Livingstone Shire Council approves Temporary Local Planning Instrument to rezone land for housing

Three large housing corridors will be opened up on the Capricorn Coast providing opportunity to fast track more than 2000 new home blocks to address its ongoing accommodation crisis.

Livingstone Shire Cr Andrea Friend, Cr Rhodes Watson, Cr Lance Warcon and Mayor Adam Belot have praised the Queensland Government’s approval of a new Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) to unlock growth in key areas across the region.

Three large housing corridors will be opened up on the Capricorn Coast providing opportunity to fast track more than 2000 new home blocks in a major Livingstone Shire Council initiative to address its ongoing accommodation crisis.

Council today, on Tuesday June 3, endorsed the State Government-approved Temporary Local Planning Instrument to rezone land at three priority areas – Hidden Valley (1500 residential lots), Kinka Beach (700 residential lots) and Emu Park (200 urban residential lots) – enabling “a pipeline of new homes, commercial activity, and critical green spaces to be delivered over time, in response to market conditions and infrastructure readiness”.

The new housing precinct at Kinka Beach near Kinka Beach Road.

Mayor Adam Belot said the TLPI would unlock growth in key areas, removing barriers and streamline development approvals.

“Our council is getting on with the job of delivering more housing for our shire in a way that supports sustainable, sensible growth,” he said.

“A home is more than just four walls and a roof – it’s the foundation for a good job, a good education, and a better future.

“Right now, too many families are struggling to find a place to live. That’s simply not good enough – and I’m focused on delivering more opportunities for locals, for the mums and dads working hard to build a good life here.

“This TLPI offers a practical, targeted solution to unlock additional land in the short term, all while protecting the integrity of our long-term planning framework.”

Cr Belot said the plan wasn't about lowering standards.

“All developments must continue to meet rigorous environmental and community safeguards — from protecting biodiversity and water quality to preserving our natural and cultural heritage,” he said.

The new housing precinct at Hidden Valley near Yeppoon and Neils road intersection.

The plan will deliver a mix of lot sizes down to 450m² like in Taranganba, to meet the needs of a wide range of residents, from retirees to young families.

“Ensuring our infrastructure keeps up with this growth is a priority, and council is committed to doing just that,” he said.

“But there’s another side to this: every new property adds to our rate base, which in turn strengthens council’s financial position and ability to reinvest locally.

“What many people may not realise is that building approvals have been declining sharply – not due to a lack of demand, but because very little land is actually available on the market. As a result, prices are rising fast, and homeownership is becoming increasingly out of reach for locals.

“Unlocking new homes in the right locations not only relieves that pressure, but it also helps us avoid overburdening areas like Tanby Road and the Scenic Highway. And with the completion of the East West Connector, we’ll also see major relief for traffic congestion which is quickly becoming a challenge for many motorists.”

The new housing precinct at Emu Park off Henry Street, next to the airstrip.

Keppel MP Nigel Hutton said the State Government was committed to helping more Queenslanders realise their dream of owning their own home.

“The housing crisis has affected people right across the state and the Crisafulli Queensland Government is determined to reduce red tape to tackle the challenge of securing our housing foundations,” he said.

Deputy Mayor Pat Eastwood, Co- Chair of Council’s Infrastructure Standing Committee, said council was focused on addressing the housing challenge while balancing the needs of the community.

“If we want to support local businesses, tradies and the economy, we need to build more homes – it’s that simple,” Cr Eastwood said.

“We have development-ready land, community support, and developers who are eager to begin.

“With this grant and TLPI, we can unlock this land far sooner than otherwise possible and ensure that the supporting infrastructure is delivered upfront.”

Originally published as Livingstone Shire Council approves Temporary Local Planning Instrument to rezone land for housing