Council unwavering despite concern over parking rule for multi-dwelling developments

A Queensland council’s policy of a minimum one parking space per unit — regardless of how many bedrooms — is forcing vehicles onto the streets.

Moreton Bay Council has given no indication it will re-examine its minimum parking space requirements for new multi-dwelling developments, after a recent townhouse approval angered residents.

Presently in Moreton Bay, apartment developments in the Next Generation and Urban areas, require one space per unit, regardless of how many bedrooms were in each unit.

Council refuses to budge from parking space requirement

Plans to ‘cram’ 11 townhouses onto a 1500sqm block angers residents

Neighbouring Brisbane City Council last year increased its minimum allocation of parking spaces for these types of developments in its outer suburbs.

The ratios increased from 1.25 to two spaces for two bedrooms; 1.5 to two spaces for three bedrooms; and 1.5 to 2.5 spaces for four or more bedrooms.

Visitor carparking ratios also increased.

Moreton Bay Council declined to comment when contacted by Pine Rivers Press.

Residents in Griffin were angered by a recent townhouse development approval at 287 Brays Rd, that was four 11 units on a 1495 sqm block of land.

Parked cars on Alma Road, Dakabin, near two large townhouse complexes. Photo: David Alexander

Each unit had just one parking space allocated, plus two visitor parking spaces on-site, and there is no space allocated on Brays Rd for overflow parking.

The development was about 3km from the nearest train station.

H Mattison wrote on Planningalerts.org: “This section of road is a main thoroughfare for many Griffin residents. This will become dangerous with not enough parking for residents of the townhouses (most will have two cars with only one garage) and safety issues entering and exciting the dwellings for all residents.”

Approved townhouse development at 287 Brays Rd, Griffin.

“Townhouses and multiple dwellings are popping up throughout the suburb, with many in narrow streets where single dwellings were previously marked to be built.”

The council’s parking policy is embedded in its planning scheme which the new council has stated was up for review.

Though it could be at least two years before a complete overhaul of the planning scheme — which was what the council intended — would occur.

There are reports that developers are increasingly interested in buying up large blocks in suburbs around the Petrie university campus to build multi-dwelling buildings.

Unless the council addresses the parking issue with these types of developments, there is further potential for surrounding streets to become clogged with overflow parking.