The Schrinner Council’s “More Homes, Sooner” initiative will unlock thousands more homes for younger buyers and downsizers in well-serviced middle-ring suburbs.
Building heights, parking and lot sizes will be adjusted to reduce costs and make it easier to build new homes within designated low-medium density residential zones.
The low-medium density residential (LMR) zone makes up 14 per cent of Brisbane’s residential areas and includes small parts of a range of suburbs, including Morningside, St Lucia, Moorooka and Zillmere.
The proposed changes could create up to 6,000 new homes by 2032, sparking the construction of more townhouses, units, apartments and row houses in locations close to public transport, shopping centres and other services.
The plan is part of the Schrinner Council’s anti-sprawl housing approach, creating more homes in established areas close to existing transport and services.
Enabling more homes within low-medium density residential areas will benefit both younger buyers and older downsizers.
Increasing construction costs in recent times have created feasibility issues in the LMR zone and this has slowed down the construction of much-needed homes.
Despite strong demand, many projects in the LMR zone are not stacking up and building work has declined significantly, from around 1,100 homes annually to just 445 in 2023.
While more than half of all households are made up of single people or couples, over 70 per cent of homes in Brisbane have three or more bedrooms.
Changes proposed for low-medium density residential areas under the “More Homes, Sooner” initiative include:
- The allowable building height will increase from 2-3 storeys to 3 storeys.
- In some well-located sites near frequent public transport or shops, the allowable building height will go up to 4 storeys.
- Minimum block sizes will be reduced from 260m2 to 120m2, making it easier to build more homes.
- Simplifying the development assessment process, so developments can be assessed quickly and easily.
Currently, low-density residential properties can be subdivided into 300 square-metre lots if they’re located within 200 metres walking distance of a shopping centre.
This will be expanded to properties within 300 metres walking distance of a shopping centre under the proposed changes.
New design requirements will protect the character of suburbs, including setbacks from freestanding houses, maximum building footprints and space to provide street trees.
Parking requirements will also be adjusted across the city to make it more affordable to build homes.
Parking rates will become more aligned with surrounding councils but will remain higher than they were under the former Labor administration.
Mandating a second space could add up to $82,000 to the cost of a unit outside the inner city.
Residents can share their initial feedback on the proposed changes by searching “More Homes, Sooner” via www.brisbane.qld.gov.au, with formal consultation to commence in early 2026.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner:
“Brisbane is growing fast and all levels of government need to act decisively to boost housing supply.
“We’re committed to an anti-sprawl approach that enables more homes to be built while protecting Brisbane’s incredible lifestyle and bushland areas.
“Our changes will help relieve construction cost pressures and make it easier for younger people and downsizers to find a home in well-serviced middle-ring suburbs.
“If we want young people to have a real chance at owning a home then we need to do things differently.
“Some politicians want you to believe rent freezes, higher taxes and mandatory provisions on home builders will somehow solve the housing crisis. They’re pulling your leg.
“In reality, these policies often backfire and have the opposite effect.
“House prices and rents will only stabilise when more homes are built.
“Things will not magically get cheaper if governments try to tax or bully their way out of the housing crisis.
“Instead, we must focus on increasing options and reducing cost pressures on home builders to boost supply.”
Quotes attributable to City Planning Chair Cr Adam Allan:
“With 96 per cent of all homes built by the private sector, governments alone can’t solve the housing crisis.
“More than 600 people are moving here every week and we’re unlocking housing opportunities in well-located suburbs so builders can get on with creating more homes.
“Kickstarting the construction of new homes is the right thing to do with the limited levers Council has to help solve the housing crisis.
“These reforms are about delivering more homes, sooner and anyone who opposes them is standing in the way of more housing during a housing crisis.”
Quotes attributable to UDIA Queensland CEO, Kirsty Chessher-Brown:
“The Institute supports the work undertaken by Council to consider proposed changes to the LMR zone, as another critical piece in the housing puzzle.
“We said at the outset of the housing crisis that it would take many initiatives and that no stone should be left unturned.
“Importantly, this means also looking at our existing suburbs in light of an evolving and growing city to see how we might be able to accommodate greater levels of housing diversity, with the ultimate aim of providing changes to facilitate people being able to find a home in a place that they want to live, at a price they can afford.”
Quotes attributable to HIA Executive Director QLD Michael Roberts:
“Increasing building height and adjusting the minimum car parking rate will directly assist the industry in tackling the key challenge for small infill residential projects: commercial viability.
“It’s pleasing to see Council recognise that reducing the minimum lot size is a key step in increasing housing choice and a proven way to reduce the cost of new housing.
“These suite of planning reforms will assist industry in constructing smaller, more affordable dwellings, which are often the entry point for first homebuyers and vital for downsizing seniors.
“These changes are a positive step and set a great example for how Local Governments can contribute to addressing housing supply and affordability challenges”.
Quotes attributable to YIMBY Queensland:
“YIMBY Qld have long advocated for reforms to unlock housing supply in well-located suburbs of Brisbane.
“We welcome these announcements as a positive step forward towards more housing, more diversity of housing types, and opportunities for affordability by design.
“Increasing opportunities for housing diversity is an important change for Brisbane’s planning policy.
“YIMBY Qld welcomes the amendments to the low medium density residential zone proposed by Brisbane City Council to unlock more homes sooner.”
Quotes attributable to first home buyer and Moggill renter Emily Heysen:
“We’ve been looking for two years, but buying feels impossible and even rent is getting out of control.
“I work in aged care and see so many older people stuck in big homes they don’t need because there are no smaller options for them.
“These kinds of incentives are really appreciated, because any sort of help towards the housing crisis is a good thing.
“Anything that helps make homes more affordable and gives first-home buyers or older residents more options makes a big difference.”
ADDITIONAL BACKGROUND:
Proposed citywide parking rates, outside the City Core and City Frame areas:
|
Home size |
Current Multiple Dwelling rate |
Proposed City Wide |
Proposed Key Location* |
|
1 bedroom |
1 |
1 |
1 |
|
2 bedroom |
2 |
1.5 |
1.2 |
|
3 bedroom |
2 |
2 |
1.6 |
|
4 bedroom+ |
2.5 |
2.5 |
2.0 |
|
Visitor |
0.25 |
0.25 |
0.25 |
*Key locations can be within 400 metres walking distance to high-frequency public transport or a centre, and must have a sustainable travel plan.
Comparative low-medium density residential parking rates in other council areas:
|
Dwelling size |
Gold Coast |
Moreton Bay |
Ipswich |
Logan |
Sunshine |
Cairns |
|
|
|
1 bedroom |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1.5 |
1 |
1.25 |
||
|
2 bedroom |
1.25 |
1.25 |
1.5 |
2 |
1.25 |
1.25 |
||
|
3 bedroom |
1.5 |
1.5 |
2 |
2 |
1.5 |
1.75 |
||
|
4 bedroom+ |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
2 |
1.75 |
||
|
Visitor |
0.1 |
0.25 |
0.25 |
0.25 |
0.25 |
0.25 |
