Industry Leaders UNITE to Tackle Southeast Queensland’s Housing Challenges

WORDS: Steve Hunt, Founder & CEO, Media Hunt PHOTOGRAPHY Brian Usher - www.ocenroadmagazine.com.au 0412 910 857

 Inside the High-Level Roundtable Shaping the Future of Housing Across Southeast Queensland

As Southeast Queensland grapples with rapid population growth, constrained housing supply and mounting affordability pressures, the fourth edition of Ocean Road’s Around the Table forum brought together leading minds across government, planning, development and construction for a high-level exchange of ideas.

Hosted by Brian Usher, publisher of ‘Ocean Road’ Magazine & ‘future Residence’ Magazine and Media Hunt MD Steve Hunt – the exclusive roundtable unfolded at Videre Restaurant, RACV Royal Pines Resort, bringing together some of Queensland’s most influential voices in government, planning, development and construction. Queensland’s Minister for Housing and Public Works, Sam O’Connor MP, joined as keynote speaker, with Steve Hunt serving as MC.

THE GUESTS

Sam O’Connor MP

Queensland Minister for Housing and Public Works (Keynote speaker)

Mark Hammel

Deputy Mayor of the City of Gold Coast

Patrick Hefferan

Director of Urbis

Mark Girard

Invest Gold Coast

John Kearney

Director of Greyburn Contractors and Immerse Developments

Brook Monahan

Founder & Managing Director of Mosaic Property Group

Michael Loney

Managing Director of Ausbuild

Tony Cannon

Gold Coast developer and founder of Komune Resort

Matt Thomas

City Plan Divisional Advisor, Gold Coast City Council

Peter Gleeson

Walker Group

James Nikiforides

Niecon

Jamie Bourke

Bourke Projects

Alex Wood

Bastion Group

Pip Wood

Bastion Group

Brad McMahon

SPG Land

Ying Rao

CEO of SPG Land

Matt George

Urban Activation

Georgia Miller

Urban Activation

Cindy Paterson

W Events Group

Lewis Stewart

Today Media

Simon Kent

Today Media

Sam Nahuyen

Today Media

Annie Hourahane

Media Hunt

Steve Hunt

Managing Director of Media Hunt (MC)

Brian Usher

Publisher of Ocean Road Magazine and ‘future Residence’

 THE VENUE

The forum was held in the private dining room of Videre Restaurant at RACV Royal Pines Resort, a setting known for its panoramic outlook across the Gold Coast skyline and hinterland. The elevated, relaxed surrounds provided a fitting backdrop for high-level conversation among industry leaders.

RACV Royal Pines continues to evolve its offering for high-end business and lifestyle events, combining best-in-class hospitality with a growing focus on flexible conferencing, elevated menus and standout venues such as Videre and Arakawa.

THE MENU

Appetiser

Hand stretched flat bread with stracciatella, fig, pistachio, hot honey

Entrée

Porcini mushroom tortellone, wood ear, truffle pecorino, pinenut cream

Main

Grass beef tenderloin, potato millefoglie young spinach olive tapenade, jus

Dessert

Crema Catalina, flavoured with cinnamon, lemon, almond wafter

Beverages

Mumm Marlborough, Sons of Eden Freya Riesling, PHI Chardonnay, PHI Grenache Amphora, Pepper Jack Shiraz, Byron Bay Lager, Stone & Wood Pacific Ale, Boags Light, Heineken 0.0

THE CONVERSATION

The forum was opened and led by Steve Hunt, Managing Director of Media Hunt, who served as MC for a wide-ranging discussion on the most pressing issues shaping the housing sector and the region’s future growth trajectory. Queensland’s Minister for Housing and Public Works, Sam O’Connor MP, delivered the keynote, with panellists spanning state and local government, planning, development and construction.

A recurring theme throughout the afternoon was the significant improvement in collaboration between State and local government over the past 18 months. Panellists broadly agreed that stronger alignment between the Queensland Government and local councils has created a more cohesive and constructive approach to addressing some of the region’s most pressing housing challenges.

Discussion focused on accelerating housing supply, improving affordability, releasing additional land for development, streamlining planning processes and ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with population growth. While participants acknowledged that significant challenges remain, there was growing confidence that a more collaborative approach between all levels of government and industry is helping to remove barriers that have historically constrained housing delivery.

One issue that generated considerable discussion was the cost to ratepayers associated with Planning and Environment Court appeals. It was noted that millions of dollars in public funds – estimated by some attendees to be as much as $10 million in certain cases – have been spent defending matters where development applications had been recommended for approval by professional council planning officers but subsequently rejected by elected councillors.

There was broad consensus that, at a time when inflationary pressures and rising rates continue to impact households, unnecessary expenditure of public funds should be minimised wherever possible, and that planning decisions should be guided by sound policy and expert assessment.

The panel also explored the influence of political self-interest and community opposition to development – commonly referred to as “NIMBYism” (Not In My Back Yard) – as contributing factors in limiting housing supply and slowing the delivery of much-needed homes. While acknowledging the importance of community consultation, participants agreed that balancing local concerns with the broader need to house a growing population remains one of the most significant challenges facing Southeast Queensland.

The event formed part of ‘future Residence’ Magazine’s ongoing commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue between government, industry and the community around the future of housing, urban development and sustainable growth.

“As Southeast Queensland continues to experience unprecedented population growth, bringing together decision-makers and industry leaders to have honest and constructive conversations has never been more important,” said Steve Hunt. “The consensus around the table was clear – collaboration between government and industry is improving, and while there is still much work to do, there is genuine momentum towards addressing the housing challenges facing our region.”‘future Residence’ Magazine, Ocean Road Magazine and Media Hunt will continue facilitating these important industry discussions as Queensland navigates one of the most significant periods of growth in its history.