Brighter And some

New blueprint for Brisbane splits opinion on the humble backyard

by Karleen Jentz, Copywriter 14 June 2018

A new blueprint for Brisbane released this month has divided opinions as it calls for greater protection of backyards in low density residential areas.

The move is one of 40 actions to come out of the Plan Your Brisbane campaign which Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said would be implemented over the next 18 months.

“In this blueprint, council has committed to putting a stop to townhouses and apartments being built in areas for single homes,” he told Brisbane Times.

Cr Quirk says the plan – which considered responses from 100,000 Brisbane residents – was about creating neighbourhoods and protecting backyards.

But not everyone is agreed that it’s a good idea.

University of Queensland Urban Planning expert Dr Dorina Pojani said the plan could drive up property prices and reduce the viability of future public transport improvements.

“With higher densities you can support much better public transport, if you have very low densities … then public transport will never become viable,” Dr Pojani told the ABC.

The Lord Mayor defended the plan, and says it’s what Brisbane residents have said they want.

“People said they wanted the growth to occur around the inner-city areas, along transport corridors, and around the regional business centres and nothing has changed in that regard,” Cr Quirk said.

“What they do want though is greater protections in those single-dwelling areas of the city, that’s come through loud and clear and that will be provided.”

Feel strongly about backyards? Why not get one of your own? View our current listings for sale or check our listings for rent.