Planning scheme amendment to deliver better housing for residents

City of Moreton Bay’s latest update to its planning scheme will ensure sustainable and well-planned housing meets community expectations as our city grows.    

Council today adopted the Better Housing Amendment to improve the liveability of our residents, now and into the future.  

Approved by the State Government in late August, the Better Housing Amendment reflects the State’s ShapingSEQ Plan with a commitment to efficient land use, diversity of product and more homes for Queenslanders. 

City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said the amendment actively responds to current housing challenges, while also compelling good design, diverse housing options and better neighbourhoods. 
 
“The amendment targets five key planning policy areas raised by City of Moreton Bay residents, including that new houses, units, and townhouses now need to provide better parking requirements to get cars off our streets. 

“The beneficial changes also include more green space to accommodate outdoor living; appropriate setbacks and site coverage to avoid overcrowded neighbourhoods and loss of privacy; more sunlight and breezes between and around new builds; and diverse housing including improved standards for secondary dwellings. 

“We make no apologies for wanting to make City of Moreton Bay the most liveable city possible, with better design and housing options, more appealing streets and green spaces, and more room to live.  We owe this to future generations and it’s too important not to get this right. 

“We will continue to champion critical local housing supply, diversity and affordability without neglecting liveability, design and sustainability measures. This is especially important when building communities on greenfield sites from scratch. 

“The Better Housing Amendment is the result of years of consultation with our community, industry and other stakeholders to better understand what’s required from a planning perspective to address critical housing needs while maintaining City of Moreton Bay’s enviable lifestyle.

“We’ve worked hard to get the balance right between not overly regulating much needed new development; with the community’s expectations for better neighbourhood outcomes from new developments.  

“We have heard some in the industry say that they’re concerned that specific changes will impact on their ability to deliver existing housing projects.  We’re committed to working with industry as we implement these Better Housing Amendment changes so that those projects already underway won’t be disrupted, but our communities have been clear on their feedback to us - they want to see better housing outcomes in their communities.

“We’re prepared to work closely with industry to ensure a collaborative and integrated approach to planning, so our natural environment is protected, and City of Moreton Bay residents have the key services, infrastructure, and lifestyle they deserve. 

“I truly believe that together we can meet increased housing demand driven by population growth but also lead the way in residential development and neighbourhoods.

“This too, on the back of Council’s determined resolve, to provide more homes and services for people doing it tough in Moreton Bay.  

“From housing choice so that people can find affordable homes that meet their needs, life stages, budget and family size, to sustainable design and better secondary dwelling guidelines, we want to balance City of Moreton Bay’s growing progress with environmental sustainability and community wellbeing. 

“We’ve drafted the amendment in lock step with our community to better reflect the changing environment of our city and I’m proud to say we’ve achieved that today. 

“As our population soars toward 1 million residents in under 40 years, it’s important that we have good planning measures in place now to guide that growth.

“I thank the State Government for approving our amendment, so we can get on with delivering better well-planned neighbourhoods for residents.

“This is a key piece of the planning puzzle as City of Moreton Bay continues to mature into one of the most liveable, well-planned and sustainable cities in Queensland, while managing significant growth.  

The Better Housing Amendment was adopted today (4 September 2024) and will come into effect in a new version of the planning scheme on the 30 October 2024. 

View all the changes and how they will affect you by visiting our Better Housing Amendment Your Say Moreton Bay webpage.