Brisbane is reaching for the stars, with Council ramping up an anti-sprawl strategy to boost housing density around city shopping centres.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the plan would enable more homes to be built close to Indooroopilly and Carindale shopping centres, and Nundah Village, as well as complement existing suburban renewal projects.
“More apartments will be allowed in these locations so more people can live closer to public transport and shops,” Lord Mayor Schrinner said.
“These suburban centres have been chosen because of their excellent public transport, including the Indooroopilly train station, Carindale bus interchange and the Nundah train station.”
He said the plan was in addition to Council’s wider suburban renewal projects, where a recent announcement detailed two suburban renewal projects that would see building heights of up to 20 storeys to boost housing supply.
Lord Mayor Schrinner said the precinct plans for Stones Corner, in the city’s inner south-east, and the bayside suburb of Wynnum, would also unlock opportunities in well-connected areas close to transport, jobs and lifestyle opportunities.
He said the approved Stones Corner Suburban Renewal Precinct plan, which would be sent to the State Government for final review, included up to 20 storeys in key locations, as well as 20,000m² of commercial space.
The draft Wynnum Centre Suburban Renewal Precinct Plan, which would open for a two-month community consultation process from October 7, included up to 15 storeys in key locations and 75,000m² of commercial space.
“These two plans will help deliver more homes sooner while also creating new shops, offices and services to support local jobs and vibrant neighbourhoods.”
He said renewal would also take place in Alderley, with community engagement to start this year and Mt Gravatt, where initial consultation had been completed with a draft version of the precinct plan coming soon.
“Planning work will also soon begin around Westfield Chermside Shopping Centre, the next area set to benefit from the Suburban Renewal Precincts program.”
Lord Mayor Schrinner said current allowable building heights around Carindale Shopping Centre were up to 10 storeys and at Indooroopilly Shopping centre were up to 20 storeys.
“The (anti-sprawl) plan will update the planning rules to make it easier to allow taller buildings to deliver more housing and mixed-use projects close to these well-located centres.
“In Nundah, the existing heights of up to 12 storeys are planned to remain with changes to allow greater flexibility to deliver more residential homes in mixed-use buildings.”
Lord Mayor Schrinner said more than 600 people move to Brisbane every week the city urgently needed more homes while also resisting the sprawl that impacted on bushland and added to traffic congestion.
“By focusing on anti-sprawl, we protect Brisbane’s unique lifestyle while creating opportunity and greater housing choice for the next generation.”
Committee for Brisbane CEO Jen Williams said chronic undersupply of housing was one of the biggest challenges facing Brisbane as it continued to grow, resulting in traffic congestion and car dependency.
“As the population increases, so too does the imperative to shift our reliance on private vehicle usage and boost patronage of public and active transport.” Ms Williams said.
“There is no better way to reduce congestion than by ensuring new homes are built in close proximity to the services residents will need, in locations well serviced by public transport networks that connect them with the rest of the city-region.”
Better Suburbs Initiative Chair Ross Elliott said the evolution of suburban centres allowed them to meet contemporary community needs.
“These centres nearly all started life in planning over 40 years ago as designated shopping centres only – places which people drove to primarily for shopping,” Mr Elliot said.
“Over time, they have added entertainment, medical, and a range of other non-retail uses. Their trading hours have also changed and are now seven day a week activity centres.
“They are increasingly places people want to live near in more numbers, and work near – if we allow it to happen.”
