At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Brisbane Labor Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy moved to include social and affordable housing targets in the Stones Corner and Mt. Gravatt precinct plans.
The move was made during the debate on clauses A & B of the Establishment and Coordination committee report, which would have included adopting resolutions to amend the City Plan to finalise the Stones Corner Precinct Plan, and move the Mt Gravatt Precinct Plan to a State Interest review and community consultation.
Cassidy argued that amid the housing and homelessness crisis, Council needed to “draw a line in the sand” and send a signal to investors and residents that Brisbane stands for an equitable housing market with various housing options available across various income levels.
“We are fast on the way to becoming the next two-tiered city of haves and have nots…where the right to afford your own home in your own city, Brisbane, is reserved for those with generational wealth.”
“We do not believe those with little who aspire for more be banished beyond the city limits where the jobs, education, services, and amenities are few and far between.”
On Monday, a report released by QShelter painted a bleak picture of Brisbane’s housing market in the lead up to the Olympics. It warned that “worsening housing affordability, displacement of low-income households, and a loss of boarding houses will be the legacy of the games unless action is taken now.”
LNP Council chair for City Planning and Suburban renewal, Cr. Adam Allan, rejected the amendment, claiming “mandating and targets actually stymies development.”
But Cassidy doubled down, clarifying that targets are not requirements, and that it costs nothing for Council to encourage the state government to incorporate social and supported housing models into housing developments across the Brisbane LGA.
Brisbane Labor is encouraging the community to back a petition to get Council to increase the Pathways out of Homelessness grant funding from $1 million to $5 million per year.
You can sign the petition here.
