Up to 12,000 new homes on the way in new Sunshine Coast precinct

The Halls Creek development area on the southern Sunshine Coast is expected to support nearly 30,000 future residents as the region expands. 

The Queensland government has declared a new priority development area (PDA) on the southern Sunshine Coast, paving the way for up to 12,000 new homes. 

A PDA is a parcel of land identified for accelerated development to deliver new housing.  

The Halls Creek PDA covers more than 1200 hectares approximately 6.6km south-west of Caloundra and is set to deliver community facilities, green space and sites for new businesses alongside new housing for 30,000 people.  

According to the government, an early release area will fast-track about 1000 homes first. 

Announcing the declaration, Queensland deputy premier and minister for state development, infrastructure and planning Jarrod Bleijie said the government would fast-track homes, facilities and infrastructure. 

“This is the next step in the evolution of the southern Sunshine Coast as a growing community for families and businesses, and the Crisafulli Government is ensuring the homes, facilities and infrastructure are in place and fast tracked,” he said. 

Industry welcomed the move, with Housing Industry Association (HIA) executive director Michael Roberts saying improved supply was critical to affordability and access across the region. 

“Improving housing supply is essential to keeping the Sunshine Coast affordable and accessible for local workers, young people, families and older residents,” Mr Roberts said. 

“HIA members continue to report that the chronic shortage of shovel-ready land on the Sunshine Coast is constraining the pipeline of new homes, making it difficult to respond to demand, so anything that can unlock land and get homes out of the ground faster is welcome.” 

The announcement follows Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) approving nearly 2900 homes in the neighbouring Caloundra South PDA, also known as Stockland’s Aura development, bringing the total number of approved and planned homes in Aura to 7000. 

Eventually, Aura is expected to grow to nearly 20,000 homes. The new PDA at Halls Creek is expected to complement Aura, with Stockland referring to it as Aura South. 

Responding to the declaration, Stockland Queensland development general manager David Laner said the PDA recognised the site’s strategic location and potential to leverage major transport investments. 

"We welcome the Queensland Government's declaration of the Halls Creek PDA, which recognises the site's strategic location and ability to leverage existing and planned state infrastructure, including the Wave heavy rail project and regional road upgrades,” Mr Laner said. 

"The PDA has the potential to support a well-planned community that delivers new housing, employment opportunities, schools, open space and conservation outcomes, while helping accommodate the growth needed to maximise major regional investments and support the Sunshine Coast's role in the lead up to and beyond the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games." 

Preparation of the development scheme is expected to begin, with public consultation on the PDA to follow later this year. 

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