Delivering ShapingSEQ 2023 Priority Actions
Each of the five themes of Grow, Prosper, Connect, Sustain and Live, and implementation assurance under Delivery, are supported by Priority Actions.
Progress on each of the Priority Actions is outlined below.
Grow
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Every SEQ resident should have access to a safe, secure and affordable home that meets their needs and enables participation in the social and economic life of this prosperous state. SEQ’s expected growth to almost six million people over the next 25 years, will require the delivery of almost 900,000 new, well-located homes.
Planning requirements must enable logical growth that provides more opportunities for people to access the homes they need. Gently increasing the number of homes such as duplexes, freehold terraces, row houses, and low-rise units within existing urban areas and close to existing services like transport, education and shops, creates more choice as to how and where people live.
ShapingSEQ 2023 includes a number of policies aimed at increasing housing supply and diversity. It also sets dwelling supply targets, supported by housing diversity targets, that seek to promote and monitor the delivery of dwelling supply and provide direction on the required mix of dwelling types needed to accommodate changing population and households by 2046.
Local governments are required to review and make changes to their planning schemes to meet these policies and targets. Priority Action 1 identifies that, where aligning with the policy directions of ShapingSEQ 2023, local governments will have the opportunity to undertake a fast-tracked planning scheme amendment process for the purpose of implementing ShapingSEQ 2023.
Outline
The Queensland Government will facilitate streamlined (3, 6 and 12-month) planning scheme amendment processes for local governments to undertake where planning scheme policy requires recalibration with the outcomes sought by ShapingSEQ 2023. The streamlined processes will be available to local planning authorities where proposed planning scheme amendments align with and advance the outcomes and strategies of the ShapingSEQ 2023 Grow theme.
Objective
To enable the timely integration of targeted ShapingSEQ 2023 policy outcomes under the Grow theme through plan making activities, including through the facilitation of streamlined scheme amendments.
Regional priorities alignment
- A sustainable growth pattern
- More home, faster – supply, diversity and affordability
- More social and affordable homes
- Well-designed communities
- Integrated land use and infrastructure
Progress update
June 2025
A targeted review of each SEQ planning scheme to establish the current level of alignment with ShapingSEQ 2023 has been completed.
A summary of the planning scheme reviews, and a regional comparison, has been prepared which outlines the findings at a collective region wide level. A development feasibility analysis has also been prepared which provides advice about the development feasibility of planning scheme provisions.
Outputs from this have been provided to the working group, and collaboration with local governments will continue to identify agreed actions to improve alignment of planning schemes with ShapingSEQ 2023.
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Communities across Australia, including SEQ, are willing to embrace growth and greater urban density if the area has good access to public transport, quality urban design, plenty of green open space as well as walking and cycling options.
ShapingSEQ 2023 incorporates a range of policy responses to address housing supply, density and diversity over the short, medium and long term. The high amenity areas framework is an amenity-based policy framework to increase density and diversity in key locations where growth is more able to be supported. This framework uses a ‘multi-criteria decision analysis’ approach to identify locations where housing density and diversity can be directed.
High-amenity locations are where communities are supported by key features such as access to high frequency public transport, community facilities, open space and activity centres. These areas will be the focus of localised policy interventions, plan-making and development assessment responses to promote additional housing supply.
Outline
The Queensland Government will refine the multi-criteria analysis tool from the framework in partnership with local governments and relevant state agencies. The Queensland Government will work in collaboration with local planning authorities and utility providers to identify and spatially define high amenity areas and prioritise greater housing densities and diversity in these locations. The high amenity areas framework will continue to inform localised policy interventions, plan-making and development assessment processes.
Objective
To ensure higher dwelling diversity and densities are achieved in strategic locations that benefit from key infrastructure and services, to support the achievement of dwelling supply and diversity sub-targets through consolidation.
Regional priorities alignment
- A sustainable growth pattern
- More homes, faster – supply, diversity and affordability
- More social and affordable homes
- Well-designed communities
- Integrated land use and infrastructure
Progress update
June 2025
Refinement of the GIS-based Multi Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) tool, prepared to inform land use analysis for SEQ wide high amenity areas, is underway.
Collaboration with local governments to incorporate feedback to further refine the MCDA tool has commenced.
Prosper
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ShapingSEQ 2023 seeks to address the opportunities and challenges of the region’s economy with a priority of sustaining economic growth and prosperity. Population growth projected for SEQ brings significant opportunity for jobs growth during the life of the regional plan.
Regional Economic Clusters (RECs) are important because they contain significant levels of high value or trade focussed economic activity. They also support the connection of SEQ to other regions, states and countries through sophisticated supply chain relationships and a range of infrastructure networks that enable the transmission of goods, services, information and knowledge. Strengthening our global and national relationships is a core priority for ShapingSEQ 2023 and will ensure that the region’s economy continues to prosper.
ShapingSEQ 2023 seeks to ensure that all RECs are performing to maximise the region’s traditional strengths and to drive greater levels of high value employment throughout SEQ. Priority Action 3 supports this aim, providing detailed direction to achieve it.
Action outline
Local governments will appropriately recognise and reflect RECs in planning schemes. The regional significance of RECs should be identified within strategic frameworks to provide highest-order recognition (along with other economic areas).
Planning schemes should also support the growth of RECs with planning responses that address the opportunities and constraints of each REC.
To support this, the Queensland Government will work with local governments on a detailed investigation of RECs across SEQ to aid understanding of:
- Factors which have given rise and underpin the REC
- What drives specialisation within the REC
- What opportunities there are to enhance the performance of the REC by leveraging existing competitive advantages or removing impediments to the efficient operation of the REC
Objective
To understand the economic and employment opportunities for RECs and identify infrastructure, planning or policy initiatives that could facilitate these opportunities.
Regional priorities alignment
- Integrating land use and infrastructure
- New economic opportunities and jobs
Progress update
June 2025
A report has been developed to understand the opportunities for RECs detailing the drivers, benefits and enabling infrastructure and policies relevant for each of the seven specialities identified for SEQ, and combination of specialties present in SEQ.
Five RECs have been selected for profiling in Tranche 1 - Northern Gateway REC, Strathpine-Brendale-Petrie REC, Western Gateway REC, Ipswich REC, Yatala-Stapylton-Beenleigh REC.
The preparation of a bespoke stakeholder engagement strategy for each of the profiled RECs in Round 1 has commenced in collaboration with local governments
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ShapingSEQ 2023 seeks to achieve well-planned employment opportunities to meet the region’s future needs. To achieve this vision for SEQ, a range of different types of jobs and opportunities are needed. Ensuring adequate supply of future industrial land is important for the regional economy. Given the specific locational needs for industrial uses, finding appropriate suitable land can be challenging. Supply of sufficient industrial land across SEQ is a key priority to service the growing population and to ensure SEQ can make the most of the opportunities presented by innovation in sectors such as manufacturing, waste and energy.
Priority Action 4 is to establish a regional industrial land framework as a mechanism to carry out more in-depth analysis of the demand and supply for industrial land in SEQ and establish a detailed strategy to respond in the medium-long term. This framework will consider industrial land at a regional scale, which will compliment local industrial land planning.
Through the framework, state and local government will undertake a more detailed assessment of the industrial land supply and demand outlook for each SEQ local government. This will include an investigation of land already designated, to be appropriately serviced and made accessible to meet future demand pressures and will consider the longer-term role and function of Major Economic and Industrial Areas (MEIAs) across SEQ in recognition of their place in regional, national and international supply chains.
This priority Action is closely related to priority Action 3 Strengthening RECs. Many of the region’s MEIAs are located within RECs, and benefit from synergies with core components of RECs.
Action outline
In partnership with local government, the Queensland Government will establish a regional industrial land framework to monitor industrial land supply, project industrial land demand and respond to projected regional industrial land demand in SEQ. This framework will consider industrial land at a regional scale, which will complement local industrial land planning.
Objective
To ensure well-located industrial land is available at the appropriate time and enhance opportunities for industrial land development, including within MEIAs.
Regional priorities alignment
- Integrating land use and infrastructure
- New economic opportunities and jobs
- A sufficient pipeline of industrial land
Progress update
June 2025
Industrial land supply and demand modelling to establish scenarios for SEQ, in collaboration with local governments, is completed.
A review of MEIA profiles to identify contemporary statistical profiles, target long-term function, and recommended boundaries, opportunities and constraints is underway.
The industrial land supply and demand analysis and MEIA profiles will inform the development of the Industrial Land Strategy.
Preparation of an Industrial Land Strategy has commenced. The strategy will establish a road map to facilitate a thriving industrial sector in SEQ to 2046 through ensuring: well-located industrial land is available at the appropriate time; and opportunities for industrial land development, including within MEIAs, are maximised.
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When it comes to economic activity in SEQ, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. That is, when industries and businesses co-locate and are well-connected, they increase their productivity and capacity to compete nationally and globally.
To achieve the vision for SEQ, a range of different types of jobs and opportunities are needed. This includes jobs that can boost the economic growth of the region, high-value, specialised or ‘outward facing’ jobs and also a range of population-serving jobs. These jobs have different requirements in terms of their location, infrastructure and investment drivers.
The Regional Activity Centres (RAC) network in SEQ is intended to play a key role in the delivery of SEQ’s desired growth pattern and development outcomes.
A detailed review of the RAC network was not in scope for the review of ShapingSEQ 2017, and Priority Action 5 seeks to address this by developing agreed principles and boundaries for what constitutes a RAC. The review informing ShapingSEQ 2023 identified a number of centres as underperforming with reference to their role in the RAC network, and this highlights the need for a better understanding of the performance of network and its role in the future economy of SEQ.
Action outline
The Queensland Government will work with local governments to develop agreed principles and boundaries for what constitutes the area of a regional activity centre. This will inform an update to regional activity centres, including geographic boundaries, as necessary.
Using the agreed boundaries, key measures for centres will be identified, and used for the ongoing monitoring of regional activity centres. This information will be used as an evidence base to inform future policy decisions and put in place actions to address where centres are underperforming or alternately actions to facilitate more floor space, mixed uses, jobs and residential development where capacity exists in these areas.
Objective
To develop an evidence base for the RACs in SEQ that will inform future policy decisions and facilitate optimal land and planning outcomes.
Regional priorities alignment
- A sustainable growth pattern
- Integrated land use and infrastructure
- New economic opportunities and jobs
Progress update
June 2025
This project is due to start in the second half of 2025 and will commence by engaging with local governments to identify draft criteria and definitions for regional activity centres.
Connect
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ShapingSEQ 2023 includes policy and infrastructure alignment as critical to shaping and supporting growth across the region. The relationship between transport and land use, how it affects land use pattern, and how it affects the movement of people to access work and services, and social interactions have a strong inter-relationship with the land use planning policy directions of ShapingSEQ 2023. These matters identified set the foundation and parameters for a transport response to the preferred land use pattern identified in the regional plan.
Priority Action 6 recognises the importance of continued collaboration and cooperation across government and prioritises analysis that integrates land use and transport considerations to support decision-making of land use policy and infrastructure planning. The policy outcomes sought for the transport system and the identified strategic transport system at 2046 have been developed in direct response to changes in the land use pattern identified under the grow and prosper priority actions.
Outline
Planning and transport agencies within the Queensland Government will continue to develop and utilise integrated land use and infrastructure modelling capability. Modelling and analytical capability will support informed decision-making of land use policy and infrastructure planning and will be a critical element in monitoring the implementation of ShapingSEQ 2023.
Objective
Support informed decision-making of land use policy and infrastructure planning through the development of integrated modelling capability.
Regional priorities alignment
- A sustainable growth pattern
- Integrating land use and infrastructure
Progress update
June 2025
Data preparation for Regional Zoning Scenario Model is well underway with specification documentation for the build and delivery of a Regional Zoning Scenario Model completed.
Council collaboration on data preparation and verification is underway for staged roll-out of pilot local government areas.
Sustain
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ShapingSEQ 2023 recognises the landscape of SEQ is the Country for several Traditional Owner groups who have a long and continuing connection to the lands and waters across SEQ and the region benefits from their valuable culture, knowledge, traditions and stories.
The intent for Priority Action 7 is for the Queensland government to continue to improve how it works together with Traditional Owners and all First Nations peoples on planning processes, including regional plans. Priority Action 7 focuses on engaging early, and on and ongoing basis with Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples. The action seeks to develop a framework for future engagement with First Nations peoples on regional planning, to protect and promote Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture and traditions in future versions of ShapingSEQ.
Outline
The Queensland Government will continue to engage with Traditional Owners and First Nations peoples to jointly develop a First Nations Engagement Framework to input into planning processes, that values cultural knowledge and connection to land and sea.
Objective
To ensure that ShapingSEQ and planning processes are inclusive of First Nations peoples' interests, aspirations and priorities.
Regional priorities alignment
- Incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture, traditions and aspirations
- New economic opportunities and jobs
- Well-designed communities
Progress update
June 2025
Procurement of a contractor has commenced. The contractor will help with First Nations engagement, followed by preparation of a First Nations engagement framework.
The ShapingSEQ Delivery Office will work in collaboration with SEQ local governments to help inform development of the framework, and advise on aligned engagement or consultation activities within SEQ.
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ShapingSEQ 2023 identifies that the protection of biodiversity should consider biodiversity values at a landscape scale and how those values contribute to the holistic biodiversity of the area. Potential Future Growth Areas (PFGAs) are areas in the SEQ Regional Landscape and Rural Production Area that may be needed to accommodate long-term urban growth but are not required to accommodate the dwelling supply targets or employment planning baselines identified in ShapingSEQ 2023. Priority Action 8 provides an input into the consideration of PFGAs, providing greater certainty for industry and better environment outcomes through improved information, strategic planning, and guidance to support assessment under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act).
Outline
Planning and environment agencies within the Queensland Government will work together with the Australian Government to develop a bioregional plan for PFGAs in SEQ. For further information about bioregional planning, please visit Bioregional planning.
Objective
Develop a pilot bioregional plan for urban development in SEQ, to provide greater certainty for industry and better environment outcomes through improved information, strategic planning, and guidance to support assessment under the EPBC Act.
Regional priorities alignment
- A sustainable growth pattern
- Better biodiversity outcomes for growth areas
- Incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture, traditions and aspirations
Progress update
June 2025
The Queensland Government has developed a methodology for mapping biodiversity values, which underpins bioregional planning. The methodology was externally reviewed in 2024 to ensure it meets the Queensland and Australian government’s objectives.
In 2025, the Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation will work with stakeholders to understand values, analyse potential impacts, and develop guidance on managing impacts. This will inform the development of the plan by mid-2026.
The department is commencing targeted, place-based stakeholder engagement, offering various opportunities across multiple phases of engagement for stakeholders to get involved and provide feedback.
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ShapingSEQ 2023 aims to support delivery of future urban growth in places that are resilient to natural hazards. It is important in the age of global competitiveness that the land use pattern avoids or limits exposure to natural hazard events, to ensure economic and social confidence in our towns and cities – particularly if climate change means SEQ is likely to be subject to more events in the future.
Priority Action 9 is to deliver the first stage of a framework to advance strategic policy and practice in natural hazard risk and resilience. Priority Action 9 aims to create a regional definition of intolerable risk to guide the identification of ‘no-go’ development areas – areas that cannot be mitigated to an acceptable or tolerable level for any land use. This will be used to inform future strategic planning in SEQ including refining the Urban Footprint.
Outline
The Queensland Government, in partnership with key stakeholders, will commence the Review pathway as stage 1 of the Resilience Policy Maturity Framework, including collating the best available hazard and risk mapping and preparing regionally consistent definitions of intolerable risk including the identification of no-go development areas for refining of the Urban Footprint.
Objective
To ensure new urban development in SEQ is directed to areas with low natural hazard risk.
Regional priorities alignment
- A sustainable growth pattern
- Incorporating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander knowledge, culture, traditions and aspirations
- Regional approach to natural hazards
Progress update
June 2025
The development of a mapping methodology and a combined region-wide natural hazard layer is well underway with existing natural hazard data collated from the relevant data holders, such as local governments.
The regional risk assessment methodologies for each natural hazard have been drafted to combine this existing natural hazard data into one mapping layer per hazard.
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ShapingSEQ 2023 recognises that a changing climate is projected to see heatwaves and extreme heat events become more frequent with all natural, rural and urban environments within SEQ likely to experience higher average temperatures. These impacts will be greater in urban areas and cities due to the urban heat island effect. The priority action is to incorporate heatwave and urban heat considerations in SEQ settlement planning and urban design through regional and local scale heat hazard risk assessments.
Priority action 10 will produce guidance for reducing heat hazard risk in our communities.
Outline
Local governments undertake local-scale heat hazard risk assessments, local microclimate assessment and built form investigations to guide land use planning, urban design and greening and cooling strategies.
As an update to this Priority Action, the state government intends to lead this work in consultation with local governments using a regional-wide agreed methodology. Local microclimate assessment will not form part of the heat hazard mapping and risk assessments.
Objective
To reduce the impacts of heat wave and extreme heat on communities.
Regional priorities alignment
- A sustainable growth pattern
- Regional approach to natural hazards
- Better biodiversity outcomes for growth areas
Progress update
June 2025
A draft methodology to prepare regional heat hazard mapping and local heat hazard risk assessments has been developed. The draft methodology has been prepared in collaboration with local governments and relevant state agencies.
Live
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ShapingSEQ 2023 seeks to manage regional growth in the most sustainable way, and to protect and enhance the quality of life in the region. ShapingSEQ 2023 offers the mechanism to strengthen a collective understanding from all stakeholders of what a distinctly SEQ lifestyle is and how it is reflected in our streets, parks, buildings, and places. Good design and place-making outcomes are critical to achieving community support for growth in SEQ, including increased density in high amenity areas and gentle density across suburbs.
Priority Action 11 commits to developing design guidance and form-based codes for diverse housing product including gentle density, aimed at streamlining design, planning and assessment processes through the Distinctly Queensland Design Series.
Outline
The Queensland Government will develop design guidance and form-based codes for diverse housing products, including gentle density in new “Distinctly Queensland Design Series” aimed at streamlining design, planning and assessment processes.
Objective
To provide simple, clear and easy to understand requirements to support the development of more gentle density forms of housing.
Regional priorities alignment
- A sustainable growth pattern
- More homes, faster – supply, diversity and affordability
- Well-designed communities
Progress update
June 2025
The Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning conducted public consultation on a draft state code for dwelling house that is a secondary dwelling, running from 30 September to 12 November 2024.
The consultation process garnered interest from a wide range of stakeholders. The next steps for this project will be informed by consultation on the Queensland Housing Code.
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ShapingSEQ 2023 recognises that urban greening is important to enhance natural systems, to improve the biodiversity of an area and improve the wellbeing of communities. ShapingSEQ 2023 seeks to encourage higher standards for greening and cooling in urban environments through increasing tree canopy cover.
Priority Action 12 seeks to work with local governments to increase tree canopy coverage and to provide a tree canopy baseline measurement in target areas across SEQ.
Outline
The Queensland Government will establish a baseline of existing tree canopy coverage in SEQ and will work with local governments to increase tree canopy coverage in centres and residential areas, monitoring progress through future reviews of ShapingSEQ.
Strategy 5.4 of the Live theme in ShapingSEQ 2023 complements this Priority Action by providing specific targets and target areas – increase tree canopy coverage within centres and residential areas to achieve a minimum of 15% in the capital city centre, 25% in urban residential and light commercial areas and 50% in suburban residential areas.
Objective
To increase tree canopy across SEQ to reduce the impacts of urban heat and improve amenity, walkability and biodiversity in urban areas in SEQ.
Regional priorities alignment
- Well-designed communities
- Regional approach to natural hazards
Progress update
June 2025
A draft methodology for a baseline measurement of tree canopy in the relevant target areas across SEQ has been prepared. The draft methodology has been prepared in collaboration with local governments and relevant state agencies. It involves a repeatable methodology for measuring the tree canopy baseline.
Delivery
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In the context of ShapingSEQ 2023, assurance is demonstrated to stakeholders through a clear implementation plan, governance, monitoring, and an iterative assessment of the likelihood of the regional plan achieving its objectives. Implementation assurance ensures accountability for stakeholders, while identifying potential risks in delivery, and associated actions being taken through governance arrangements to realise the outcomes of the regional plan.
Priority Action 13 establishes a clear and evidence-based assurance framework which serves as a strategic tool to communicate and inform decision making across Queensland Government, local governments, industry and ultimately the community.
Outline
The Queensland Government has invested in and will continue to develop and refine a fit-for-purpose Implementation Assurance Framework (IAF) for the delivery of ShapingSEQ 2023. This will include a maturation plan for the framework’s execution and the commencement of the revised governance framework.
Objective
To establish an efficient and effective IAF to govern, assure, monitor and report on ShapingSEQ 2023 progress to inform program decision-making, policy-making and potential intervention/escalation measures.
Regional priorities alignment
The IAF aligns with all regional priorities outlined under each Priority Action.
Progress update
June 2025
Foundational development of the IAF has been completed with the ShapingSEQ 2023 governance structure established, and meetings held for the Program Steering Committee, Project Control Group, and working groups.
Project plans for each of the 13 Priority Actions under ShapingSEQ 2023 have been established, with progress updates published online. A stakeholder engagement and communication strategy has also been prepared.
Finalisation of the IAF including work on performance monitoring and reporting tools has commenced.
Last updated: 14 Apr 2025