24 June 2026

Queensland Budget 2026-27: Housing delivery, enabling infrastructure and planning reform

Yesterday the Queensland Treasurer The Hon. David Janetzki MP handed down the State Budget for 2026-27.  In an environment of higher inflation, the ongoing Middle East conflict creating global disruptions, and other macro political and economic factors, the budget continues to reflect the Government’s focus on housing delivery and better services, enabling infrastructure and a safer Queensland through a stronger economy and economic productivity gains. 

For planning and built environment professionals, the budget particularly reinforces housing delivery, infrastructure activation, critical minerals, tourism, water security, regional resilience, the Games legacy and planning reform as priorities for the term ahead.

A continuing focus on red tape reduction, streamlining of approvals particularly in the critical minerals and state development space for productivity gains remains.

While several housing initiatives had been announced previously, the Budget provides greater clarity around funding allocations, delivery responsibilities and the Government's broader approach to accelerating housing supply across Queensland.

 

 

Social and community housing investment

The Government is providing an additional $487.3 million over five years to support the continued delivery of 53,500 social and community homes by 2044, contributing to a broader investment of $5.725 billion over four years from 2026-27 in social and community housing.

This remains one of the Budget's most significant commitments to addressing housing supply and affordability challenges across Queensland.

 

Housing activation and infrastructure delivery

The Budget confirms funding and delivery arrangements for several previously announced housing activation initiatives.

The Government has reaffirmed its commitment to the $200 million Infrastructure Activation Fund (IAF) over 4 years, which is intended to support infrastructure works that unlock housing in priority development areas and support the Commonwealth's housing agenda. The Budget includes an additional $20 million in 2026-27. This funding will secure up to an additional $2 billion from the Federal Government.

The Budget also confirms funding of $15 million over two years for the previously announced Land Activation Program, with EDQ undertaking due diligence and activation work on pilot sites to unlock land suitable for private sector housing delivery.

The Residential Activation Fund also continues to support local infrastructure projects that facilitate housing growth across the state.

 

Economic Development Queensland

In addition to its role in the Infrastructure Activation Fund and Land Activation Program, the Budget confirms $25 million over three years for site preparation and enabling works at the Central Queensland University North Rockhampton Campus, supporting approximately 200 homes on development-ready land.

Importantly, both the Land Activation Program and the North Rockhampton initiative are being funded internally by DSDIP and delivered through EDQ.

The Budget also notes shifts in program delivery responsibilities, including housing activation initiatives moving into EDQ, alongside increased staffing to support delivery.

Taken together, these measures suggest EDQ will continue to play an increasingly prominent role in housing facilitation, land activation and development delivery across Queensland.

 

Planning reform and approval certainty

The Budget includes $8.1 million over five years and $1.6 million ongoing annually to support the Government's planning commitments.

This funding will support:

• Infrastructure planning review
• Delivery of regional planning priorities
• Ongoing review and implementation of the State Planning Policy
• New regulatory obligations relating to renewables assessment

The Budget papers also reinforce the Government's commitment to planning system reform, including objectives to:

• Simplify land use planning and development assessment processes
• Support the delivery of more homes for Queenslanders
• Improve certainty in planning decisions
• Reduce red tape and improve productivity

The Government has also highlighted project facilitation and streamlined approval pathways as mechanisms to accelerate delivery of critical projects.

 

Digital transformation

The Queensland Building and Construction Commission (QBCC) will receive $15.2 million in 2025-26 through the Queensland Government Digital Fund to progress its Digital Transformation Roadmap.

The initiative is intended to modernise systems and reduce administrative burden across the building and construction sector, supporting broader government objectives around efficiency and red tape reduction.

 

Major projects and place-based initiatives

The Budget includes funding for several major projects with planning implications.

The Gabba Entertainment and Housing Precinct will receive an additional $45.6 million over two years for early works and market engagement activities, contributing to total program funding of $54.9 million over three years from 2025-26.

 

Transport Infrastructure 

The budget also features increased public transport investment including $5.5 billion over three stages for the previously announced The Wave project from Beerwah to Caloundra (stage 1) followed by stages 2 and 3 linking Birtinya to Sunshine Coast airport. 

A $5.75 billion investment in Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project to unlock additional train services between Brisbane and the Gold Coast is also included in the budget. 

The government's newly announced Gold Coast Transport Plan, including the proposed light rail extension to Harbour Town and metro-style bus network, does not yet have publicly disclosed budget allocations in the forward estimates.

 

PIA’s response to the budget

This Budget continues the Government's focus on housing delivery, infrastructure activation and planning system reform.

PIA will continue advocating for planners across the state, including through our active involvement in:

• the proposed infrastructure planning review
• State Planning Policy review
• Regional plan updates and implementation
• Digital transformation initiatives aimed at improving planning and development processes
• Measures designed to accelerate housing delivery while maintaining confidence in Queensland's planning system

We look forward to continuing to work constructively with Government and industry stakeholders as these initiatives progress.

Link to the Full Budget papers and details available online.