Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has announced a review into low-to-medium density residential zoning in Brisbane amid rising housing costs.
Currently, 14 per cent of land in the Brisbane City Council area is designated as low-to-medium residential (LMR) density and only saw 445 homes built in LMR zones.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the current low-to-medium density residential zone was underperforming.
“This review is about delivering more homes sooner and where they’re needed most.
“We’re going to focus on areas with existing infrastructure — close to public transport, shops, schools, and jobs — where modest, well-designed increases in housing density can have the greatest impact.
“We will listen to residents, planners, and builders to ensure this process is balanced, transparent, and tailored to Brisbane’s future.
“Brisbane deserves housing solutions that are affordable, sustainable, and well-integrated with our lifestyle.
“This review will help us deliver more homes sooner and ensure our city remains a great place to live, work and relax for people now and into the future.”
The Property Council has welcomed the announcement made by Mr Schrinner at last week’s Property Council lunch that Council will review Brisbane’s low-to-medium density residential zone.
Queensland Property Council Executive Director Jess Caire said the review was a welcome move to respond to the ongoing housing crisis.
“The Property Council welcomes the announcement made by the Lord Mayor as well as the acknowledgement that Council and the development sector need to work together to facilitate more housing supply.
“Brisbane’s low-to-medium density residential zone covers 14 per cent of Brisbane but in 2023 only 445 new dwellings were delivered in these areas.
“In the midst of a housing supply crisis that is not enough and shows that the LMDR zone simply isn’t working.
“It has never been harder to build the homes we need, and we welcome Council’s ongoing efforts to partner with industry to address development barriers and deliver more homes.
“As the Lord Mayor reinforced at the lunch – Brisbane is a city of opportunity, but to fully realise this opportunity we must ensure people have a place to live.
“The Property Council looks forward to providing input to Council as part of their review and continuing to work with them to remedy the barriers stymieing the delivery of new housing,” Ms Caire said.