Lord Mayoral hopeful vows to ‘tip developer pendulum’

Labor’s Brisbane lord mayoral hopeful has promised to swing the pendulum back in favour of residents, making neighbourhood plans binding and not driven by ‘the LNP’s developer mates’.

Labor and the Greens have promised to give more power over development to Brisbane residents. Picture: AAP/David Clark

LABOR’S Lord Mayoral candidate, Pat Condren, says he will “swing the pendulum’’ away from developers and give power back to the people of Brisbane.

“I’m promising a comprehensive review to ensure neighbourhood plans are driven by residents, not the LNP’s developer mates,” Mr Condren said.

He said a detailed Labor planning policy would be released soon.

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The LNP administration has so far offered no major changes, but in November announced a tightening of rules in “emerging community’’ zonings, such as parts of Kenmore, to limit further townhouse development in low-density areas.

The change came too late for opponents of the controversial Azure townhouse project off Moggill Rd at Kenmore, but promised to restrict similar projects.

The Greens have vowed to push for sweeping changes including the end of code assessable development, where residents are stripped of all appeal rights.

They would also make height limits and neighbourhood plans binding.

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“Thousands of residents have asked the Labor State Government to overhaul our Planning Act,’’ state Greens MP for Maiwar, Michael Berkman said.

“I’ll continue to push for key reforms including: making all major developments impact assessable, making neighbourhood plans binding and making height limits binding to end special developer deals.’’

Greens candidate for Paddington ward, Donna Burns said there needed to be a collaborative, sustainable planning system that “values people, community and our environment, instead of just looking after big developers’ bottom line’’.

She said the Greens would also give residents a vote on implementation of neighbourhood plans.

Labor Lord Mayoral candidate Patrick Condren. Picture: AAP/John Gass

Mr Condren claimed the views of residents were largely being ignored in plans “inflicted on them’’ by the LNP.

“They have turned this entire city into a developers’ free-for-all where residents are second-class citizens,’’ Mr Condren said.

“I’ll ensure communities have a strong voice in the development of their neighbourhood. We’ll listen, not just pay lip service.

“I’ll also lift the ridiculous gag order on Community Planning Teams.

“We want them talking up planning and getting communities involved.”

Retired planner Howard Briggs, who helped draft the first regional plan for southeast Queensland, said the State Government had to play a key role as it had overall responsibility for planning laws.

Councillor Matthew Bourke. Picture: Peter Cronin

The LNP also pointed the finger at the state.

“Council operates under the Queensland Government’s Planning Act 2016, which regulates the development assessment process and sets parameters of performance-based planning,’’ City Planning Chair, Matthew Bourke said.

“The state’s Planning Act covers everything from publication notification to disputes and appeal rights.’’

He said Council was committed to improving awareness of development applications with a new alert system for residents.

A Department of State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning spokesman said the State Government comprehensively rewrote the Planning Act in 2016.

“This saw significant reforms introduced, including restoring the rights of the community to object individual developments,’’ he said.

“Councils are democratically elected and entitled to pursue changes to their planning schemes and are accountable to residents for those changes.’’