Premier Anna Bligh has declared she wants to fast-track development in 17 South East Queensland sites including South East Thornlands and the Kinross Road area to improve housing affordability.

The move has infuriated some Redland City councillors and environmentalists who say checks and balances will be eroded, but developers insist it is a sensible idea that will help meet demand for housing.

Community consultation on a draft structure plan for South East Thornlands has just finished.

The plan, prepared by the former council, suggested opening up land between the Pinklands Sporting Complex and Eprapah Creek for between 3500 and 4000 residents.

The Kinross Road structure plan is still confidential but is believed to propose allowing a similar number of residents in the area, north of Boundary Road at Thornlands.

The Government promised this week to work with councils to “remove any regulatory hurdles” to development in the chosen sites over the next six months, with a team of planners cutting red tape.

Paul Barrett, managing director of Heritage Pacific, which owns land in South East Thornlands, said the plans had been under way for years and demand for housing was strong.

But Deputy Opposition Leader Fiona Simpson said Redland residents would not tolerate growth without adequate infrastructure.

“People sent a strong, clear message at the local government elections and it’s almost like the government says, ‘We don’t care’,” she told The Redland Times.

Redland Mayor Melva Hobson said while she was pleased to see the government fast-track its own planning process, she was “extremely disappointed” the council found out about the decision through the media.

Division 3 Councillor Debra Henry said the government was hiding behind housing affordability to support the development industry.

Division 4 Councillor Peter Dowling said the decision showed councils could be overruled on planning issues.

Wildlife Preservation Society spokesman Simon Baltais said he feared the community would be locked out of the process, while action group UPSET accused the government of ignoring residents.

State Labor Member for Redlands John English said he was “disappointed at the way the announcement was handled”.

Capalaba MP Michael Choi said he understood community sentiment and believed safeguards were needed.