Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and his LNP Council have again rejected an amendment to their draft Sandgate Precinct Plan that would introduce affordable housing targets and inclusionary zoning.
The Sandgate Precinct Plan is currently a boundary map of where Council would increase building height limits, aiming to facilitate more residential housing stock.
Local councillor for the Deagon Ward Jared Cassidy, who is also the Labor Opposition Leader in Brisbane City Council, called on the Lord Mayor to follow through on a proposed trial for inclusionary zoning made several years ago.
Inclusionary zoning refers to a planning law whereby developers can build a set number of extra stories above the standard height limit so long as the extra levels are designated for affordable housing.
Affordable housing targets are signals to the market that local government expects new multi-dwelling builds to include a percentage of housing below the median housing price.
The current median price for a house is $1.17 million as of January 2026.
The Lord Mayor has since reneged on his inclusionary zoning pledge, insisting targets do not entice private developers to build homes.
But experts in the field suggest the reality is not so clear-cut.
Jackson Hills, General Manager for Policy and Strategic Engagement at QShelter, recently posted on LinkedIn, “Housing availability does not automatically equal housing affordability, and confusing the two risks missing the point of the crisis we’re trying to solve.
“Increasing supply matters, but if new homes are priced beyond the reach of everyday households, located far from jobs and services, affordability doesn’t improve.”
“What the research and evidence continue to teach us, is that affordability only improves when availability is paired with intent: homes that are affordable relative to income, secure, well-located, and suitable for the people who need them most.”
Speaking in the Council chamber on Tuesday, Cr. Cassidy made the point that suitable locations for housing were excluded from the draft precinct map, and that supply does not necessarily mean affordable homes.
“[The Precinct Plan] misses the mark in excluding the old gasworks site which is almost completely remediated by Origin and will be ready for development, adjoining the train station. Imagine walking out your front door and jumping on a 50c train into the city, just 30 minutes away.”
“Much of the new supply that gets built gets snapped up by investors who can borrow against the value of their existing portfolios and outbid first home buyers.”
“And of course, higher purchase prices for investors mean higher rents for renters.”
The draft precinct plan map now goes to the State government for approval, before public consultation on the details of the plan begins.
