Introduction
Queensland is in the midst of a housing crisis driven by population growth, urbanisation, and shifting demographics. One practical reform to address this challenge would be allowing secondary dwellings—also known as granny flats, to be separately titled. While already permissible in many urban and rural areas, these dwellings must remain on the same title as the primary residence, limiting their utility.
Permitting independent titles would enable these dwellings to be bought and sold separately, unlocking economic and social value. It also integrates well with existing land surveying, subdivision, and development application frameworks. This article outlines how titling secondary dwellings can deliver increased housing supply, affordability, economic opportunity, and sustainable development in both urban and regional Queensland.
1. Increasing Housing Supply and Addressing the Crisis
Queensland’s housing supply, especially in South East Queensland, struggles to keep pace with demand. Limited greenfield development, rising costs, and population growth mean alternative pathways are needed. Titled secondary dwellings offer an affordable entry-point for homeowners and first-time buyers, especially in regional areas.
Using Existing Infrastructure Wisely
Secondary dwellings utilise current infrastructure—roads, water, sewage, and power—making them a cost-effective alternative to new subdivision developments. By allowing separate titles, homeowners are incentivised to build and sell these dwellings, organically increasing density.
Proactive Housing Development
Homeowners could unlock capital from their land by developing a standalone, titled secondary dwelling. Currently there is an extensive completed stockpile of existing secondary dwellings, that could be converted to seperate title by simply completing a survey plan and tilting process. This model requires less public funding and complements formal housing strategies. This type of development could also contribute towards infrastructure costs as well as increase the property rates base to support Council funds.
2. Improving Affordability and Accessibility
Secondary dwellings are typically smaller and cheaper to build. Separate titling opens them up to buyers who would otherwise be excluded from traditional property markets.
Creating Entry-Level Housing Options
A separately titled dwelling priced somewhere between $250,000–$400,000 could offer homeownership opportunities to young people, students, and essential workers, compared to unattainable $900,000+ homes.
Promoting Social Equity
Separate titles support broader access to property ownership—especially for low-income earners, single-parent families, and older Australians—enhancing housing choice and reducing inequality.
3. Stimulating Economic Activity
Allowing titling would generate new demand across Queensland’s construction, land surveying, and real estate sectors.
Job Creation and Local Development
Small-scale construction stimulates jobs and supports local tradies, builders, and professionals involved in development applications and property transactions.
Unlocking Land Value
Homeowners could sell a titled granny flat to fund retirement or support family members. The ability to realise value from underutilised land makes property more dynamic and resilient.
4. Supporting Multi-Generational and Flexible Living
Queensland’s ageing population and evolving family structures mean more people want flexible housing options.
Strengthening Families
Titled dwellings enable the transfer or sale of a granny flat to a family member, improving independence while preserving proximity and support.
Ageing in Place
Older residents can downsize into a titled secondary dwelling on a family property, avoiding institutional care while retaining autonomy.
5. Promoting Sustainable Urban Development
Unchecked urban sprawl is straining infrastructure and the environment. Titled secondary dwellings support smart growth.
Densification Without Disruption
Allowing titling encourages infill development in existing suburbs. It reduces pressure on the urban fringe and supports a more connected community.
Lower Environmental Impact
Secondary dwellings typically use less energy and water. Located in serviced urban areas, they reduce reliance on cars, helping lower carbon emissions and infrastructure costs.
6. Enhancing Property Rights and Legal Clarity
The current requirement that secondary dwellings remain under the same title is outdated. A clearer system of ownership benefits all stakeholders.
Modernising Titling Structures
Independent titles offer transparency in sales, ownership, and lending. A simple community title scheme—with defined exclusive-use areas such as gardens areas—can support legal and practical clarity. These structures can be standardised through local and state development applications and regulations.
Improving Access to Finance
Banks are more willing to finance titled properties, boosting housing finance options for owners, buyers and developers alike.
7. Implementation and Risk Management
Successful reform will require coordination across government, industry, and communities.
Infrastructure and Amenity Planning
Councils can use current planning instruments to ensure services like power, water, and roads are not overloaded. Connection fees, infrastructure and development contributions can assist in funding Council infrastructure.
Neighbourhood Protections
Design codes can preserve streetscape and limit overdevelopment. Parking and traffic concerns can be managed via planning overlays, permits, and exemptions near public transport.
8. Political Will and Community Engagement
Realising the benefits of titling requires State and Council leadership as well as collaboration.
Stakeholder Alignment
Surveyors, planners, councils, and community groups should work together on public engagement and policy design to support this reform.
Legislative Action
Updating Queensland’s Planning Act, Land Titles Act, and local planning schemes could allow titling of secondary dwellings via streamlined changes—such as enabling Dual Occupancy where secondary dwellings already exist or are able to exist.
Conclusion
Titling secondary dwellings could be one of Queensland’s most efficient tools for addressing the housing crisis. It supports more subdivision opportunities, encourages development at a local level, and integrates with existing titling practices.
This reform would unleash affordable housing for key demographics—first-home buyers, retirees, students, and workers—while supporting urban sustainability, economic resilience, and family wellbeing.
The policy is ready for action. With political courage and smart planning, Queensland can lead the nation in housing reform—unlocking thousands of new homes hidden in plain sight. Now is the time for bold, people-centric housing reform. Titling secondary dwellings is not just a policy tweak—it’s a potential game-changer.
In a recent report by Archistar the Brisbane Metro Area alone could provide 184,660 granny flat development opportunities, 28.6% are within 2km of a train or light rail station and 7.6% are within the same suburb as a hospital – see https://www.archistar.ai/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/CoreLogic-Archistar-Blackfort-Granny-Flats-Report-Oct-2023-v2.pdf
Unlocking Land Potential Opportunities –Contact Tenure Solutions 0423747179 or email eddie.crawford@tenuresolutions.com.au
Recent Comments