The blame game is on over the housing affordability crisis as the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) introduces a development watchdog website in reaction to the property industry’s claim that councils have deteriorated the situation.

The LGAQ said some development industry representatives’ attempts to ascribe housing failures to councils were “outrageous.”

“It is nothing but a smokescreen for the shady practices of some developers,” LGAQ president Paul Bell said.

“Queensland councils and the LGAQ are determined to do what they can to keep housing affordable.”

Also upset by the property industry’s call for developer-led panels to replace councils on development approval decisions, the LGAQ has introduced the website, Dob in a developer.

Cr Bell said the website will contain research on the current state of land supply, housing affordability trends, infrastructure charges, development assessments as well as community attitude to the issues.

The aim of the website, he said, is to expose “manipulation and distortions” in the property development marketplace.

“The LGAQ believes the website will develop as an important mechanism for maintaining best development practices and to expose shonky deals where they exist.

“We believe the public deserves to be given a true picture.”

The results of a Land Monitoring Project, which aims to identify key landholdings and the extent of land-banking in Queensland, are expected to be released soon.

Once released, the results will appear on the website.    

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