Brisbane’s northside rail corridor could accommodate a broader mix of homes as planning changes expand opportunities for low-rise development across parts of Zillmere, Fitzgibbon, Nundah, Northgate, Clayfield, Hamilton and Ascot.
The suburbs stretch from established inner-north neighbourhoods to growing communities further north, giving the housing changes a varied footprint. Council’s More Homes, Sooner program is designed to increase housing supply in locations where residents can make use of existing transport, shopping and other services.
Rail corridors put homes closer to established connections
Transport access is a major feature of several affected northside suburbs, with Nundah, Northgate and Zillmere located along Brisbane’s northern rail corridor and Clayfield and Ascot also served by passenger rail.
Greater housing capacity in those areas is consistent with Council’s broader strategy of concentrating more homes near public transport and established centres. Council says well-located development can make better use of existing infrastructure, support shorter trips and give residents easier access to shops and services.
Nundah already combines a major residential population with a commercial centre and transport connections. The 2021 Census recorded 13,098 people in the suburb, with an average household size of 2.0 people and more than 7000 private dwellings.
Zillmere had 9323 residents and an average household size of 2.3 people, while Northgate recorded 4876 residents and an average household size of 2.4.
Smaller lots widen the housing mix
The low-medium density changes provide greater scope for housing between detached homes and large apartment developments.
Qualifying sites can accommodate lots as small as 120 square metres where relevant location, design and servicing requirements are satisfied. Development of up to three storeys is provided for more broadly, while multiple dwellings of up to four storeys may be permitted at designated locations near frequent public transport or centres.
The framework supports housing types including townhouses, row houses, dual occupancies and low-rise apartments. Council says smaller and more varied homes are needed as household sizes change, particularly for people seeking alternatives to larger detached houses.
Different suburbs, a shared push for housing choice
The northside areas affected by the changes are not uniform. Nundah and Clayfield already contain substantial apartment and unit development, while Northgate, Zillmere and Fitzgibbon include a broader mix of detached and attached housing.
Hamilton and Ascot add an inner-north dimension, with established services and transport connections providing another setting for additional low-medium density housing.
Eligible land will remain within the low-medium density residential framework rather than being converted to high-rise zoning. Design provisions regulate matters including building scale, site cover, landscaping and servicing, with additional controls applying to smaller lots.
The changes increase the range of housing that can be developed across eligible northside sites, particularly around established transport and services. Actual construction will still depend on individual properties, landowners, market conditions and applicable development approvals.
Published 7-Sept-2026
