Brisbane is fast becoming a city of apartment dwellers and self-contained villages as it grapples with population growth and economic maturity.
The RSM Leading Cities – Brisbane report, which will be launched on Tuesday, says the image of a “big town” with sprawling quarter-acre blocks is changing rapidly.
It cites research showing detached housing (as a proportion of total dwelling stock) will fall from 60 percent to 26 percent by 2046.
RSM Brisbane Managing Partner Steve Healey said the “Big Brisbane Bunch-up” was accelerating.
“Our population is gravitating towards apartment living in areas that are self-contained and localised,” Mr Healey said.
“In many respects, we are moving toward a denser, mixed use urban form, with self-reliant neighbourhoods and more tower developments featuring retail and services at street level and residences above.
“This is something that appeals to younger people and those who do not want the maintenance lifestyle of their parents.”
Mr Healey said economic and population growth would create more opportunities for a 24-hour economy, and to use the river more effectively for recreation and entertainment.
In the past few weeks, Brisbane City Council has announced proposed height limit increases (up to 30 storeys in some cases) in major urban hubs that are well serviced by transport and commercial services.
In the report, Suburban Futures Director Ross Elliott said in 20 years the population increases would be such that the days of travelling across town to shop, for example, would be unnecessary.
“You won’t need to travel as everything will be available locally,” Mr Elliott said.
“I see this as a good thing – a stronger sense of the ‘local’ community, with stronger local connections.”
Urbis Managing Partner James Tuma said in the report that Brisbane was uniquely placed to accelerate its development as the world’s leading sub-tropical city.
“Brisbane lifestyle has always been linked to its resident’s ability to access great places, good jobs, memorable experiences, and the local community,” he said.
“The art of seizing the exponential investment and change associated with the Games but keeping the essence of who we are as a city, is both a physical and social challenge.”
Mr Tuma said above-trend investment in transport and mobility infrastructure, sports and wellness facilities, housing, and open spaces would change the shape of the city and the way people moved around it.
“Great communities tend to be clustered closely together, facilitating neighbourly interactions, easy access to services and facilities, and creating the critical mass required to support great transport outcomes,” he said.
“They are also distinctive, or ‘charming,’ exuding qualities that are unique to that community – which could be about local retailers, cultural expression, or unique architecture, and landscapes.”
Also in the report, Springfield City Group CEO Raynuha Sinnathamby said the legacy of the Games created a chance for Brisbane to become an aspirational destination for young people.
“A single visit – whether to compete, study, or simply experience the city’s iconic lifestyle – can spark a lifelong bond with the city,” Ms Sinnathamby said.
Other highlights of the report include:
- Brisbane is embracing new technologies to enable hybrid work, global collaboration, and transformative innovation as a new era of artificial intelligence reshapes the corporate landscape.
- Brisbane will need to leverage all of its strengths to be competitive in the global race for top talent. Thankfully, it has a world-class education, research and talent ecosystem; and innovation is happening through close collaboration between universities, industries and government.
- All indicators point to a strong upward trajectory in economic growth for Brisbane beyond 2032, fuelled by population growth and a diversifying business base.
- There is much discussion about how Brisbane can leverage its natural assets, growing lifestyle credentials and friendly, welcoming reputation as drivers of economic potential.
RSM is an international accounting and financial firm that established a base in Brisbane 13 years ago.
