Qld expands housing-supply expert panel

Following a national ‘expressions of interest’ process that attracted 59 applications, 12 new members to the Queensland Housing Supply Expert Panel have been announced on 9 January 2023.

The idea behind the new, expanded expert panel is to help unlock more housing throughout Queensland, the government has explained.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Planning, Steven Miles, announced the 12 appointees to the new panel.

“Following the historic Queensland Housing Summit in October 2022 and the release of the summit’s outcomes report, we are continuing to drive more housing supply and affordability measures,” Mr Miles said.

“That includes expanding the size and scope of the panel to ensure we have the depth and breadth of advice needed to unlock housing solutions throughout the state.

“The new Housing Supply Expert Panel will advise on a broader range of housing issues throughout Queensland, rather than just the South East.

“With these appointments, Queensland has moved to the next level in gaining the advice and guidance needed to deliver more land supply and new communities.

“We have also taken the opportunity to further expand the Panel’s skillset.

“There are now members with specialist expertise in property development and real estate as well as planners, demographers, economists and housing experts.”

A cross-section of experts

The panel’s tasks will include providing insights and analysis on supply and demand factors, economic influences, and market trends, the government confirmed.

They will provide updates and reports on market activity, social housing stock, data, and other information as well as assist with the shaping of the annual Land Supply and Development Monitoring reports, it added.

Mr Miles thanked the outgoing nine-member panel for their hard work over an extended period.

“The panel members were originally appointed to a two-year term, but the urgent need for their continuing input during the COVID-19 recovery meant they stayed on for more than four years,” he explained.

“Queensland owes a debt of gratitude to the outgoing panel members for their exceptional dedication and service.

“The panel has driven important initiatives, including the creation in 2021 of the Growth Areas Team (GAT), who are now working with other agencies to accelerate land supply and development.

“The GAT is already unlocking land for residential communities in areas such as Caboolture West and Southern Redland Bay.”

The new Housing Supply Expert Panel now comprises the following members:

• Julie Saunders — Urban planning and housing (chair)
• Amy Degenhart — Urban design and architecture
• Mary Doctor — Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander housing
• Dr Michael Fotheringham — Housing research and policy development
• Guy Gibson — Property development
• Dr Sharon Harwood — Urban planning
• Antonia Mercorella — Real estate, property and housing economics
• Darren Mew — Property development, urban design and affordable housing
• Phillip Ransom — Property economics
• Natalie Rayment – urban planning
• Tim Reardon — Property economics
• Matthew Ryan — Property economics

Tackling Qld’s housing challenges

Panel member Mr Gibson, a former property development executive with Lendlease, said he was pleased to be appointed to the panel.

“Land supply was identified as a key issue in the Property Council’s recent report A Home For Every Queenslander, which focused on the current challenges of housing availability and affordability,” Mr Gibson stated.

“I’m looking forward to working with the panel to provide the best advice on how to tackle Queensland’s housing challenges.”

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