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  • Hi, The documentation provided is excellant. In my view many issues are being addressed and improvements being investigated. The major negative was the issue of doors to carports on front alignments. My view would be no to this as it seems like a start to “walling off” the entire block. Anyway my question relates to if there is ( or should be ) a street by street analysis of potential total cars in a street from various perspectives ie: (a) actual off road capacity, (b) reduction for each wide block into two narrow blocks , (c) presence of wide verges for non legal parking, (d) potential for new opposing driveways leading to reversing collisions, (e) other collision risks from excessive cars. In other words with each approval of a dwelling a revised calculation of theoretical car numbers vs available on and off car parks and vehicle flows both ways through what can be “one way”. Could there be a standard calculation of maximum allowable car numbers per street and new developments checked against this. In my opinion the people population and projected car population without dedicated parking spaces is as significant as other planning issues ( if not more) Can any controls be applied ?

    Hastings asked 10 days ago

    Thank you for your detailed feedback and thoughtful questions regarding the draft Queensland Housing Code (QHC).

    We understand your concerns about car parking, street capacity, and the impacts of development on traffic flow and safety. While these are important issues, elements such as street widths, lot sizes, and subdivision design are determined through the broader planning framework rather than the Housing Code. These factors play a significant role in managing car-related outcomes.

    For this reason, a street-by-street analysis of car capacity was not undertaken for the QHC, as this is more appropriately addressed through other planning processes.

     We encourage you to include your concerns in your survey response to ensure they are formally considered. Thank you again for your input, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have further questions.

    Regards,

    The Queensland Housing Code Team

  • Thanks for copying some relevant answers in reply to my question. The relevance has to be related to: The number of bedrooms in relation to number of on site parks and “overspill” Total number of occupants ( not known but maybe needed to be sometime in the future) The number of available on street parks needs to be looked at in terms of likely demand. Older suburbs with wider blocks and/ or lower numbers of car driver inhabitants and a distance from public transport are best case and maxed out numbers of bedrooms on small blocks probably the worst. I beleive each street needs to have a calculated capacity rating of off street parking and new development to be looked at in this light. As an experiment maybe line mark available spaces in a sample area. It seems there are two choices ahead : a. cars everywhere including on grass verges etc or b. some way of controlling allowable number of cars per block ( or number of occupants) This is a real life issue and presumably needs to be addressed. As far as I know some residential buildings have limits on number of inhabitants but houses don’t. Understandably there are pressures on home owners to provide for children,relatives,friends etc and this is reasonable . If each street had a theoretical “rating” for off street car parking numbers then this could be taken into account with development plans or at least it becomes a known problem. Every time a block is split it would need upgrading.

    Hastings asked 10 days ago

    Thank you for your detailed feedback and thoughtful questions regarding the draft Queensland Housing Code (QHC).

    We understand your concerns about car parking, street capacity, and the impacts of development on traffic flow and safety. While these are important issues, elements such as street widths, lot sizes, and subdivision design are determined through the broader planning framework rather than the Housing Code. These factors play a significant role in managing car-related outcomes.

    For this reason, a street-by-street analysis of car capacity was not undertaken for the QHC, as this is more appropriately addressed through other planning processes.

     We encourage you to include your concerns in your survey response to ensure they are formally considered. Thank you again for your input, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have further questions.

    Regards,

    The Queensland Housing Code Team

  • Hi, Can I ask if there was any representation from the Private Certification Industry when writing this document? As a practising Private Certifier that is actively engaged in the interpretation and application of the current QDC legislation along with having to consult with Local Authorities when submitting referral applications, I would highly recommend close consultation with grass root certifiers that has hands on experience dealing with the setback reduction process. Please feel free to reach out to discuss. I would be happy to provide insight.

    ChrisEaston asked 10 days ago

    Thank you for your question.

    Yes, previous targeted consultation was undertaken with key stakeholders in the building certification sector, including the Australian Institute of Building Surveyors and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors. This input has helped shape the draft Queensland Housing Code (QHC).

    The current round of public consultation is an opportunity to test this earlier work and ensure the QHC is fit for purpose, meeting the needs of practitioners like yourself as well as the broader community.

     We greatly appreciate your offer to provide insight and encourage you to share your feedback via the Your Say survey. Your hands-on experience and perspective as a practising Private Certifier are highly valued, and your input will play an important role in refining the QHC.

    Thank you again for reaching out, and we look forward to hearing your thoughts through this process.

     Regards

     The Queensland Housing Code Team

  • The comparison document states that only one car space will be required under the QHC. However, when I read the QHC, A8.1, it says that each dwelling must be provided with a minimum of 2 vehicle parking spaces. Could you please provide clarity on how many spaces are to be provided

    juanita rodwell asked 19 days ago

    Thank you for your question and for bringing this to our attention.

    Both the Queensland Development Code (QDC) and the proposed Queensland Housing Code (QHC) require a minimum of two car spaces per lot. We acknowledge that the comparison document could be clearer, as it may give the impression that there is a change to this requirement when, in fact, there is not. We will update the comparison document to reflect this and ensure it aligns with the provisions outlined in the QHC.

    Thank you again for highlighting this issue. If you have any further questions or require additional clarification, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

    Regards

    The Queensland Housing Code Team

  • Will there be standardised building provisions available for tiny homes to be built? (<60m2)

    jtakurua asked 19 days ago

    Thank you for your question regarding standardised building provisions for tiny homes.

    The initial focus of the Queensland Housing Code (QHC) is on detached residential dwellings (Class 1a buildings), which represent approximately 70% of all residential construction in Queensland. By prioritising this housing type, the QHC addresses the most common form of residential development and delivers the greatest immediate benefit to the community and industry.

    Tiny homes are often used as secondary dwellings, such as granny flats. Under the proposed QHC, secondary dwellings will not be covered, as the code is focused on the design and siting of primary dwellings on a lot. However, if a tiny home is the sole dwelling on a property, the QHC will apply, and the same design and siting provisions for detached residential dwellings will need to be followed.

    There is the potential for government to consider expanding the QHC to include secondary dwellings and other housing types, although this would require further technical analysis and consultation.

    We value your feedback and encourage you to include any specific examples or concerns in your survey response to ensure they are formally considered as part of this process. Thank you again for your question, and please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have further queries or require additional clarification.

    Regards

    The Queensland Housing Code Team

  • I would as a chartered Architect suggest mandatory Built In Robes in bedrooms and built in storage cupboards be included in the designs of ALL residential housing !!! I do not have the time to register and spend an hour on your survey.

    Chris de Alwis asked 19 days ago

    Thank you for your suggestion regarding mandatory built-in robes and storage cupboards in residential housing. We greatly value your professional insight as a chartered architect and appreciate the importance of adequate storage in enhancing the functionality and liveability of homes. However, the Queensland Housing Code (QHC) focuses on the design and siting of homes—such as setbacks, building height, and site coverage—rather than internal layouts or features, although your suggestion highlights an important consideration for housing design more broadly.

    If you have any further questions about the consultation process, please don’t hesitate to reach out.

    Regards

    The Queensland Housing Code Team

  • are the rules going to be applied evenly across Queensland? and if so wont that effect non city areas unapproperatly and be an all in one egg basket??

    Darcy R asked 23 days ago

    Thank you for your question.

    The consultation process focuses on the technical aspects of the Queensland Housing Code (QHC), which is designed to operate within Queensland’s broader planning framework.

    Local governments develop planning schemes aligned with the State Planning Policy (SPP), to set the vision for growth, housing density, and public spaces in their communities. Developers then use these planning schemes to design neighbourhoods, followed by the QHC addressing the siting and design of individual houses. Importantly, under the current proposal QHC will only apply to councils that choose to adopt it, ensuring flexibility for local governments to decide if it suits their specific needs.

    The QHC is not a "one-size-fits-all" solution. Adopting councils will have the ability to vary certain requirements—such as building height and car parking—where these are tied to local conditions and community expectations. This approach balances statewide consistency with local responsiveness, ensuring the QHC delivers efficiencies and cost savings for homebuyers without undermining the unique character of regional or non-urban areas. We encourage you to provide feedback during the consultation process to help ensure the QHC is fit-for-purpose and meets the diverse needs of Queensland communities.

    Regards

    The Queensland Housing Code Team

  • why cant the survey be broken into 3 or 4 parts? as its a survey not a novel

    Darcy R asked 23 days ago

    Thank you for your question.

    The survey is detailed to ensure all technical aspects of the proposed Queensland Housing Code are thoroughly reviewed. It covers key areas like building height, vehicular parking and local variations to capture feedback from all perspectives—industry, local governments and the community. This comprehensive approach helps us create a balanced, effective code that meets Queensland’s diverse needs.

    We thank you for taking the time to complete the survey—your input is invaluable in shaping a balanced and effective code for Queensland.

    Regard

    The Queensland Housing Code Team

  • Could you please provide details of the draft changes to the Planning Act and Building Acts to suport implementation. It is this complex relationship that causes so much confusion and without this detail it is impossible for anyone to make an informed decision about if flexibility should be supported. Apologies if this has been provided and ive missed it. Could you also advise why class 2 dwelling houses have not been included considering the 2023 planning act amendments allowed two dwellings occupied by two households to be considered a dwelling house. Where one dwelling is located beneath another this should be a class 2 to ensure adequate fire saftey. However these buildings should have the same A&A and design outcomes as class 1a. Given the similarly with 1b rooming accomodation where the mcu is prescribed accepted development under the regs in also wonder why this isn't included.

    JohnX asked 23 days ago

    Thank you for your questions.

    Draft Changes to the Planning Act and Building Act

    Any changes to the Planning Act 2016 and Building Act 1975 will be informed by the final form of the QHC and feedback received through the consultation process. For example, one proposal under consideration is using Plans of Development (PoDs) to streamline building approvals, which would require legislative amendments if supported. Following the consultation process and finalisation of the policy direction, any necessary legislative amendments will be developed and subject to further consultation if required.

    Exclusion of Other Building Classes (e.g., Class 2)

    The initial focus of the Queensland Housing Code (QHC) is on detached residential dwellings (Class 1a buildings), which represent approximately 70% of all residential construction in Queensland. By prioritising this housing type, the QHC aims to address the most common form of residential development and deliver the greatest immediate benefit to the community and industry.

    At this stage, the QHC does not include provisions for Class 2 buildings or Class 1b rooming accommodation. However, following the successful implementation of the QHC for detached dwellings, there is potential for government to consider expanding its scope to include other building classes in the future. Any such expansion would require detailed technical analysis and further consultation to ensure the standards remain appropriate and effective.

    We value your feedback and encourage you to include any specific examples or concerns in your survey response to ensure they are formally considered as part of this process.

    Regards

    The Queensland Housing Code Team