Loophole allowing units in low density areas closed

Brisbane City Council has voted to stop townhouses and apartments being built in areas zoned for single homes.

Brisbane City Council has voted to stop units being built in areas zoned for low density housing. Picture: AAP/Angelo Velardo

COUNCIL has moved to stop a loophole allowing developers to buy neighbouring blocks and build units in low density areas.

Brisbane City Council voted to amend the city plan to stop townhouses and apartments being built in areas zoned for single homes.

Townhouses and apartments can currently be built in low density residential areas if they are on sites 3000sqm or larger.

City Planning chairman Matthew Bourke said protecting the Brisbane backyard was one of the “key messages” the council had taken on board from the Plan Your Brisbane survey.

“The changes will put a stop to townhouses and apartments being built in areas for single homes, instead allowing them only on appropriately zoned land such as medium density zoning,” he said.

Opposition city planning spokesman Jared Cassidy said that “in reality” very few backyards would be saved by this change.

“The only thing the LNP are trying to save is their own political skin,” he said.

“We know that only 3% of multiple dwelling development applications are in the low density residential zone across Brisbane.”

Independent Councillor Nicole Johnston (Tennyson) moved a motion for the townhouse ban to also apply in character residential zones.

She said her proposal would stop the citywide practise of pre-1946 and pre-1911 homes being shoved to the front of blocks and their backyards carved up for units.

The motion was seconded by Councillor Kara Cook (Morningside) and supported by Labor and Greens Councillor Jonathan Sri (The Gabba).

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the Brisbane’s Future Blueprint policy did not flag changes to infill housing in character residential and he would not include it in this amendment.

“People need the opportunity to have their say because it affects, quite clearly, their property values,” Cr Quirk said.

How they voted

Independent councillor Nicole Johnston moved a motion to stop multiple dwellings in “character residential zones”

Absent: Ian McKenzie (Coorparoo)

“While I was not in the meeting for this debate, the amendment would not be relevant to Coorparoo Ward as a result of the proposals put forward in the Coorparoo and Districts Neighbourhood Plan.”

Against: Krista Adams (Holland Park)

“The motion was just a political ploy and would not add anything to the existing conditions Council has in place to protect the character of Holland Park Ward.”

In favour: Kara Cook (Morningside)

“This was a sensible motion that delivered real and tangible protection of the character of our local area far beyond what the LNP planned. Our residents want substance not spin.”

In favour: Jonathan Sri (The Gabba)

“I think we need to encourage some infill development but the specific kinds of infill development this council continues to allow is often too close to property boundaries.”

Against: Adrian Schrinner (Chandler)

“Cr Johnston’s ‘thought bubble’ would have back-zoned significant areas of the inner city and sent property values into a dive without any warning or appropriate consultation.”

Against: Ryan Murphy (Doboy)

“Cr Johnston’s amendment was a stunt. Most character zoning in the city bans townhouse development, the exception being ‘Character 2’ which allows it under certain cond-itions in mixed use areas.”