Greg Hankinson , Director - Metropole Constructions
Brisbane City Council has unveiled sweeping zoning reforms that could transform the city’s middle-ring suburbs and deliver up to 6000 new homes by 2032.
The “More Homes, Sooner” amendment proposes increasing building heights, reducing minimum lot sizes, and streamlining approvals in the Low-Medium Density Residential (LMR) zone, which covers 14% of Brisbane’s residential areas. Suburbs including Morningside, St Lucia, Moorooka, Indooroopilly, and Wynnum are set to be directly impacted.
For developers and homebuilders alike, this is a pivotal moment. Allowable building heights will rise to three-storeys across the LMR zone, with some sites near transport and shopping hubs permitted to go to four.
Minimum block sizes will shrink from 260sqm to 120sqm, opening the door to more affordable town-homes, apartments, and row houses.
Industry bodies have welcomed the move. The Housing Industry Association says reducing lot sizes is a proven way to cut costs and broaden housing choice, while the Urban Development Institute of Australia has urged that “no stone should be left unturned” in tackling the housing crisis.
These reforms signal a clear shift toward smarter, denser growth. They create opportunities to deliver projects that meet the needs of first-home buyers, downsizers, and families seeking well-serviced communities.
Importantly, they balance affordability with lifestyle by focusing development in areas close to transport and amenities – rather than pushing sprawl into bushland. Formal consultation begins in early 2026, but it’s clear that Brisbane is preparing for a housing future that is more diverse, more accessible, and more responsive to demand.
