Property Council responds to planning proposals

Over recent weeks the Property Council has provided the industry’s response to a number of planning changes proposed by Brisbane City Council, and the State Government’s proposed neighbourhood design code.

Brisbane City Council Major Amendment Packages

The Property Council has provided submissions to Brisbane City Council on three amendment packages that have recently been subject of public consultation. 

Citywide update – Restricting townhouses from single-home areas (Major amendment package H)

In response to these proposals, the Property Council’s submission outlined the long term growth and affordability challenge facing the city and the likely impact of the proposed townhouse ban. Analysis contained in the submission has determined that the likely impact of the proposal would be a reduction in direct and indirect jobs of 322 per year, and a $42 million impact to the Queensland economy. The Property Council has recommended that the amendment be abandoned.

Citywide update – Increased car parking for suburban multiple dwellings (Amendment package J)

Utilising case study analysis, the Property Council’s submission outlined how the proposed amendments would overwhelmingly increase the cost of residential development in Brisbane. 

The Property Council has argued that additional parking requirements will encourage more private vehicle usage which will place increased pressure on an already congested road network, dramatically increase the cost of housing and stifle multi-unit housing development. The retention of existing car parking provisions in the Brisbane City Plan 2014 was recommended.

Citywide update – Major amendment package C

The Property Council’s submission called on Council to re-instate distribution and logistics uses from the Medium Impact Industry definitions, which are proposed to be removed through Major Amendment Package E (which was consulted on in April 2019). This approach would be consistent with the Council’s Industrial Strategy objective to support logistics/distribution uses in the general industry C zone.

State Government Draft Neighbourhood Design Code

The Queensland Government has concluded a public consultation on a new model code for neighbourhood design, which aims to ensure new residential development is walkable, connected and has a high level of access to parks and public open space.

The Property Council has provided a submission to this consultation, flagging significant concerns with the proposals. 

Provisions contained within the draft code were highlighted as too prescriptive when considering the range of factors that impact development outcomes across Queensland, including topography, density, customer preferences, as well as State and Local Government legislative and planning requirements.  

Concerns were also raised that in instances where compliance with the mandatory provisions are unachievable, land will be sterilised from development. 

The Property Council opposes the mandatory application of elements of the model code and recommended further consultation from the Department. After considering feedback, the Government is expected to announce its proposed approach in October or November 2019.