The council expects the new rules to clear the way for more compact, medium-density housing on blocks that can now be as small as 120 square metres. The change is part of a broader push to increase housing supply and address affordability pressures in Australia's third-largest city.

Traditionally, minimum lot sizes in Brisbane have been larger, often around 300-400 square metres for detached homes. The new 120-square-metre threshold applies to planned developments that include townhouses or terrace-style dwellings, allowing developers to subdivide land more aggressively.

A standard tennis court measures roughly 260 square metres — more than double the new minimum. The comparison highlights just how compact the new blocks will be, raising questions about living space, private open area, and neighbourhood character.

Council officials have framed the change as a pragmatic response to the housing crisis. Brisbane's population has grown rapidly in recent years, driven by interstate migration and returning expatriates, pushing rental vacancy rates to historic lows and home prices to record highs. The state government has also set ambitious housing targets for the city, requiring tens of thousands of new dwellings over the next decade.

Critics, however, warn that shrinking block sizes could lead to overcrowding, loss of green space, and increased pressure on infrastructure such as parks, schools, and public transport. Some residents' groups have expressed concern that the changes will fundamentally alter the character of established suburbs, replacing sprawling Queenslander homes with dense clusters of narrow townhouses.

Developers, on the other hand, have welcomed the flexibility. They argue that smaller blocks make infill development more financially viable, allowing them to build more homes in desirable locations close to the city centre and transport corridors. Industry groups note that similar minimum lot sizes are already common in cities like Sydney and Melbourne.

The council has not yet detailed whether the new rules will apply city-wide or be restricted to designated growth areas. Further information is expected in the coming weeks as the planning scheme is formally updated.