BAYSIDE residents have backed the need for more homes and greater housing choice but most do not support Brisbane City Council’s new low-medium density rules in their current form, a community-commissioned study has found.
The independent research, involving 379 people across Wynnum, Manly and Lota, found 53 per cent supported the broad direction of the changes in some form.
But only 25 per cent supported Council’s proposal as drafted, while another 28 per cent said they could support it only with changes.
The survey found 36 per cent opposed the changes.
The findings come days before the new Low-Medium Density Residential rules are due to take effect on September 18, allowing changes to building heights, minimum lot sizes, subdivision and built form across Brisbane.
The study, Understanding Community Sentiment for Proposed Low-Medium Residential Changes in Wynnum Manly, was facilitated by the Wynnum Manly Community Group and independently designed, conducted and reported by Intego Consulting.
Lead researcher Vanessa Taveras-Dalmau said the results challenged the simplistic framing of residents as either pro-development or anti-development.
“While 53 per cent of participants supported the broad direction of the LMR changes in some form, only 25 per cent supported Council’s proposal as drafted,” Dr Taveras-Dalmau she said.
“A further 28 per cent supported it only with changes, while 36 per cent opposed it.
The survey’s primary quantitative dataset included 342 adult responses, weighted against Australian Bureau of Statistics Census benchmarks for age, suburb and housing tenure.
Researchers also analysed 349 written responses.
Manly recorded the highest opposition, at 54 per cent, compared with 34 per cent in Wynnum 34%) and Lota (21%).
Younger residents and renters were generally more supportive while homeowners and longer-term residents expressed greater opposition.
Business owners largely occupied the middle ground with 51 per cent supporting the proposal only if changes were made and 20 per cent backing it as drafted.
The Wynnum Manly Community Group said it wanted Brisbane City Council and the Queensland Government to use the findings to shape implementation of the new rules, future planning decisions and infrastructure investment.
“Council may have adopted the amendment, but the real impacts are only beginning,” the group said.
“We are not asking decision makers to choose between more housing and local liveability. Good planning must deliver both.”
A Council spokesperson said it was encouraging more homes in the right places, while protecting the things residents love about their suburbs.
“More homes also need to be supported by the roads, public transport, parks and community facilities residents rely on every day,” the spokesperson said.
“We’ll continue investing in this infrastructure and listening to residents as Brisbane grows.”
They said Council had not been provided with the survey results and was unable to verify the details.
