Brisbane Council Plans High-Density Apartments Near Shopping Centers
Brisbane City Council has recently approved plans for high-density apartments near major shopping centers, specifically Upper Mount Gravatt and Westfield Chermside. The new zoning proposals are part of a broader urban densification strategy aimed at developing taller residential buildings in close proximity to public transport.
Overview of the High-Density Apartment Plans
The council’s decision, which received bipartisan support, opens the door for significant residential development in these key areas. The approved precinct plans are intended to leverage the existing public transport infrastructure, with Mount Gravatt situated next to the new Brisbane Metro line and Chermside adjacent to a proposed future Metro line.
Council’s Position on Affordable Housing
Despite the positive reception from various parties, the LNP-dominated council dismissed proposals from the Labor opposition to incorporate affordable housing targets into the precinct plans. Councillor Adam Allan argued that such conditions would hinder the economic viability for developers. He emphasized that 96 percent of housing in Brisbane is provided by the private sector and warned against imposing excessive conditions on developments.
- Councillor Adam Allan: “If you layer on condition after condition to developments, they just don’t get built.”
- Labor Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy expressed concerns that these high-density apartments would come at a steep price, arguing they might only benefit developers.
- Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner echoed this sentiment, advocating for a focus on increasing supply to address housing shortages.
Impact on the Local Community
Critics, including Cr. Jared Cassidy, highlighted the potential for these developments to drive up property prices and rents, thus making homes unaffordable for working families. Cassidy pointed out that luxury units and steep rental costs do not meet the needs of ordinary citizens in the area.
These new precinct plans are part of the council’s comprehensive agenda to promote urban densification. Other regions targeted for similar high-density developments include Stones Corner, Wynnum Central, Salisbury, Moorooka, and Alderley.
Next Steps for the Approved Plans
The Upper Mount Gravatt and Chermside zoning plans will now proceed to the Queensland government for further review. Following this state-level assessment, the council will finalize details on specific rezoning areas and establish guidelines on the allowable height for new apartment constructions.
This initiative reflects a significant shift in Brisbane’s approach to residential development, prioritizing higher density living spaces adjacent to essential amenities and transport links.
