Work crews have moved in at Woodvale Village—bringing the promise of more homes to Forest Lake, and a fresh wave of questions about roads, services, and suburban character.
Construction has started on a $100-million infill project along Woodvale Crescent, which the developer consortium says will deliver 151 new homes for first-home buyers and families.
The local conversation: housing need and neighbourhood fit
It’s a familiar local balancing act: the need for more housing in Brisbane’s south, and the desire to protect what residents value about how Forest Lake functions day to day.
With work now underway, much of the conversation will likely focus on practical impacts—how construction is staged, what congestion looks like during peak hours, and whether infrastructure upgrades can accommodate the extra demand.
Supporters describe the project as a housing-supply boost, while some residents have raised concerns about how additional homes may change the area and whether local infrastructure will keep pace.
“While we are seeing incredible demand for affordable homes in the area, I am intrigued to see how the developer goes with designing a master planned community within another well-designed master planned community. I can only hope that the government also looks to improve the infrastructure to deal with the extra demand.”
What’s being built—and who’s behind it
The consortium, Marquee, Cohere and LHPP, held a sod-turning ceremony at the site. Those attending included Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Queensland chief executive Kirsty Chessher-Brown and consortium representatives.
The homes are described as a mix of three- and four-bedroom terrace-style designs, with the developers saying that smaller lot sizes could reduce prices for incoming buyers. The building partner is Urbane Homes.
Why this project is moving quickly
A key part of the announcement is the approval pathway used. The consortium says the development received support through the Queensland Government’s State Facilitated Development (SFD) process, along with an Incentivising Infill Development Fund (IIFD) grant to help cover infrastructure charges and speed up delivery.
Cohere director Claire O’Rourke says the project is “the only residential subdivision approved under the SFD process” and that the streamlined pathway, combined with the IIDF grant, has accelerated delivery “by 18 months.”
For context, the state describes SFD as an alternative assessment route intended to help deliver projects considered priorities for Queensland, while the IIDF supports well-located housing and can include relief from infrastructure charges.
The consortium says it expects to launch the project to market in March and “welcome our first residents in mid-2027.” Woodville Crescent is close to local amenities, including schools, parks, childcare, Forest Lake Shopping Centre, and public transport links to the Brisbane CBD.
Published 5-Feb-2026
