Opportunities to generate further competition in the grocery sector through Queensland’s planning framework

We are reviewing the planning framework and exploring opportunities to generate more competition in the grocery sector.

We developed a Consultation Paper (PDF, 663KB) which was available for public comment. This is an opportunity for all stakeholders to give feedback on the opportunities put forward.

The Consultation Paper included questions to prompt matters to include in submissions.

Consultation closed on 12 November 2024.

Background

Between July 2022–2024, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded a consumer price index increase of 9.6% for food and non-alcoholic beverages. Increased grocery prices contribute to elevated inflation and cost of living pressures being experienced in Queensland and Australia.

The Queensland Government established the Queensland Parliamentary Supermarket Pricing Select Committee (the Committee) to examine the causes and effects of increased supermarket prices and identify opportunities to increase transparency in the supermarket sector for consumers and producers.

On 31 May 2024, the Committee published its Inquiry into Supermarket Pricing (PDF, 1.0MB) and identified eight recommendations. These recommendations broadly relate to five key areas:

  • Strengthening the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct
  • Supporting Queensland’s growers and producers
  • Promoting healthy competition in Queensland’s supermarket sector
  • Supporting Queensland’s regional and remote communities
  • Empowering consumers in Queensland.

The Queensland Government accepted all the recommendations by the Committee.

As a result, we explored opportunities to make improvements to the planning framework in response to Recommendation 4 of the inquiry.

Recommendation 4 states:

“That the Queensland Government reflect on statements provided by industry representatives to the committee and assess the viability of how planning guidelines could generate further competition in the supermarket sector, providing an expanded variety of product and price choice for Queensland consumers.”

Next steps

Consultation closed on 12 November 2024. Feedback is being considered and will inform next steps. This may take time and involve additional research, consultation, policy development and scenario testing.

For more information, please contact bestplanning@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au.

We are reviewing the planning framework and exploring opportunities to generate more competition in the grocery sector.

We developed a Consultation Paper (PDF, 663KB) which was available for public comment. This is an opportunity for all stakeholders to give feedback on the opportunities put forward.

The Consultation Paper included questions to prompt matters to include in submissions.

Consultation closed on 12 November 2024.

Background

Between July 2022–2024, the Australian Bureau of Statistics recorded a consumer price index increase of 9.6% for food and non-alcoholic beverages. Increased grocery prices contribute to elevated inflation and cost of living pressures being experienced in Queensland and Australia.

The Queensland Government established the Queensland Parliamentary Supermarket Pricing Select Committee (the Committee) to examine the causes and effects of increased supermarket prices and identify opportunities to increase transparency in the supermarket sector for consumers and producers.

On 31 May 2024, the Committee published its Inquiry into Supermarket Pricing (PDF, 1.0MB) and identified eight recommendations. These recommendations broadly relate to five key areas:

  • Strengthening the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct
  • Supporting Queensland’s growers and producers
  • Promoting healthy competition in Queensland’s supermarket sector
  • Supporting Queensland’s regional and remote communities
  • Empowering consumers in Queensland.

The Queensland Government accepted all the recommendations by the Committee.

As a result, we explored opportunities to make improvements to the planning framework in response to Recommendation 4 of the inquiry.

Recommendation 4 states:

“That the Queensland Government reflect on statements provided by industry representatives to the committee and assess the viability of how planning guidelines could generate further competition in the supermarket sector, providing an expanded variety of product and price choice for Queensland consumers.”

Next steps

Consultation closed on 12 November 2024. Feedback is being considered and will inform next steps. This may take time and involve additional research, consultation, policy development and scenario testing.

For more information, please contact bestplanning@dsdilgp.qld.gov.au.