Urban Development Areas (UDA) have been declared in Roma, Moranbah and Blackwater in Queensland.
Premier Anna Bligh says the UDAs would result in more than 900 new homes, most of them affordable.
"Declaring UDAs will enable this affordable housing to be fast tracked using accelerated planning powers," Bligh says.
"These projects will deliver not just affordable homes but also a range of housing styles from one bedroom apartments to larger family homes.
"The mining boom has created jobs has it has also put pressure on these communities with houses in short supply."
The Urban Land Development Authority's (ULDA's) will be responsible for planning and assessing development applications in the areas, and in some instances act as developer. The ULDA will work with the three local councils.
The Blackwater ULDA encompasses most of the town, including around 1,800 existing homes and mining villages, commercial and industrial facilities, parks and community halls. The ULDA has identified 25 hectares of useable land that could accommodate 380 new houses.
At Moranbah, land has been identified which could be released within a year to deliver 200-300 dwellings of varying sizes and forms.
The 1,220 hectare UDA will allow the ULDA to work with Isaac Regional Council to plan for the future growth of Moranbah as a result of the resources boom, ensuring there is enough land supply to accommodate that growth.
In Roma, state-owned land totalling 20 hectares about 1.5 km from the town centre could accommodate about 300 new houses. The UDA site includes an established park with the potential to be improved for the benefit of existing and future residents.
The declarations will bring the number of UDAs in Queensland to 10, with four within Brisbane and three more at Gladstone, Townsville and Mackay.
