Brisbane City Plan 2014 permits subdivision creating lots as small as 300m² in the LDR (low density residential) zone, where within 200m walking distance of a centre zone measuring at least 2,000m².
The subdivision requires code assessment where the full frontage of the new lot is within 200m walking distance of the centre zone, however elevated to impact assessment if only part of the frontage of the new lot is within 200m walking distance. Although being impact assessment and requiring public notification, by being partly within 200m walking distance, a proposal can still comply with the subdivision code and be supported by Council.
The challenge with this particular application was that only part of the frontage to one of the proposed lots was within 200m walking distance, whereas the frontage of the second lot exceeded 200m. See extract of Council’s interactive mapping below which shows the approximate walking distance to the full frontage of the subject lot.
So we were creating one compliant lot and one non-compliant lot, which required several discussions and correspondence with Council to pull across the line. Fortunately, the second lot is 10m wide and measures 386m²—as such, marginally smaller than the prescribed 400m² and Council eventually saw the logic and issued the approval. Phew… The initial call received from Council was not positive at all but we managed to convince Council otherwise.
Council is currently insisting on compliant development, and it is increasingly difficult to argue non-compliances. As such, if you are looking at purchasing LDR zoned land in close proximity to a centre, please do not hesitate to contact us as part of your due diligence to ensure it meets the requirements of City Plan 2014.
