Banyo resident leaves before 450-home development; Queensland's one million target questioned

Completions fall short, workforce gaps loom as LNP marks two years

By LineZotpaper

Published19 October 2026

Read Time3 min

Sources2 outlets

The Queensland government remains committed to building one million homes within 20 years, even as a long-term Banyo resident abandons her suburb before a 450-home development there, and fresh figures show completions are lagging the required pace. Premier David Crisafulli has welcomed the 35 per cent rise in the rate of homes under construction in the state, but warned a cooling may be on the way due to federal tax changes. Industry and community groups question whether the target can be met without more workers and a broader vision for social housing.

Kim Weston has moved three times within her Brisbane suburb over 10 years, but is leaving for good before a 450-home development is built on her street. The 6.4-hectare former Energex site, vacant for more than a decade, will hold 207 townhouses, 64 affordable housing units and a 180-bed residential aged care facility, with construction expected to start next year.

Ms Weston said she did not oppose development but took issue with the suitability of the plans for the area. "I know that people need housing, but build according to the site," she said. She described the government's approach to housing as a "failure" because it is "not listening" to community concerns.

The project is part of the government's land activation program, overseen by Economic Development Queensland (EDQ). An EDQ spokesperson said it had undertaken a "robust community engagement process", distributing information via letterbox drop, email and social media. Housing Minister Sam O'Connor said the land had been earmarked for housing for a long time. "It is something we will not apologise for because there should be housing in locations like that," he said. "It is very close to public transport, it's very close to services, it is very close to everything that people need for a great life."

The road to 1 million homes has been bumpy. ABS data shows more than 52,500 homes were under construction in Queensland in the June quarter. Premier Crisafulli celebrated four consecutive quarters of "real momentum" but warned the sector would "come off the boil" on account of the federal government's housing tax changes. Mr O'Connor said the shake-up had "shattered confidence" in the construction sector, but the government would not back down. "It's an ambitious target, but we are sticking by it," he said.

However, the completion of 34,627 homes in the last financial year falls well short of the 50,000 needed each year until 2044 to meet the promise. Master Builders Queensland deputy chief executive Michael Hopkins said the state is about 20,000 workers short. "To sustain that every year for the next 20 years is a big target," he said. "It is the only thing that is going to turn around this housing crisis by getting that supply out of the ground."

On social housing, the government has delivered 4,913 social and affordable homes in two years, with 6,574 underway. It aims for 53,500 social and community homes by 2044. Queensland Council of Social Service chief executive Aimee McVeigh called the ambition "commendable" but said a "broader vision" is needed. She urged the government to reintroduce affordable housing mandates for priority developments, which Mr O'Connor said were scrapped to prevent projects from becoming unviable. Almost 42,000 active households are on the social housing register. Mr O'Connor said changes to eligibility were not currently on the agenda because so many people are waiting.

Analysis

Why This Matters

The success or failure of Queensland's one million home plan directly affects housing affordability and supply for a state under population pressure.
The Banyo case highlights a growing tension between the push to build fast and residents' demands for infrastructure that matches new density.
Chronic workforce shortages and federal policy headwinds could delay housing delivery and worsen the crisis for those already waiting.

Background

The LNP government came to power promising to accelerate housing construction in Queensland. It set a target of one million new homes over 20 years, including 53,500 social and community homes. To speed up development, it has used tools like land activation areas and scrapped affordable housing mandates in priority zones. The state faces a well-documented housing shortage, rising rents, and long social housing waiting lists.

Key Perspectives

Resident (Kim Weston): Supports more housing but wants density matched to local infrastructure. Experiences government engagement as insufficient, feeling her community's concerns are not being heard. Government (Premier Crisafulli, Minister O'Connor): Stands by the ambitious target, pointing to rising construction activity and a pipeline of projects. Argues that development near transport and services is appropriate, and that mandates can kill viable projects. Blames federal tax changes for potential slowdowns. Industry (Master Builders Queensland): Considers the target essential but warns that a shortage of 20,000 tradespeople is the biggest impediment. Calls for more focus on skilled migration and apprenticeships. Social-housing advocates (QCOSS): Praise the social housing commitment but say the current approach is too narrow. Urge the government to reimpose affordable housing targets for priority developments and to broaden eligibility criteria, which have not changed in 20 years.

What to Watch

The impact of federal housing tax changes on quarterly construction starts under the ABS.
Annual housing completions against the 50,000 benchmark in the 2027–28 financial year.
Government action on workforce: upskilling, migration, and apprenticeship targets.
Future movement in the social housing register and any reforms to eligibility.

Sources

Queensland's plan for one million new homes leaves some feeling squeezed out · Latest business news
Queensland's plan for one million new homes leaves some feeling squeezed out · Just In

Checked

12 claims in this story checked against 1 source: 9 supported.

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Partly supportedIndustry and community groups question whether Queensland's one-million-home target can be met without more workers and a broader social-housing vision.Latest business news: “Mr Hopkins described building 50,000 homes a year for two decades as "bold" but said it was important to get industry and government working together towards increasing supply.”
SupportedThe Queensland government remains committed to building one million homes in 20 years.Latest business news: “Despite this, the government's not backing down.”
SupportedKim Weston is leaving Banyo before a 450-home development is built on her street.Latest business news: “Kim Weston has moved three times within her Brisbane suburb over 10 years but is leaving for good before a 450-home development is built on her street.”
SupportedOnly 34,627 homes were completed last financial year, short of the 50,000 needed annually until 2044.Latest business news: “But the completion of 34,627 homes in the last financial year falls well short of the 50,000 needed each year until 2044 to meet its promise.”
SupportedThe LNP is marking two years in office.Latest business news: “As it marks two years in office, the LNP has touted a 35 per cent rise in the rate of homes under construction in Queensland.”
Partly supportedPremier David Crisafulli welcomed the 35 per cent rise in the rate of homes under construction.Latest business news: “As it marks two years in office, the LNP has touted a 35 per cent rise in the rate of homes under construction in Queensland.”
SupportedCrisafulli warned that home construction may cool because of federal housing tax changes.Latest business news: “However, he warned this would be a "buttress", expecting the sector to "come off the boil" on account of the federal government's housing tax changes.”
SupportedWeston said, "I know that people need housing, but build according to the site."Latest business news: “"I know that people need housing, but build according to the site," she said.”
SupportedThe former Energex site will contain 207 townhouses, 64 affordable housing units and a 180-bed aged-care facility, with construction expected to start next year.Latest business news: “The 6.4-hectare former Energex site, which has sat vacant for more than 10 years, will be home to 207 townhouses, 64 affordable housing units and an 180-bed residential aged care facility, with construction expected to start next year.”
SupportedSam O'Connor said the government would not apologise for housing there because the site is close to public transport, services and other necessities.Latest business news: “"It is something we will not apologise for because there should be housing in locations like that," he said. "It is very close to public transport, it's very close to services, it is very close to everything that people need for a great life."”
SupportedMaster Builders Queensland deputy chief executive Michael Hopkins said the state is about 20,000 workers short.Latest business news: “Queensland deputy chief executive Michael Hopkins said the state is about 20,000 workers short of what is required, with "more emphasis" needed on attracting skilled tradies and training up apprentices.”
Partly supportedAlmost 42,000 active households are on the social-housing register.Latest business news: “Almost 42,000 active households were on the social housing register at the end of August.”