Townhouses in Brisbane - a thing of the past?

Brisbane City Council is considering a ban on townhouses in low-density suburbs. The proposed ban aims to protect the slowly dwindling supply of homes with a backyard, as well as character homes in Brisbane suburbs. But what does this mean for the future of townhouses in Brisbane?

Are townhouses in Brisbane a thing of the past?

The short answer is no. At this time the Government is reviewing planning controls and ensuring that certain development applications are not approved. The aim of this new ban is to protect Brisbane suburbs that are traditionally known for their leafy streets and one- or two-storey homes. It also aims to better help Council and State Government assess the impact on infrastructure in these suburbs. For example, developments will need to ensure that they provide adequate parking for residents and will not contribute to local parking issues and congestion.

So what will townhouses in Brisbane look like in the future?

Council is pushing for higher quality, better designed townhouses to ensure that poor designs are minimised around Brisbane. Town planners have advised that medium density townhouse developments are best around areas with good access to public transport and shopping centres. These amenities help to overcome a major concern with regards to townhouses in Brisbane – an influx of cars that cause parking and traffic issues. Brisbane City Council city planning chairman Matthew Bourke said, “What’s really important is to make sure that we’re accommodating the growth in Brisbane around transport nodes and other infrastructure.” Encouraging townhouse development around such amenities provides alternative transport options and lessens residents reliance on their cars to come and go.

Are townhouses a positive property type for Brisbane?

Town and urban planners advocate townhouses in Brisbane as a good way to provide additional housing supply to ensure that prices don’t skyrocket.  As a sprawling city Brisbane can afford to see an increase in density. Griffith University urban planning lecturer Tony Matthews notes that townhouses are often the first place new residents can afford to move to before buying a house. Townhouses in Brisbane are therefore an essential step in climbing the property ladder for those still in the early stages of their property journey.

Sum up

Around Australia, the popularity of townhouses is increasing. In the 2016 Census townhouses accounted for 12.7% of resident homes. This was up almost 3% when compared to the 2011 Census where townhouses accounted for 9.9% of resident homes. We believe that the next Census will show another increase. With better development controls and a focus on quality, townhouses provide a perfect product between traditional free-standing homes and high density apartments. We hope to see positive results from Council and the State Government’s community consultation. In the meantime, if you’re looking to rent or buy property in Brisbane city we can help.