Developers will be encouraged to build more student accommodation with demand outstripping supply, says Moreton Bay council.
With a University of the Sunshine Coast campus now at Moreton Bay Central, council has adopted an attraction policy to encourage developers to build more affordable housing.
Mayor Peter Flannery says the policy will allow council to charge lower development application fees and infrastructure charges for the “right development in the right location”.
“This much-needed move will go a long way to addressing the growing demand on our housing market from students looking to study in Moreton Bay,” he says.
“The UniSC campus at Moreton Bay Central has exceeded all expectations with faster than expected expansion.
“Its rapid success led to high demand for student accommodation that the market hasn’t been able to keep pace with,” he says.
“This is a great opportunity to capitalise on rowing demand from local and international students choosing to live and study in Moreton Bay.”
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POLICY FOR DEVELOPERS
Flannery says boosting student housing will also relieve the pressure on rental properties, which has been intensified by student demand for places.
Councillor Jim Moloney says the new policy will support a growing Moreton Bay Central site ahead of the 2032 Olympic Games.
“Moreton Bay Central is home to UniSC and creating investment interest ahead of the 2032 Games,” he says.
“It will become a hub for innovation and economic activity with further expansion of the UniSC site, future development of the Moreton Bay Indoor Sports Centre as a Games legacy facility, and the new Lakes Precinct.”
UniSC Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Helen Bartlett, welcomes the news.
“Student accommodation is more than somewhere to live for our growing student population, because it is purpose-built with their needs in mind, in particular safety, convenience and affordability,” Prof. Bartlett says.
“Many student housing options have built-in security, support services and facilities like study spaces, shared amenities, and social space, and these are especially important for younger students or international students who are adapting to living away from home.”
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