Gold Coast housing: Proposal to slash suburban block sizes in half to create more homes

A radical plan which would dramatically shake-up the Gold Coast’s property market and mean smaller properties has attracted significant backing. FIND OUT MORE

Suburban housing blocks would be almost halved under a proposal Mayor Tom Tate says would take pressure off the housing market.

Mr Tate wants to reduce housing lots from 400 sqm to 250 sqm, arguing there are many suburbs which have large blocks with comparably small houses which could be subdivided to create more housing.

“For suitable areas where 400 sqm lots already exist we could look at taking them down to 250 sqm,” he said.

“This would provide additional yield, but at the same time, with smart design, still allow for a 3 bedroom dwelling to obtain a similar lifestyle.”

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Mr Tate’s proposal will form part of council’s review of its City Plan.

His proposal comes just a month after a report by the Property Council of Australia and consulting firm Urbis warned the Gold Coast is falling further behind state-set housing targets which call for more than 5643 new dwellings to be built annually.

Mr Tate’s proposal has gained support from the real estate sector, with one senior figure saying more “McMansions” were not the answer.

Real Estate Institute of Queensland (REIQ) CEO Antonia Mercorella welcomed the proposal, saying it was critical the city embrace “more diverse, higher density, and space-efficient housing options” to ensure its housing targets were met.

Antonia Mercorella from REIQ. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

“Smaller lot sizes, when paired with smart design, can still deliver a high standard of living and would be a practical step toward addressing our housing under-supply,” she said.

“However increased density must be supported by the appropriate infrastructure and genuine community engagement.

“There’s a natural tension between the need for more homes and community desire to preserve current lifestyles and service levels and, while many agree we need more housing, there’s often reluctance to see it delivered in their own neighbourhoods.”

Ms Mercorella said it was essential to “challenge long-held preferences for large houses on large blocks, arguing “bigger isn’t always better”.

Smaller housing blocks are set to be considered.

“Australians are building some of the biggest homes in the world, yet the average household size is now just 2.5 people – so those two things seem entirely inconsistent and somewhat ironic,” she said.

“Queensland is now the most expensive state for construction and build times have blown out.

“We can’t continue to prioritise ‘McMansions’ and expect big backyards, when we have land shortages and the market is crying out for more diverse housing options.”

Ray White Group chief economist, Nerida Conisbee. Picture: Supplied

Ray White chief economist Nerida Conisbee said smaller lots created greater opportunities for density.

“It is a good idea because we have a density problem on the Gold Coast,” she said.

“People think of it as just high-rises but that is just a tiny proportion of the stock and right now most of it is single homes on big lots.

“Making block sizes smaller gets you density because you can build more homes and it is easier to get builders and subbies.

“The problem with multi-level towers is that you need to get a lot of pre-sales to get them over the line.”

Originally published as Gold Coast housing: Proposal to slash suburban block sizes in half to create more homes