers councils to remove barriers to development, streamline planning systems and get housing projects moving from approval to construction faster than ever before.”

Bleijie emphasised that collaboration, not centralised control, was the key to success.

“The last decade saw councils steamrolled by poor planning decisions and unnecessary bureaucracy. We’re restoring local decision-making and working with councils as equal partners to solve the housing crisis.”

What the Scheme Supply Fund Does

The Scheme Supply Fund is part of a broader push to modernise Queensland’s planning framework. It provides targeted financial assistance to local governments to review and update planning schemes that influence land zoning, housing density, infrastructure provision and environmental considerations.

In practical terms, the fund helps councils:

• Review outdated zoning and overlays that limit new development
• Streamline assessment processes for infill and greenfield housing
• Align regional plans with the state’s housing targets
• Enable more “shovel-ready” housing and infrastructure projects

For regional builders and developers, this means faster approvals, clearer guidance, and fewer bottlenecks in the pipeline.

A Broader Housing Plan

The Scheme Supply Fund sits alongside a suite of housing initiatives introduced since the Crisafulli Government came to power, all aimed at tackling supply, affordability and market confidence.

These include:

• Stamp duty exemptions on new builds for first home buyers
• Unlocking church and charity-owned land for community housing
• Allowing first homeowners to rent out rooms without facing financial penalties
• The $2 billion Residential Activation Fund, designed to accelerate infrastructure delivery for large-scale housing projects

Together, these measures are designed to deliver on the government’s target of one million homes by 2044.

The View from the Regions

Regional councils have long argued that uniform planning rules don’t reflect the realities of housing delivery outside the southeast corner. Land supply, workforce shortages, and infrastructure constraints all differ dramatically across regions.

For many councils, this new funding is an opportunity to tailor planning schemes to local conditions.

Livingstone Shire Council, for example, has been managing rapid growth driven by migration to the Capricorn Coast. Updating its planning scheme will help balance new development with environmental protection and infrastructure investment.

In contrast, Paroo and Balonne Shires face the opposite challenge: maintaining and attracting population growth through affordable housing and incentives for new development.

With the Scheme Supply Fund, each council can take a more nuanced approach, supporting infill in some areas and greenfield expansion in others, depending on their community’s needs.

Why This Matters for Builders

For builders operating in Queensland’s regions, these reforms could translate into fewer delays, clearer approvals, and greater confidence to invest.

The Good Builder’s community of residential builders and tradespeople consistently identifies planning bottlenecks as one of the key barriers to housing delivery, particularly where councils are under-resourced or reliant on outdated planning schemes.

By providing funding and technical support directly to councils, the government hopes to create a more predictable environment for both small-to-medium builders and major developers.

Builders in regions like Goondiwindi and Mareeba stand to benefit as planning reforms improve the speed of development approvals and open up new subdivisions for housing.

A Focus on Delivery

Deputy Premier Bleijie said the reforms were not about political headlines, but tangible outcomes.

“This is about getting homes built,” he said.
“Queenslanders are tired of talk, they want action, and that’s exactly what this fund delivers.”

He added that the government’s broader housing strategy was designed to support builders, investors and local governments working together toward the shared goal of housing more Queenslanders, sooner.

Looking Ahead

With the Scheme Supply Fund’s total budget of $12.5 million, further councils are expected to receive grants in the coming months.

The Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning has invited expressions of interest from councils ready to undertake meaningful reform.

For builders and developers across Queensland, the message is clear: more land is being unlocked, and local councils are being empowered to act faster.

As Queensland continues to face a housing shortfall, particularly in high-growth regional areas, the government’s latest funding injection is being watched closely by industry groups, builders, and homeowners alike.

The success of this program and others like it, will depend on how effectively state and local governments can balance urgency with quality, ensuring new housing supply meets both community needs and long-term planning goals.

Author: TGB Editorial