Brisbane City Council sends letters to hundreds of residents saying homes may be resumed for parks

A letter from Brisbane City Council has left hundreds of homeowners in shock and stuck in limbo, fearing their homes are under threat. SEE THE LETTER

Hundreds of Brisbane homeowners were left stunned by mystery letters from Brisbane City Council warning them that their houses could be ­purchased and turned into parklands, at a time when the state is grappling with a housing crisis.

Residents in several inner city suburbs including Aspley, Kedron, Carina, Everton Park and Holland Park West received the cryptic letters this week informing them that their homes had been identified for future “park acquisition and embellishment”.

In Kedron alone, eight neighbouring lots received the notices – including the owners of a brand new home they are yet to move into.

But the shock letterbox drop was understood to be a bureaucratic bungle, with Brisbane City Council forced to apologise and scramble to resend letters to nearly 15,000 property owners confirming no homes would be resumed.

Letters specifically regarding “newly identified parks for Brisbane’s long-term future” were sent out to 875 property owners to inform them of draft changes to the council’s Local Government Infrastructure Plan.

One of the letters said the properties were identified for “park acquisition and embellishment” with an estimated completion of 2031-2036.

Kedron resident Don, who asked to be identified by his first name only, said that the letter had caused his family considerable anxiety.

Matt, Amanda Edwards and their son pictured from Bunny street, Everton Park received a letter. Picture David Clark

“My wife certainly found it rather anxious when we started going through it,” he said.

“We have all seen anecdotal reports on the housing crisis, which is anticipated to get worse as more people are moving to Queensland,” Don said.

“So removing housing at this point doesn’t make sense considering how difficult it is for owners and renters.

“Most of the houses in Kedron have backyards, so what’s the incentive to go to a park?”

Homeowner Bruce Kluck, who has lived at Mayfair St, Carina for about 30 years, also received a letter.

“I think it’s bloody crazy,” Mr Kluck said.

“We need to know why they came to this decision.”

A property on Gourlay Street, Kedron, whose owner received a letter warning it may be purchased by Brisbane City Council to make way for parkland. Picture: Richard Walker

A Brisbane City Council spokeswoman said that the letters to residents were “regrettable” and “ambiguous” and that council officers would issue follow-up letters.

The spokeswoman insisted the council would not resume residential homes for parks while the state was in a housing crisis. “Council officers will be writing to reassure them there are no plans to resume their home for new parks,” the spokeswoman said.

“The state government requires councils to draft long-term infrastructure plans and inform residents of proposed changes.

“When purchasing land for parks, council’s normal process is to acquire properties with the agreement of owners, however this won’t occur during a housing crisis.”

A copy of a letter sent to a resident in Kedron.

Another house on Gourlay Street, Kedron. Picture: Richard Walker

Bruce Kluck from Mayfair street, Carina received a letter. Picture David Clark

Homes in Murch street, Everton Park, where letters have been sent. Picture David Clark