The Queensland Government declared the Southern Thornlands Priority Development Area on 4 April 2025. The approximately 890-hectare area is bounded broadly by Boundary Road, Mount Cotton Road, Eprapah Creek and properties adjoining Springacre Road.
The declaration shifted responsibility for new planning and development assessment within the PDA to the Minister for Economic Development Queensland and Economic Development Queensland. An Interim Land Use Plan came into effect while the full Development Scheme was prepared.
The interim plan created an early-release Precinct 1 east of Springacre Road where applications could be lodged and assessed. Development in the balance of the PDA remained limited mainly to existing lawful, interim or temporary uses until the detailed scheme was completed. The declaration established the planning framework; it did not itself approve 8,000 homes or commence construction.