Brisbane City Council Planning Amendments

Proposed changes to the Brisbane City Plan (2014) would see retirement and aged-care incentives introduced to support the delivery of retirement and aged-care developments in Brisbane.

The incentives would provide developers with an additional two storeys in any zone, which would allow the industry to more easily meet the increasing housing demands of the aging population.

The benefits of introducing incentives for providers allows for a more streamlined approach to building, upgrading and extending residential care facilities and retirement facilities. Brisbane City Council estimates these housing requirements are expected to increase by % by 2027.

Other amendments that are proposed within Brisbane City Council’s ‘Retirement and Aged-Care Amendment Package’ include:

• Broaden the zones in the city where retirement facilities and aged care facilities can be built
• One assessment code to replace multiple codes
• Permit an existing building to change from a retirement facility to an aged care facility or vice versa
• Increasing building heights for retirement facilities and aged care facilities in medium and high-density residential zone areas
• Remove unintended barriers to the establishment of retirement facilities and aged care facilities in desired localities
• Enable retirement facilities and aged care facilities to be located in the same areas
• Allow suitable small businesses, services and facilities to share sites and integrate with retirement facilities and aged care facilities
• Facilitate retirement facilities and aged care facilities in well serviced areas, near existing shops, public transport and key services.

The Property Council has previously expressed support for the Council’s focus on retirement villages and aged care facilities, however, raised concerns with the decision to withdraw proposed amendments that would have made it easier to co-locate retirement facilities on privately owned sport and recreation zoned land.

Amendments to The Ferny Grove-Upper Kedron Neighbourhood Plan are also in effect as of 23 November 2018. Council has passed minor and administrative amendments to City Plan, including minor and administrative amendments to planning scheme policies.

The amendments are intended to:

• Update and reflect the regulated requirements of the Planning Regulation 2017
• Update mapping to reflect current development approvals including Consent Orders of the Planning and Environment Court, and
• Update and reflect current Council policies and infrastructure design standards.

Visit Council’s website for more information on the amendments.