Brisbane City Council has kicked off a review of the city’s low-to-medium residential (LMR) zones in response to growing concerns over housing affordability and we very much welcome this news!!
This announcement came from Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner at a recent Queensland Property Council event, where he flagged the urgent need to unlock more housing opportunities across the city. The mayor highlighted that only 445 homes were delivered in LMR zones across Brisbane in 2023—less than half the annual average seen over the last decade.
That sharp drop has sparked renewed attention on zoning policies and development pathways. With just 14% of Brisbane’s land designated for LMR housing, the Council is now looking at ways to improve feasibility for residential projects in these areas.
“This review isn’t just about loosening planning rules—it’s about making it easier and faster to build homes in places where it makes sense to do so,” the Lord Mayor said.
The move is also a pushback against what Schrinner described as “simplistic solutions” to the housing crisis—such as increasing taxes on landlords and developers, banning short-term rentals, or penalising vacant properties. Instead, the Council appears to be focusing on more structural reforms aimed at improving long-term supply and housing choice for Brisbane residents, particularly first home buyers.
I recently spoke with Kat Feeney on ABC Radio Brisbane about the issue—how zoning affects what can realistically be built, and why a more balanced approach is essential if we want to see meaningful change in affordability. You can catch the conversation here, starting at 1hr 47min.
It’s a critical moment for housing in Brisbane. How this review shapes future development could determine whether our city remains liveable and accessible—not just for today’s residents, but for generations to come.
