← The Redlands Insider

July 2026 · Issue #1

Is your block suddenly worth more? The City Plan changes, explained.

While everyone was arguing about Toondah, Council quietly advanced something that could put real money in ordinary owners’ pockets: two major amendments to the Redland City Plan, covering residential and non-residential rules. After community consultation in March, the revised package is now headed to the Planning Minister for final sign-off.

What’s actually changing

• In certain low-density areas, minimum lot sizes could drop from 400sqm to 300sqm.
• New dual-occupancy rules: broadly one dwelling per 350sqm, or one per 300sqm on corner blocks.
• Clearer rules for secondary dwellings (granny flats), plus updated medium-density provisions — setbacks, site cover, landscaping and unit mixes.

Why it matters to you

Development potential is one of the most under-recognised sources of value in the Redlands. An owner sees “a 700sqm block with a tired lowset”. Under the new rules, a builder or developer may see two lots, or a dual-occupancy site — and they pay accordingly. When these amendments take effect, a slice of ordinary blocks in the right zones quietly become worth more than their owners realise, especially corner blocks and anything over 600sqm.

The catch: it’s entirely zone-and-overlay specific. Two identical-looking blocks two streets apart can have completely different potential. That’s exactly the kind of thing I check as part of an appraisal — it takes me minutes with the mapping tools, and it can change your number by six figures.

Greg Leigh — local Redlands specialist, Queensland Sotheby’s International Realty. 300+ homes sold across Brisbane in 9 years.
Sources: Redland City Council — City Plan major amendments 02/25 & 03/25 (July 2026); Your Say Redlands Coast.