Taller Towers in Brisbane Suburbs
· audio
Taller Towers on the Horizon: Brisbane’s Growth Pains
The city’s relentless march towards densification continues to divide residents and officials in Brisbane. Updated plans for significantly taller residential towers have cleared council and are now headed for state government approval. Three suburbs – Indooroopilly, Carindale, and Nundah – will be home to these new structures, with some areas allowing buildings of up to 25 storeys.
The decision is a natural extension of the “tall-not-sprawl” approach championed by Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. This strategy aims to concentrate growth around public transport hubs and shopping centers, reducing the need for sprawling development on the outskirts. However, as seen in cities like Brisbane, this approach can create its own set of problems.
One major concern is infrastructure capacity. The Labor opposition has warned that increased population will strain public transport systems in these suburbs. While Brisbane’s performance-based planning system allows for flexibility, it also favors developer-friendly outcomes. Lord Mayor Schrinner said, “these are places we believe could, and can, accommodate more homes.” But at what cost?
Public feedback on the proposal reveals a mixed response. Of 195 submissions, 119 explicitly opposed the amendments, with only 20 in full support. This is not a ringing endorsement for the plan.
The city’s future hinges on its ability to ensure that infrastructure keeps pace with growth. As Brisbane continues to densify, will we see more “tall” developments popping up across the city, or will they be relegated to specific areas deemed suitable for growth? The state government now has the final say on these plans.
This decision marks another step in Brisbane’s evolution into a more compact, high-rise metropolis. Some see benefits in increased density – reduced car dependence and greater economic activity – while others worry about losing the city’s character and charm.
Brisbane would do well to learn from cities like Melbourne and Sydney, which are grappling with similar issues. What works for one city may not work for another, but examining best practices and worst-case scenarios can help build a more sustainable future.
The proposed changes will now make their way through the state government before returning to council for inclusion in the City Plan. When they do, it’s essential that residents, officials, and developers have a nuanced understanding of what’s at stake. Brisbane’s growth pains are far from over – but with careful planning and a willingness to learn from mistakes, we can build a better future.
The path forward is uncertain, but one thing is clear: the next chapter in Brisbane’s story will be written by those who are willing to think differently about what our city should look like. Will it be a tale of sleek skyscrapers and bustling streets, or one of crowded streets and strained infrastructure? The choice is ours.
Reader Views
- RSRiya S. · podcast host
While Lord Mayor Schrinner's "tall-not-sprawl" approach may seem like a sensible solution to Brisbane's growth pains, we need to be careful not to overlook the nuances of infrastructure capacity in our haste to pack more homes into dense areas. The reality is that public transport systems can only handle so much strain before congestion becomes unbearable, and it's precisely this kind of scenario where we see the "tall" strategy falter – as witnessed in cities like Hong Kong and Singapore, where overcrowding has become a crippling issue.
- CBCam B. · audio engineer
The city's performance-based planning system is touted as flexible, but in reality, it prioritizes developer profits over community needs. This proposal is a perfect example of that flaw - 119 submissions opposing the amendments, and still, they're pushing forward with plans for towering developments that will undoubtedly strain infrastructure in these suburbs. Where's the holistic assessment of public transport capacity, not just at peak hour but throughout the day? The city needs more than just tall buildings; it needs thoughtful planning that prioritizes people over profit.
- TSThe Studio Desk · editorial
It's time for Brisbane to confront the elephant in the room: can its infrastructure truly keep pace with such rapid densification? The city's performance-based planning system is supposed to ensure that growth aligns with available resources, but we've seen how quickly developer-friendly outcomes can overrun community concerns. A more nuanced approach would be to implement staggered development phases, allowing infrastructure upgrades to catch up before new projects are greenlit. This would prevent the kind of rushed decision-making that's led to public transport woes in other Brisbane suburbs.