{"id":"qld:sl-2023-0107","name":"Economic Development Regulation 2023","slug":"economic-development-regulation-2023","collection":"regulation","jurisdiction":"qld","status":"in_force","isInForce":true,"actNumber":"107 of 2023","makingDate":null,"administeringDepartment":null,"currentVersion":{"id":173771,"registerId":"qld-sl-2023-0107-current","compilationNumber":null,"startDate":"2026-04-05","status":"InForce","reasons":null,"registeredAt":null},"sections":[{"sectionNumber":"pt.1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Preliminary","content":"# Preliminary","sortOrder":0},{"sectionNumber":"sec.1","sectionType":"section","heading":"Short title","content":"### sec.1 Short title\n\nThis regulation may be cited as the Economic Development Regulation 2023 .","sortOrder":1},{"sectionNumber":"sec.2","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definition","content":"### sec.2 Definition\n\nIn this regulation—\nrepealed regulation means the repealed Economic Development Regulation 2013 .","sortOrder":2},{"sectionNumber":"pt.1A","sectionType":"part","heading":"Affordable housing","content":"# Affordable housing","sortOrder":3},{"sectionNumber":"sec.2A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Definitions for part","content":"### sec.2A Definitions for part\n\nIn this part—\naffordable purchase price , for a household, means a price that enables the cost of servicing a mortgage for 90% of the purchase price to be not more than 30% of the gross income of the household.\naffordable rent , for a household, means a rent of not more than 30% of the gross income of the household.\nfirst home buyer household means a household that has a gross household income within the range nominated in a housing needs analysis for identifying a first home buyer household for the priority development area in which the household is situated.\nhousing needs analysis means a document called ‘Housing needs analysis’ that—\nanalyses the need for particular types of housing for particular types of households in a particular priority development area; and\nnominates a range of gross household income within which a household may be identified as a first home buyer household or a key worker household for a particular priority development area; and\nis published on MEDQ’s website.\nkey worker household means a household that has a gross household income within the range nominated in a housing needs analysis for identifying a key worker household for the priority development area in which the household is situated.\nlow to moderate income household means a household that has a gross household income of more than 50% and less than 120% of the median household income for the local government area in which the household is situated.\nmarket rent , of housing, means the estimated amount for which an interest in the housing should be leased on the open market between a willing lessor and willing lessee on appropriate terms in an arm’s length transaction, after proper marketing and if the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion.\nmarket value , of housing, means the estimated amount for which the housing should exchange on the open market between a willing buyer and a willing seller in an arm’s length transaction, after proper marketing and if the parties had each acted knowledgeably, prudently and without compulsion.\nmedian household income , for a local government area, means the median household income for the area published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and indexed by the Queensland wage price index published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics.\nvery low income household means a household that has a gross household income of 50% or less than the median household income for the local government area in which the household is situated.\ns 2A ins 2024 SL No. 208 s 3\n- (a) analyses the need for particular types of housing for particular types of households in a particular priority development area; and\n- (b) nominates a range of gross household income within which a household may be identified as a first home buyer household or a key worker household for a particular priority development area; and\n- (c) is published on MEDQ’s website.","sortOrder":4},{"sectionNumber":"sec.2B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Affordable housing— Act , s 7B","content":"### sec.2B Affordable housing— Act , s 7B\n\nThis section prescribes, for section 7B of the Act , housing that is affordable to the following types of households—\nvery low income households;\nlow to moderate income households;\nkey worker households;\nfirst home buyer households.\nHousing is affordable to very low income households if the housing satisfies either or both of the following criteria—\nthe housing is provided for rental by a registered provider under the Housing Act 2003 , schedule 4 at an affordable rent for very low income households;\nthe housing is provided as part of a program, funded by any of the following entities, to support the provision of housing that is affordable to very low income households—\na public sector entity under the Public Sector Act 2022 , section 8 ;\na local government;\nthe State;\nthe Commonwealth.\nHousing is affordable to low to moderate income households if the housing satisfies 1 or more of the following criteria—\nthe housing is provided for rental by a registered provider under the Housing Act 2003 , schedule 4 at an affordable rent for low to moderate income households;\nthe housing is provided for rental at a rent of not more than 74.9% of the market rent of the housing;\nthe housing is provided as part of a program, funded by any of the following entities, to support the provision of housing that is affordable to low to moderate income households—\na public sector entity under the Public Sector Act 2022 , section 8 ;\na local government;\nthe State;\nthe Commonwealth;\nthe housing has a market value that is not more than the affordable purchase price for low to moderate income households in the local government area in which the housing is located;\nthe housing has a market value that is not more than 20 times the affordable rent, calculated on a yearly basis, for low to moderate income households in the local government area in which the housing is located;\nthe housing has a market rent that is not more than the affordable rent for low to moderate income households in the local government area in which the housing is located.\nHousing is affordable to key worker households if the housing satisfies 1 or more of the following criteria—\nthe housing has a market value that is not more than the affordable purchase price for key worker households in the priority development area in which the housing is located;\nthe housing has a market value that is not more than 20 times the affordable rent, calculated on a yearly basis, for key worker households in the priority development area in which the housing is located;\nthe housing has a market rent that is not more than the affordable rent for key worker households in the priority development area in which the housing is located.\nHousing is affordable to first home buyer households if the housing has a market value that is not more than the affordable purchase price for first home buyer households in the priority development area in which the housing is located.\ns 2B ins 2024 SL No. 208 s 3\n(sec.2B-ssec.1) This section prescribes, for section 7B of the Act , housing that is affordable to the following types of households— very low income households; low to moderate income households; key worker households; first home buyer households.\n(sec.2B-ssec.2) Housing is affordable to very low income households if the housing satisfies either or both of the following criteria— the housing is provided for rental by a registered provider under the Housing Act 2003 , schedule 4 at an affordable rent for very low income households; the housing is provided as part of a program, funded by any of the following entities, to support the provision of housing that is affordable to very low income households— a public sector entity under the Public Sector Act 2022 , section 8 ; a local government; the State; the Commonwealth.\n(sec.2B-ssec.3) Housing is affordable to low to moderate income households if the housing satisfies 1 or more of the following criteria— the housing is provided for rental by a registered provider under the Housing Act 2003 , schedule 4 at an affordable rent for low to moderate income households; the housing is provided for rental at a rent of not more than 74.9% of the market rent of the housing; the housing is provided as part of a program, funded by any of the following entities, to support the provision of housing that is affordable to low to moderate income households— a public sector entity under the Public Sector Act 2022 , section 8 ; a local government; the State; the Commonwealth; the housing has a market value that is not more than the affordable purchase price for low to moderate income households in the local government area in which the housing is located; the housing has a market value that is not more than 20 times the affordable rent, calculated on a yearly basis, for low to moderate income households in the local government area in which the housing is located; the housing has a market rent that is not more than the affordable rent for low to moderate income households in the local government area in which the housing is located.\n(sec.2B-ssec.4) Housing is affordable to key worker households if the housing satisfies 1 or more of the following criteria— the housing has a market value that is not more than the affordable purchase price for key worker households in the priority development area in which the housing is located; the housing has a market value that is not more than 20 times the affordable rent, calculated on a yearly basis, for key worker households in the priority development area in which the housing is located; the housing has a market rent that is not more than the affordable rent for key worker households in the priority development area in which the housing is located.\n(sec.2B-ssec.5) Housing is affordable to first home buyer households if the housing has a market value that is not more than the affordable purchase price for first home buyer households in the priority development area in which the housing is located.\n- (a) very low income households;\n- (b) low to moderate income households;\n- (c) key worker households;\n- (d) first home buyer households.\n- (a) the housing is provided for rental by a registered provider under the Housing Act 2003 , schedule 4 at an affordable rent for very low income households;\n- (b) the housing is provided as part of a program, funded by any of the following entities, to support the provision of housing that is affordable to very low income households— (i) a public sector entity under the Public Sector Act 2022 , section 8 ; (ii) a local government; (iii) the State; (iv) the Commonwealth.\n- (i) a public sector entity under the Public Sector Act 2022 , section 8 ;\n- (ii) a local government;\n- (iii) the State;\n- (iv) the Commonwealth.\n- (i) a public sector entity under the Public Sector Act 2022 , section 8 ;\n- (ii) a local government;\n- (iii) the State;\n- (iv) the Commonwealth.\n- (a) the housing is provided for rental by a registered provider under the Housing Act 2003 , schedule 4 at an affordable rent for low to moderate income households;\n- (b) the housing is provided for rental at a rent of not more than 74.9% of the market rent of the housing;\n- (c) the housing is provided as part of a program, funded by any of the following entities, to support the provision of housing that is affordable to low to moderate income households— (i) a public sector entity under the Public Sector Act 2022 , section 8 ; (ii) a local government; (iii) the State; (iv) the Commonwealth;\n- (i) a public sector entity under the Public Sector Act 2022 , section 8 ;\n- (ii) a local government;\n- (iii) the State;\n- (iv) the Commonwealth;\n- (d) the housing has a market value that is not more than the affordable purchase price for low to moderate income households in the local government area in which the housing is located;\n- (e) the housing has a market value that is not more than 20 times the affordable rent, calculated on a yearly basis, for low to moderate income households in the local government area in which the housing is located;\n- (f) the housing has a market rent that is not more than the affordable rent for low to moderate income households in the local government area in which the housing is located.\n- (i) a public sector entity under the Public Sector Act 2022 , section 8 ;\n- (ii) a local government;\n- (iii) the State;\n- (iv) the Commonwealth;\n- (a) the housing has a market value that is not more than the affordable purchase price for key worker households in the priority development area in which the housing is located;\n- (b) the housing has a market value that is not more than 20 times the affordable rent, calculated on a yearly basis, for key worker households in the priority development area in which the housing is located;\n- (c) the housing has a market rent that is not more than the affordable rent for key worker households in the priority development area in which the housing is located.","sortOrder":5},{"sectionNumber":"pt.1B","sectionType":"part","heading":"Categories of development","content":"# Categories of development","sortOrder":6},{"sectionNumber":"sec.2C","sectionType":"section","heading":"PDA accepted development— Act , s 33","content":"### sec.2C PDA accepted development— Act , s 33\n\nFor section 33 (4) (a) of the Act , the following development is PDA accepted development—\na material change of use of premises for a solar farm as defined under the Planning Regulation 2017 ;\na material change of use of premises for a wind farm as defined under the Planning Regulation 2017 ;\na material change of use of premises for a battery storage facility as defined under the Planning Regulation 2017 .\ns 2C ins 2025 SL No. 80 s 6\namd 2025 SL No. 163 s 4\n- (a) a material change of use of premises for a solar farm as defined under the Planning Regulation 2017 ;\n- (b) a material change of use of premises for a wind farm as defined under the Planning Regulation 2017 ;\n- (c) a material change of use of premises for a battery storage facility as defined under the Planning Regulation 2017 .","sortOrder":7},{"sectionNumber":"pt.1C","sectionType":"part","heading":"Provisional priority development areas","content":"# Provisional priority development areas","sortOrder":8},{"sectionNumber":"sec.2D","sectionType":"section","heading":"Provisional priority development areas— Act , s 34","content":"### sec.2D Provisional priority development areas— Act , s 34\n\nFor section 34 (1) of the Act , each part of the State identified as a provisional priority development area on a map mentioned in schedule 1AA , column 2 is declared to be the provisional priority development area mentioned opposite in schedule 1AA , column 1.\nSee section 41 of the Act in relation to the cessation of a provisional priority development area.\ns 2D ins 2025 SL No. 136 s 3","sortOrder":9},{"sectionNumber":"pt.2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Priority development areas","content":"# Priority development areas","sortOrder":10},{"sectionNumber":"sec.3","sectionType":"section","heading":"Priority development areas— Act , s 37","content":"### sec.3 Priority development areas— Act , s 37\n\nFor section 37 (1) of the Act —\neach part of the State identified as a priority development area on a map mentioned in schedule 1 , part 1 , column 2 and declared as a priority development area under the repealed regulation continues to be declared as the priority development area mentioned opposite in schedule 1 , part 1 , column 1; and\neach part of the State identified as a priority development area on a map mentioned in schedule 1 , part 2 , column 2 is declared to be the priority development area mentioned opposite in schedule 1 , part 2 , column 1.\nEach map is available for inspection on the department’s website.\ns 3 sub 2023 SL No. 135 s 3\n- (a) each part of the State identified as a priority development area on a map mentioned in schedule 1 , part 1 , column 2 and declared as a priority development area under the repealed regulation continues to be declared as the priority development area mentioned opposite in schedule 1 , part 1 , column 1; and\n- (b) each part of the State identified as a priority development area on a map mentioned in schedule 1 , part 2 , column 2 is declared to be the priority development area mentioned opposite in schedule 1 , part 2 , column 1.","sortOrder":11},{"sectionNumber":"sec.3A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Expiry date for particular interim land use plans— Act , s 37","content":"### sec.3A Expiry date for particular interim land use plans— Act , s 37\n\nFor section 37 (3) (a) of the Act , the expiry date for an interim land use plan for a priority development area mentioned in schedule 1A , column 1 is the date mentioned opposite the priority development area in schedule 1A , column 2.\nSee also section 40AB of the Act in relation to the expiry of an interim land use plan for a priority development area.\ns 3A ins 2024 SL No. 138 s 3\nsub 2025 SL No. 18 s 3","sortOrder":12},{"sectionNumber":"sec.4","sectionType":"section","heading":"Transitioned UDAs— Act , s 196","content":"### sec.4 Transitioned UDAs— Act , s 196\n\nFor section 196 (1) (a) of the Act , each part of the State identified as an urban development area on a map mentioned in schedule 2 , column 2 is the transitioned UDA, or transitioned UDA as amended, mentioned opposite in schedule 2 , column 1.\nA transitioned UDA is taken to be a priority development area. See sections 177 , definition transitioned UDA and 190 of the Act .\nEach map is available for inspection on the department’s website.\n- 1 A transitioned UDA is taken to be a priority development area. See sections 177 , definition transitioned UDA and 190 of the Act .\n- 2 Each map is available for inspection on the department’s website.","sortOrder":13},{"sectionNumber":"sec.5","sectionType":"section","heading":"Placing notice about PDA development application on land— Act , s 84","content":"### sec.5 Placing notice about PDA development application on land— Act , s 84\n\nFor section 84 (2) (b) of the Act , this section prescribes the way a notice about a PDA development application must be placed on the relevant land.\nThe notice must—\nbe placed on, or within 1.5m of, the road frontage for the relevant land; and\nbe mounted at least 300mm above ground level; and\nbe positioned so it is visible from—\nany road adjoining the relevant land; or\nif the only access to the relevant land is across other land—any road adjoining the other land at the point of access; and\nbe made of weatherproof material; and\nbe not less than 1,200mm x 900mm in size.\nIf the relevant land has more than 1 road frontage, a notice must be placed on each road frontage for the land.\nThe applicant must maintain the notice from the day it is placed on the relevant land until the end of the submission period for the application.\nIn this section—\nroad frontage , for relevant land, means—\ngenerally—the boundary between the relevant land and any road adjoining the land; or\nif the only access to the relevant land is across other land—the boundary between the other land and any road adjoining the other land at the point of access.\n(sec.5-ssec.1) For section 84 (2) (b) of the Act , this section prescribes the way a notice about a PDA development application must be placed on the relevant land.\n(sec.5-ssec.2) The notice must— be placed on, or within 1.5m of, the road frontage for the relevant land; and be mounted at least 300mm above ground level; and be positioned so it is visible from— any road adjoining the relevant land; or if the only access to the relevant land is across other land—any road adjoining the other land at the point of access; and be made of weatherproof material; and be not less than 1,200mm x 900mm in size.\n(sec.5-ssec.3) If the relevant land has more than 1 road frontage, a notice must be placed on each road frontage for the land.\n(sec.5-ssec.4) The applicant must maintain the notice from the day it is placed on the relevant land until the end of the submission period for the application.\n(sec.5-ssec.5) In this section— road frontage , for relevant land, means— generally—the boundary between the relevant land and any road adjoining the land; or if the only access to the relevant land is across other land—the boundary between the other land and any road adjoining the other land at the point of access.\n- (a) be placed on, or within 1.5m of, the road frontage for the relevant land; and\n- (b) be mounted at least 300mm above ground level; and\n- (c) be positioned so it is visible from— (i) any road adjoining the relevant land; or (ii) if the only access to the relevant land is across other land—any road adjoining the other land at the point of access; and\n- (i) any road adjoining the relevant land; or\n- (ii) if the only access to the relevant land is across other land—any road adjoining the other land at the point of access; and\n- (d) be made of weatherproof material; and\n- (e) be not less than 1,200mm x 900mm in size.\n- (i) any road adjoining the relevant land; or\n- (ii) if the only access to the relevant land is across other land—any road adjoining the other land at the point of access; and\n- (a) generally—the boundary between the relevant land and any road adjoining the land; or\n- (b) if the only access to the relevant land is across other land—the boundary between the other land and any road adjoining the other land at the point of access.","sortOrder":14},{"sectionNumber":"pt.3","sectionType":"part","heading":"Plans of subdivision","content":"# Plans of subdivision","sortOrder":15},{"sectionNumber":"sec.6","sectionType":"section","heading":"Process for approving plans of subdivision— Act , s 104","content":"### sec.6 Process for approving plans of subdivision— Act , s 104\n\nFor section 104 (2) of the Act , the process stated in schedule 3 is prescribed.","sortOrder":16},{"sectionNumber":"pt.4","sectionType":"part","heading":"Temporary use licences","content":"# Temporary use licences","sortOrder":17},{"sectionNumber":"sec.7","sectionType":"section","heading":"Applications for temporary use licences— Act , s 171F","content":"### sec.7 Applications for temporary use licences— Act , s 171F\n\nFor section 171F (2) (b) of the Act , the following matters are prescribed—\nthe applicant’s name and contact details;\na description of the premises to which the application relates;\ndetails of the relevant change the subject of the application;\nthe grounds for the relevant change.\n- (a) the applicant’s name and contact details;\n- (b) a description of the premises to which the application relates;\n- (c) details of the relevant change the subject of the application;\n- (d) the grounds for the relevant change.","sortOrder":18},{"sectionNumber":"sec.7A","sectionType":"section","heading":"Applications to extend temporary use licences— Act , s 171JB","content":"### sec.7A Applications to extend temporary use licences— Act , s 171JB\n\nFor section 171JB (2) (b) of the Act , the following matters are prescribed—\nthe applicant’s name and contact details;\nthe period of the extension sought;\nthe grounds for the extension.\ns 7A ins 2024 SL No. 123 s 4\n- (a) the applicant’s name and contact details;\n- (b) the period of the extension sought;\n- (c) the grounds for the extension.","sortOrder":19},{"sectionNumber":"sec.7B","sectionType":"section","heading":"Applications to amend temporary use licences— Act , s 171JG","content":"### sec.7B Applications to amend temporary use licences— Act , s 171JG\n\nFor section 171JG (2) (b) of the Act , the following matters are prescribed—\nthe applicant’s name and contact details;\ndetails of the amendment sought;\nthe grounds for the amendment.\ns 7B ins 2024 SL No. 123 s 4\n- (a) the applicant’s name and contact details;\n- (b) details of the amendment sought;\n- (c) the grounds for the amendment.","sortOrder":20},{"sectionNumber":"pt.5","sectionType":"part","heading":"Repeal and transitional provision","content":"# Repeal and transitional provision","sortOrder":21},{"sectionNumber":"sec.8","sectionType":"section","heading":"Repeal","content":"### sec.8 Repeal\n\nThe Economic Development Regulation 2013 , SL No. 2 is repealed.","sortOrder":22},{"sectionNumber":"sec.9","sectionType":"section","heading":"References to repealed regulation","content":"### sec.9 References to repealed regulation\n\nA reference in a document to the repealed regulation may, if the context permits, be taken to be a reference to this regulation.","sortOrder":23},{"sectionNumber":"sch.1-pt.1","sectionType":"part","heading":"Priority development areas continued in existence","content":"# Priority development areas continued in existence","sortOrder":24},{"sectionNumber":"sch.1-pt.2","sectionType":"part","heading":"Priority development areas declared under this regulation","content":"# Priority development areas declared under this regulation","sortOrder":25}],"analysis":{"issue_detection":{"absurdities":[],"contradictions":[]},"flash_summary":{"complexity_score":7,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulation repeals the 2013 instrument (s8) but explicitly continues many former PDA declarations (s3) while adding new material scope: income‑based affordable‑housing definitions and eligibility tests (pt.1A s2A–2B); acceptance of solar, wind and battery storage as PDA accepted development (s2C); provisional PDA declarations tied to schedule maps (s2D); and detailed procedural rules for notices, subdivision approvals and temporary licences (s5, s6, s7–7B). These additions expand substantive and procedural requirements imposed on developers and housing providers and increase administrative reliance on MEDQ publications (pt.1A s2A)."},"complexity_factors":["Extensive, technical affordable‑housing definitions and multi‑criteria eligibility tests (pt.1A s2A–2B) with numeric thresholds (e.g. 74.9% of market rent; 20× annual rent).","Multiple cross‑references to other instruments and data sources (Planning Regulation 2017, Housing Act 2003, Public Sector Act 2022, ABS statistics and wage price index).","Transitional and continuity clauses preserving prior PDAs and converting UDAs (s3, s4, s8), requiring reconciliation between old and new instruments.","Spatial dependence on maps and schedules (s2D, s3, sch.1) that shift legal effect to external geographic files.","Operational procedural detail (notice size, placement and maintenance in s5; prescribed application content in s7–7B; approved subdivision process in s6).","Discretion and administrative dependence on MEDQ publications (housing needs analysis on MEDQ website) which determine eligibility bands (pt.1A s2A).","Mixture of declaratory, eligibility, and procedural provisions increases regulatory touchpoints for developers and housing providers."],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation replaces the 2013 Economic Development Regulation while carrying forward many existing priority development area (PDA) declarations. It sets detailed rules: income‑based affordable‑housing definitions and tests, accepted renewable energy and battery storage development in PDAs, procedures for PDA notices and subdivision approvals, temporary‑use licence applications, and transitional arrangements for urban development areas.\n\nIt affects developers, housing providers, local and state agencies: developers face new placement, approval and notice requirements (s5, s6, s7); housing providers and the State face income‑band eligibility and price/rent tests administered against MEDQ’s published housing‑need analyses (pt.1A s2A–2B)."},"flash_summary_failed":{"failed":true,"reason":"A positive credit balance is required for all requests, including BYOK, so fallback providers remain available. Add credits at https://vercel.com/d?to=%2F%5Bteam%5D%2F%7E%2Fai%3Fmodal%3Dtop-up to continue.","source":"analysis-cron"},"kimi_summary":{"content_quality":"ok","complexity_score":5,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The regulation has expanded significantly beyond its original 2023 scope. The original instrument appears to have been primarily procedural (declaring development areas, setting notice requirements, subdivision processes). However, 2024 amendments inserted Part 1A with extensive affordable housing definitions and criteria, effectively converting what was likely a procedural planning instrument into a substantive housing affordability mechanism. Additionally, 2025 amendments added Part 1C creating 'provisional priority development areas' and expanded Part 1B to include battery storage facilities alongside solar and wind farms. The regulation now serves three distinct policy purposes: urban planning administration, renewable energy facilitation, and social housing market regulation."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple overlapping definitions for housing affordability with different calculation methods (30% of income, 74.9% of market rent, 20x rent multiplier, median income percentages)","Geographic inconsistency: key worker and first home buyer thresholds use 'priority development area' boundaries while low-to-moderate income households use 'local government area' boundaries","Cross-references to external documents: housing needs analyses published on MEDQ website, ABS median income data, Queensland wage price index","Nested criteria with '1 or more' vs 'either or both' logical operators creating multiple pathways to qualify as affordable housing","Frequent amendments noted in section history (e.g., 'ins 2024 SL No. 208 s 3', 'amd 2025 SL No. 163 s 4') indicating evolving regulatory framework","Reliance on scheduled maps not included in text (Schedules 1, 1AA, 2) for geographic boundaries","Interaction with multiple parent Acts: Economic Development Act 2012, Housing Act 2003, Public Sector Act 2022, Planning Regulation 2017"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation sets out the rules for developing land in Queensland's Priority Development Areas (PDAs) — special zones where the state government streamlines planning and development to boost economic growth and housing supply.\n\n**What it does:**\n- **Defines affordable housing** for different income groups (very low income, low-to-moderate income, key workers like nurses and teachers, and first home buyers). It sets specific price and rent caps based on household income percentages and market values.\n- **Declares specific geographic areas** as Priority Development Areas and Provisional Priority Development Areas, continuing some from previous laws and adding new ones.\n- **Fast-tracks certain renewable energy projects** (solar farms, wind farms, battery storage) as \"accepted development\" — meaning they don't need full development approval in PDAs.\n- **Sets rules for public notices** on development sites — specifying sign size (at least 1.2m x 0.9m), materials (weatherproof), placement (within 1.5m of road frontage, 300mm above ground), and visibility requirements.\n- **Prescribes processes** for approving land subdivision plans and applying for temporary use licences (short-term approvals to use land differently than its current zoning allows).\n\n**Who it affects:**\n- Property developers building in Queensland PDAs\n- Households seeking affordable housing (by defining eligibility criteria)\n- Renewable energy companies\n- Local councils and state planning authorities\n- Anyone applying for temporary use of land in these areas\n\n**Why it matters:**\nThis regulation directly impacts how much housing costs for vulnerable Queenslanders by legally defining what counts as \"affordable.\" It also speeds up clean energy projects and ensures communities are notified about nearby development through physical signage requirements."},"summary":{"complexity_score":6,"scope_assessment":{"changed":true,"description":"The original 2023 regulation appears to have been a relatively straightforward replacement of the 2013 regulation, primarily dealing with priority development areas, signage rules, subdivision processes, and temporary use licences. Subsequent amendments (2024 SL No. 208, 2024 SL No. 123, 2024 SL No. 138, 2025 SL No. 80, 2025 SL No. 136, 2025 SL No. 163) significantly expanded the scope to include: a detailed affordable housing definitional framework (Part 1A), new categories of accepted development for renewable energy (Part 1B), provisional priority development areas (Part 1C), and extensions/amendments to temporary use licence provisions. The affordable housing additions in particular represent a substantial expansion beyond the regulation's original administrative focus."},"complexity_factors":["Multiple layered definitions of 'affordable housing' with different criteria for four distinct household types, each with different income thresholds and tests","Heavy cross-referencing to parent Act sections (s.7B, s.33, s.34, s.37, s.84, s.104, s.171F, etc.) requiring the reader to consult the Economic Development Act to understand context","References to multiple other Acts (Housing Act 2003, Public Sector Act 2022, Planning Regulation 2017) creating a web of interconnected legislation","Income thresholds for some categories (key workers, first home buyers) are not fixed in the regulation itself but set by separate 'housing needs analysis' documents published on a website, creating dynamic and location-specific rules","Distinction between 'priority development areas', 'provisional priority development areas', and 'transitioned UDAs' adds structural complexity","Multiple schedules (1, 1A, 1AA, 2, 3) referenced but not reproduced, meaning the regulation is incomplete without those documents","Affordable purchase price formula (mortgage on 90% of price not exceeding 30% of gross income) requires financial calculation to apply in practice","Regulation has been amended multiple times since 2023, with inserted and substituted provisions that create a fragmented reading experience"],"plain_english_summary":"This regulation implements rules for Queensland’s Economic Development Act, defining legally what counts as “affordable housing,” formalising Priority Development Areas (PDAs) with streamlined approvals, and fast‑tracking renewable energy projects in those zones. It affects low‑to‑moderate income renters and buyers (including key workers and first‑home buyers), developers, landowners in PDAs, and clean‑energy operators. It matters because it steers where and how housing is built, who qualifies as affordable housing, and accelerates renewable infrastructure rollout, shaping housing costs and urban growth."}},"importantCases":[],"_links":{"self":"/api/acts/economic-development-regulation-2023","history":"/api/acts/economic-development-regulation-2023/history","analysis":"/api/acts/economic-development-regulation-2023/analysis","conflicts":"/api/acts/economic-development-regulation-2023/conflicts","importantCases":"/api/acts/economic-development-regulation-2023/important-cases","documents":"/api/acts/economic-development-regulation-2023/documents"}}