12:39p.m. 4th June 2008

| Suzanne Keen and AAP

Maroochydore, Meridan Plains and Caloundra South are among 17 sites in the south-east earmarked for development by the Queensland government.

Premier Anna Bligh told state parliament today that 42 areas, comprising 40,000 hectares of undeveloped or "greenfield" land, had been examined.

Of those, 12 sites had been identified for new housing.

They are Maroochydore and Meridan Plains on the Sunshine Coast, Market Drive and North Lakes in Moreton Bay, Upper Kedron and Rochedale in Brisbane, Coomera and Helensvale on the Gold Coast, Springfield and Redbank Plains in Ipswich, and Kinross Road and south-east Thornlands in Redlands.

An additional five sites – Palmview and Caloundra South on the Sunshine Coast, Flagstone in Logan, Oxley Wedge in Brisbane and Ripley Valley in Ipswich – were identified as areas capable of housing 15,000 people or more.

Ms Bligh, whose growth plan for the Sunshine Coast has been attacked as unsustainable by local MPs, said the government was determined to tackle the supply side of housing affordability.

"I want the Australian dream to be alive and well here in Queensland, and I want it particularly for young people wanting to buy their first home," she said.

She said a team would be established in the Department of Infrastructure and Planning to bring the sites to market by this time next year.

"Buying a home is one of the most significant investments any of us will ever make. I want to ensure that it remains in the reach of everyday Queenslanders."

The state budget handed down on Tuesday included duty exemptions for first-home buyers and other measures aimed at addressing housing affordability.

However, Sunshine Coast Coalition MPs said Premier Bligh's vision for accelerated population growth on the Sunshine Coast was unsustainable without any extra infrastructure.

Mark McArdle, Fiona Simpson, Steve Dickson and Glen Elmes said residents had sent a clear message at the council election that they wanted growth targets reviewed.

"Growth without infrastructure is irresponsible," Mr McArdle said.

“In yesterday's budget the state government failed to invest in new transport infrastructure for the Coast. Today they announce a plan to fast track growth, including density, which means local council and the wishes of the people will be virtually irrelevant under the Bligh Government.”

Ms Simpson, who is also the Coalition's Infrastructure and Planning Shadow Minister, accused the government of “putting the cart before the horse”.

"Haven't they learnt anything? You have to put the public transport in before the growth or else our roads will never recover from the congestion.

"Under the Bligh infrastructure plan, high-speed buses or a train under CAMCOS won't come to Maroochydore until 2025 but the density will come in the next couple of years. That's daft."

Mr Dickson said Premier Bligh’s plan would not deliver cheaper housing and lifestyles.

“All Coast residents will be paying more, whether it's through sitting in traffic longer or not being able to access appropriate infrastructure and services such as health," he said.