The LNP Government is proposing to cut existing affordable housing requirements from its amended Priority Development Area (PDA) Development Scheme, just days after refusing to answer Greens questions about the requirement in Parliament.
Greens representatives say it’s a recklessly irresponsible move that’ll supercharge the housing crisis and price ordinary Brisbane locals out of the area completely.
The Greens have also criticised plans for privatisation of public land, and called on the LNP to give a clear answer on the amount of public space that’ll be included in the new scheme, after the previous 50% requirement in the Cross River Rail area was cut.
Background
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The existing Woolloongabba PDA (p.33) includes a requirement for “a minimum of 20% total residential GFA as high-quality social or affordable housing onsite”. As shown in the Schedule 7 Amendments Register of the Government’s proposed new scheme released today, the affordable housing requirements have been deleted.
- The news comes just one week after the Deputy Premier refused to answer Mr Berkman’s question during Estimates Hearings, on whether the 20% affordable housing requirement would remain.
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The Greens have proposed a binding 20% affordable housing requirement within the privately owned parts of the Woolloongabba PDA, including:
- 10% of total residential GFA as public housing
- 10% of total residential GFA as genuinely affordable housing, with rent limited to 70% of market rent or 25% of household income (whichever is lower)
- The existing PDA (p. 37) also states that “A minimum 50% of the CRR Sub-area 1b is to be open space, which includes a Central Park”. The Deputy Premier refused to answer Mr Berkman’s Estimates questions regarding how this will be replaced in the new scheme. The amended scheme contains no reference to a replacement open space area, and areas previously highlighted for “open space investigation” are no longer marked.
- The new PDA lays the groundwork for privatisation of public land, as foreshadowed by the Deputy Premier in response to Mr Berkman’s Estimates questions
Greens MP for Maiwar Michael Berkman:
“Just as we suspected, the LNP is scrapping social and affordable housing from the Woolloongabba PDA.
“This means thousands of people who might’ve otherwise been able to access one of these new homes will be priced out. The housing crisis is crushing people’s hope, and the LNP just snuffed out thousands more dreams in Brisbane.
“Labor’s 20% social or affordable housing target was inadequate to start with, but the LNP’s stooped even lower by cutting it altogether.
“At a time when house prices are already spiralling out of control, this is a rare opportunity for the Government to put some guardrails in place as we grow our city. There’s still time for the LNP to change this, and the Greens are urging them to put people ahead of developer profits here by including mandatory minimums for public and affordable housing.”
Greens Councillor for the Gabba Ward Trina Massey:
“At every level, the LNP is robbing Brisbane residents of their parks. From bulldozing Victoria Park/Barrambin to annihilating future greenspace in Woolloongabba, they’re prioritising private profit over public wellbeing.
“Instead of backing our local communities and delivering the infrastructure that high‑density neighbourhoods need to thrive, like expanded schools, libraries, pools, parks, and community hubs, the LNP is selling off public land to property developers. This is yet another sign of their disregard for Brisbane residents.
“Yet again, the government is putting the profits of property developers ahead of what this community actually needs”.