LOOMING OVER HOMES – EVEN MORE HOMES
The awkward fringe between high-density and low-density housing. This apartment tower is located in the mature inner-city suburb of Kelvin Grove, home to multiple heritage listed homes. PICTURES / DANEKA HILL
The Brisbane City Council is attempting to “save the Brisbane backyard” by banning apartments from certain neighbourhoods.
The aim is to stop townhouses and apartment buildings going up in low-density areas.
Lord Mayor Graham Quick says the action is in response to feedback provided by 100,000 residents during the Plan Your Brisbane campaign.
People said they wanted the growth limited to inner-city areas, transport corridors, and regional business centres.
“Nothing has changed in that regard,” Cr Quick said.
“What they do want though is greater protections in those single-dwelling areas of the city, that’s come through loud and clear and that will be provided.”
“Cookie-cutter” style of townhouses are also being targeted.
“In this blueprint, council has committed to putting a stop to townhouses and apartments being built in areas for single homes, and restrict repeated designs for townhouses to ensure the city retains its unique character,” he said.
University of Queensland Urban Planning expert Dr Dorina Pojani said restricting the type of housing in neighbourhoods had already produced “disastrous results” in the United States.
“It makes neighbourhoods more homogeneous because there’s only certain people that can afford family homes.” Dr Pojani said house prices could be driven “through the roof”.
Property Council Queensland executive director Chris Mountford says while the Council’s new ‘backyard blueprint’ was a positive initiative, a growing population needs diverse housing choices to stay affordable.
“We will need more of all types of housing – from studio apartments to traditional housing, and every housing type in between, if we want to avoid following Sydney’s path to eyewatering levels of unaffordability.”
The Council will be developing a new forum for residents to help direct preservation of traditional designs, like the Queenslander.
Cr Quirk refused to say to the media which suburbs were going to be effected, saying the information “is all there online”.
The newly unveiled ‘Brisbane’s Future Blueprint’ has eight major focuses, one of which is “Protect the Brisbane backyard and our unique character”.
The other seven are to; create a city of neighbourhoods, create more to see and do, ensure best practice design that complements the character of Brisbane, get people home quicker and safer with more travel options, empower and engage residents, give people more choice when it comes to housing, and protect and create greenspace.
Daneka Hill