Parts of Oxley, alongside 17 other Brisbane suburbs, are set to see buildings increase to five storeys in height from the current two or three, as authorities aim to tackle a severe housing affordability crisis by adding 6,000 new dwellings in the next five years.
The Lord Mayor announced the review on Wednesday, indicating that community consultation would begin soon, with the goal of implementing changes within a year.
Brisbane is currently ranked as the 13th least affordable city globally, a situation largely attributed to a significant lack of housing supply. In the low-to-medium residential (LMR) density zones, which cover 14 per cent of the city, dwelling approvals plummeted to just 445 two years ago, a sharp drop from the previous 10-year average of over 1,110 homes built annually in these areas.
Boosting Housing Supply
The proposed changes will allow for higher height limits and smaller lot sizes, potentially shrinking from a minimum of 400 square metres to 300 square metres. These adjustments are specifically targeting areas close to essential infrastructure, such as shopping centres, bus and train stations, and major roads.
Lord Mayor Schrinner stated that increasing housing supply is the most realistic solution to affordability issues, dismissing ideas like limiting short-stay accommodation or taxing vacant properties as overly simplistic and potentially harmful. He emphasised the need to “get more homes faster” and improve the feasibility of development to expand housing choices for residents, including first-home buyers.
Oxley’s Role in Development
Oxley, located approximately 11 kilometres southwest of the Brisbane CBD, is considered a prime location for increased density due to its proximity to the Oxley railway station and major transport corridors. The existing Darra—Oxley District Neighbourhood Plan already aims for growth in residential choice and multiple dwellings, especially around public transport.
Furthermore, the 19-hectare Oxley Priority Development Area (PDA), declared in 2018, is specifically designed to facilitate economic development and new homes. Projects like “Songbird” within this PDA align with the vision for a new residential community, including retirement living and community facilities.
The ongoing $100 million Oxley Creek Transformation project, which revitalises the creek corridor with green spaces, is also seen as supporting higher-density living by enhancing local amenity.
Industry and Community Perspectives
The announcement has been largely welcomed by the property development industry, including the Property Council, which called it a “welcome move” during the ongoing housing crisis. Urban design and planning experts also supported the initiative, stressing that thoughtful design is crucial to achieve positive outcomes while increasing housing supply. They believe that traditional Queenslander homes and character areas in suburbs like Paddington and Auchenflower are unlikely to be impacted.
However, concerns have been raised about the capacity of the construction sector to meet the demand for new homes. Master Builders Queensland stated that there is an insufficient number of qualified workers to build the required homes for Brisbane’s growing population, which added 73,000 people in 2023-2024 alone.
The Australian Institute of Architects also highlighted the importance of good design to avoid public pushback, ensuring new developments contribute to liveable communities with adequate privacy, safe streets, and appealing aesthetics.
The Real Estate Institute of Queensland noted a shift in public sentiment, suggesting a growing understanding and acceptance that higher density is necessary to address the housing problem. Council’s Labor Opposition Leader, Jared Cassidy, however, argued that the housing shortage is partly a result of the current administration’s decision to ban new townhouse developments in low-density zones in 2020.
For Oxley residents, the changes could bring increased housing diversity and a revitalisation of local centres with new shops and services. However, concerns remain about potential increases in traffic congestion, strain on existing infrastructure such as schools and utilities, and changes to the traditional neighbourhood character.
Council encourages residents to stay informed through official platforms and participate in upcoming consultation processes to provide their feedback on these important planning changes.
Published Date 28-May-2025
