Principle 5: Ensure best practice design that complements the character of Brisbane

As Brisbane grows, requiring high-quality and attractive design will mean new development makes good use of space and matches the area in which it’s built.

How we'll get there

1.  Develop a scheme that encourages higher quality design.
2.  Propose to amend Brisbane City Plan 2014 to increase the requirement for deep planting areas from 10% of the site to 15%.

Track Council's progress on this principle

Action 5.1: Mandate best practice design that fits surroundings and meets community standards

Low-to-medium density residential design

Council has prepared a draft design guide for low-to-medium density residential development. The design guide provides advice and support to encourage quality design of townhouses and apartments up to five storeys and complements Brisbane City Plan 2014 by identifying key design processes and elements to be considered in the design of low-to-medium density housing.

Read more about the draft New World City Design Guide - Subtropical homes for a Brisbane lifestyle.

Building and site design improvements

Council is currently reviewing Brisbane City Plan 2014 and developing amendments that encourage development to exhibit better design that fits their surroundings while encouraging diversity in design.

Read more about building and site design improvements (Word - 96kb).

Action 5.2: Create a design rating scheme to ensure buildings comply with higher design standards

Design rating scheme

Council has prepared Design-led City - a design strategy for Brisbane which recognises the need to incentivise design excellence through a design rating scheme.

Read more about the Design-led City - a design strategy for Brisbane.

Action 5.3: Increase the required areas for tree planting and deep landscaping in new development

Multiple dwelling deep planting amendments

Council is proposing amendments to Brisbane City Plan 2014 - Major amendment package E to increase the required dimensions of deep planting in multiple dwellings.

Read more about City Plan amendments adopted and in progress.

Building and site design improvements

Council is currently reviewing Brisbane City Plan 2014 and developing amendments including increasing the areas required for deep planting in new development that is open to the sky and in natural ground with no underground infrastructure.

Read more about building and site design improvements (Word - 96kb).

Action 5.4: Stop cookie-cutter townhouses by limiting repeated designs

Design requirements for townhouses

Council is reviewing Brisbane City Plan 2014 and developing amendments to discourage cookie-cutter townhouse developments.

Read more about building and site design improvements (Word - 96kb).

Action 5.5 Establish a Brisbane Design Office to implement a new design strategy for Brisbane

Design Brisbane and Design Strategy

Council's new design office, Design Brisbane, commenced in November 2018.

Council has prepared Design-led City – a design strategy for Brisbane. The document outlines the priorities and design values to guide design outcomes for all development and infrastructure projects, and identifies actions to support, regulate, reward and implement quality design in Brisbane.

Read more about the Design-led City - a design strategy for Brisbane.

Action 5.6: Preserve our city’s Queenslanders and other traditional designs

Preserve our city’s heritage places and designs

Brisbane City Plan 2014 – Major amendment package F which includes the protection of more local heritage places and pre-1911 homes, took effect on 29 November 2019.

Read about City Plan amendments adopted and in progress how to nominate a place for Council’s heritage register.