The Australian Institute of Architects has welcomed the Queensland Government’s Land Activation Program as a sensible step to unlock underutilised public land for housing. However, it has stressed that publicly owned land carries a clear public-interest obligation, and that dismissing affordable and community housing as part of the solution is short-sighted.
Queensland President of the Australian Institute of Architects, Caroline Stalker, said the Government’s approach raised serious questions about how housing targets would be met if public land were sold solely to the highest bidder.
“We need to include different housing providers to deliver homes across all budgets, not only private sector developers. Excluding affordable, community and public housing is unhelpful and ignores the reality of the housing crisis.”
Ms Stalker said public land should be managed carefully and strategically, with decisions made on a site-by-site basis.
“Some sites will be best suited to market housing, some to community or public housing, and others to a mix - depending on location, scale and local need,” she said.
“The Government needs to manage this process closely to ensure outcomes support the whole housing ecosystem, not just the top end of the market. The market can, and does, deliver in many areas,” Ms Stalker said.
“We need diverse, well-designed housing solutions. Excluding affordable and public housing on these sites is a missed opportunity.”