Qld urgently amends planning laws to legalise granny flat rentals

As some Queenslanders resort to sleeping in their cars, a new plan to fix the state’s rental crists has been hatched. FULL REPORT

Queenslanders will be able to lease their granny flats on the rental market to create thousands of new housing options after the Palaszczuk government adopts an urgent amendment to planning laws.

Current planning regulations restrict homeowners from renting out a secondary dwelling on their properties, with most Queensland councils requiring an arduous development approval to allow the exterior building to be used as a rental.

The amendment to the planning regulation was suggested by stakeholders at a pre-housing summit roundtable last week following extensive reporting from The Courier-Mail urging the Queensland government to address the housing crisis.

Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Steven Miles said the urgent change would remove restrictions on people who could live in secondary dwellings, expected to create homes for thousands of Queenslanders.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles and Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk at the pre-housing summit roundtable last week. Picture: NCA NewsWire/John Gass

“Many homeowners have granny flats that they’ve built or converted for family members or teenagers who have since moved out,” he said.

“Right now, homeowners can’t rent secondary dwellings, such as granny flats, to anyone other than their immediate family.

“At the same time, some Queenslanders are sleeping in their cars or in tents.

“It just makes sense to allow existing accommodation to be occupied by someone other than a relative to provide more affordable accommodation for Queenslanders.”

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The planning change will skip the regular consultation stages given the urgency of the state’s housing shortfall, but Mr Miles said the government would revisit the policy in three years to properly assess its suitability.

He said the measure would also serve as an income source for property owners struggling with cost-of-living constraints.

“We can move people in to under-utilised granny flats much more quickly than constructing new properties,” Mr Miles said.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk chairs the pre-housing summit roundtable last week. Picture: NCA NewsWire/John Gass

The move was supported by industry group, the Planning Institute of Australia, with the amendment viewed as an affordable solution for singles, couples or small families.

“This change will help deliver additional housing types that can meet Queenslanders’ needs,” institute president Shannon Batch said.

Housing Minister Leeanne Enoch applauded the solution offered by stakeholders at the roundtable.

Ms Enoch flagged the adoption of further housing policies to emerge from the Queensland housing summit on October 20.

“The Palaszczuk government is committed to looking at a range of avenues for renters to have access to a greater range of places to live,” she said.

“These proposals will provide greater housing choice and diversity within lower density residential areas to accommodate smaller households such as students, single persons, older people and couple-only households.”

The Deputy Premier said the review of the amendment in three years would create an option to critically assess any unintended consequences.

“Each homeowner will, of course, need to ensure their secondary dwelling complies with fire and building provisions,” Mr Miles said.