What is the South East Queensland Regional Plan? From public infrastructure to housing planning and a changing population, the draft Shaping SEQ 2023 update will guide the region's development over the coming decades.
South East Queensland is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia. The South East Queensland Regional Plan plays a vital role in managing this growth and how your voice can help shape the future for generations to come.
Where, what and who does the South East Queensland Regional Plan cover?
South East Queensland (SEQ) covers 12 local government areas including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.
The region continues to experience significant population growth and the way we live and work is changing rapidly. By 2036, the state’s population is projected to increase by 2013 million people; this means more than one million new Queenslanders.
It's easy to see why SEQ is a popular destination. The area offers an incredible lifestyle and a strong economy that supports a wealth of jobs and business opportunities.
How do we plan for growth in Queensland?
Given the rapid growth, there is an urgent need to address the challenges of managing and shaping the future development of the SEQ region.
This is where the regional plan comes in. Shaping SEQ, serves as a strategic framework to manage growth and provide adequate housing supply (and choice) in the region.
To fully capitalize on the opportunities that growth offers and ensure there are enough homes – and the right kind of homes – for everyone, we must plan in the right way. We must build a strong foundation for economic development and livable communities that meet the future needs of our growing and changing population.
Sustainable Development
One of the key objectives of the South East Queensland Regional Plan is to promote sustainable development.
Sustainable development means meeting the urgent needs for housing, infrastructure and transport today without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The South East Queensland Regional Plan will focus on creating a balance between economic growth, environmental protection and social well-being to ensure a high quality of life for current and future Queenslanders.
More than just housing…
The region’s substantial population growth means that careful planning is required to accommodate housing, infrastructure and public services.
Shaping SEQ not only considers land availability, growth challenges, and the need for diverse housing options, but also works to protect our beautiful and abundant natural resources, such as national parks, cultural sites, and World Heritage areas, by designating protected areas and promoting responsible land use practices.
To support the region's growth, a connected and efficient transport network is also crucial. This is why effective regional plans require integrated transport planning, including public transport, cycle and walking paths, and road networks. Such measures help reduce congestion, enhance connectivity, and limit environmental impacts.
What about the economy?
The regional plan also recognises the importance of promoting economic growth and job creation. It encourages the development of diverse industries, including innovation hubs, attracting investment to Queensland and supporting small businesses to ensure a strong and resilient economy.
What is the South East Queensland regional plan?
From public infrastructure to planning for housing and changing populations, the draft ShapingSEQ 2023 update will guide the development of an area for decades to come.
South East Queensland is one of Australia's fastest growing regions. The South East Queensland Regional Plan plays a crucial role in how growth is managed and how your say can help shape the future for many generations to come.
Where, what and who does the South East Queensland Regional Plan cover?
South East Queensland (SEQ) covers an area consisting of 12 local government areas including Brisbane, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba.
The area continues to experience significant population growth, and the way we live and work is changing rapidly. By 2036, the state's population is expected to climb by 20 per cent; that's more than one million new Queenslanders.
It's not hard to see why SEQ is a go-to destination. The area offers an incredible lifestyle and a strong economy that supports plenty of jobs and business opportunities.
How do we plan for Queensland's growth?
Given the rapid growth, there is a huge demand to address the challenges associated with managing and shaping the future development of the SEQ region.
This is where the regional plan comes into play. ShapingSEQ, acts as a strategic framework to manage growth and enable sufficient housing supply (and choice) across the region.
To make the most of the opportunities that growth provides and ensure there is enough housing – and the right housing – for everyone, it is critical that we plan for it in the right way. We must lay strong foundations for economic development and liveable communities that will meet the future needs of our growing and changing population.
Sustainable development
One of the major objectives of the South East Queensland Regional Plan is to promote sustainable development.
Sustainable development means that the immediate needs for housing, infrastructure and transport are met without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The South East Queensland Regional Plan will focus on creating a balance between economic growth, environmental protection, and social well-being to ensure a high quality of life for current and future Queenslanders.
Not just housing…
The substantial population growth across the region means careful planning to accommodate housing, infrastructure, and public services.
ShapingSEQ not only takes into account land supply, growth challenges, and demand for diverse housing options but it also seeks to protect our beautiful rich, natural resources such national parks, cultural sites and World Heritage-listed areas by designing conservation areas and promoting responsible land use practices.
A well-connected and efficient transportation network is also vital to sustain the region's growth. That's why an efficient Regional Plan captures need for integrated transport planning, including public transport, cycling and walking paths, and road networks. Such measures reduce congestion, enhance connectivity, and limit environmental impacts.
How about the economy?
A Regional Plan also recognizes the importance of fostering economic growth and job creation throughout the region. It encourages the development of diverse industries, including innovation hubs, attracting investment to Queensland, and supporting small businesses to ensure a strong and resilient economy.
Have your say about ShapingSEQ
The draft ShapingSEQ 2023 update has now been released and is open for public consultation. It's now more important than ever to have your say and ensure that ShapingSEQ best represents the interests of your local community.




