Residents in Wakerley are pushing back against new housing developments at a time when thousands of Queenslanders are struggling to find a home. Despite the state’s growing housing shortage, some of Queensland’s most sought-after suburbs are barely adding any new dwellings, creating a bottleneck that experts say is worsening the crisis.
New figures released in April 2025 show that Wakerley is among 65 suburbs across Queensland where housing stock increased by less than 1% over two years. MCG Quantity Surveyors found that these suburbs each recorded fewer than 5,000 new building approvals during that period, indicating a significant slowdown in supply.
Areas like Wakerley, with strong infrastructure and community appeal, are under pressure but still resist new developments.
Communities Holding the Line
For instance, a proposal to build 44 affordable townhouses by the Archdiocese of Brisbane faced intense opposition from residents. Over 3,400 people signed a petition arguing that the development would change the character of the neighbourhood and attract lower-income groups.
Although the proposal was eventually approved, the widespread resistance highlights a trend seen in many Queensland suburbs where locals are reluctant to embrace higher-density living, even when it would address broader housing needs.
Across Queensland, particularly in Brisbane’s middle and inner suburbs, similar battles are playing out. Suburbs like Carindale, Mansfield, and Boondall show little movement in their housing stocks, despite being equipped with schools, transport links and community facilities suited to growing populations.
Analysts point out that this refusal to build upward or outward is one of the factors making it harder for first-home buyers and renters to find affordable options.
The Downsizing Challenge
Adding to the supply strain is the reluctance of empty nesters to move out of their larger homes. Research reveals that just 19% of Queenslanders who have seen their children leave home have downsized to smaller properties, while 68% continue to live in houses larger than they now need. Emotional attachments, financial penalties linked to pensions, and a lack of appealing downsized housing options are major reasons for staying put.
Industry groups warn that if even a portion of these homeowners downsized, it could free up tens of thousands of homes across the country, including over 22,000 in Queensland alone. However, many seniors find the idea overwhelming, given the effort involved in moving and the shortage of smaller, affordable dwellings that meet their needs within familiar communities.
Housing Affordability at Risk
Experts such as Mike Mortlock from MCG Quantity Surveyors and Natalie Rayment from YIMBY Queensland argue that both resistance to new housing and the downsizing dilemma are major barriers to solving the crisis. They stress that unless there is a shift in attitudes, both toward new developments and toward mobility within the housing market, prices will continue to climb, and more families will struggle to secure suitable housing.
The conversation around development, particularly in established suburbs like Wakerley, is increasingly focused on balancing the preservation of community character with the urgent need for more housing. Without a broader acceptance of change, many fear that Queensland will continue to mirror the affordability struggles already seen in Australia’s largest cities.
Published 28-April-2025
