The Gap Neighbourhood Plan Archives

The Gap Neighborhood Plan Update: Final Draft Now Up for Review

Following a series of amendments, the Brisbane City Council has already submitted the revised The Gap Neighbourhood Plan to the Queensland Government for final review.

BCC developed the plan to coordinate land use and infrastructure and protect the things the community values.

The neighbourhood plan, which was created to help make Brisbane’s Future Blueprint a reality, may result in additional changes after the review.

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan Timeline

The Gap neighbourhood plan boundary (Photo Credit: Brisbane City Council)

The Gap Neighborhood Plan will form a general guideline for future developments in the area.

Mid-2016 to 2017

From mid-2016 onwards, Council formed a Community Planning Team to develop the draft neighbourhood plan strategy. BCC learned about the issues and concerns of the locals thru an online survey.

Based on the community feedback, leading concerns include the need for improvement to bicycle ways and footpaths, appropriate development densities, better public transport services, and improved traffic flow and main road decongestion.

The Gap is not expected to change significantly over the next 10 years. However, there is a need to provide different sizes and types of homes in the suburb so that younger people, older people, and people with different household sizes can all find housing that suits their needs.

October 2017

BCC released the draft strategy document that will guide the creation of a neighbourhood plan for The Gap. The Council finalised and published the strategy after gathering all comments from the community.

Proposed changes

The amendment package consists of the following key components:

The Gap neighbourhood plan code – The village precinct is intended to encourage the revitalisation of The Gap Village shopping centre as a place for the community to shop, recreate and work, and encourage a high-quality pedestrian environment and pleasant urban streetscape. It also covers potential development areas precinct or sites are currently zoned emerging community and are proposed to be rezoned to low-density residential.
Land use zoning – There are several proposed zone changes in the amendment package to ensure that the zoning suitably reflects the desired land use outcomes for the area.
Supporting changes to overlays – The amendment package proposes changes to the significant landscape tree overlay to include an additional 11 established trees and dwelling house character overlay to reflect properties which have been rezoned for residential uses.

Early 2018

The Council prepared to amend City Plan based on community input and further technical reviews of the area. The Queensland Government completed a state interest review and approved the draft plan for public notification and final community submissions.

30 July-10 September 2018

The Council released the draft statutory neighbourhood plan for final community submissions. Anyone who lives, works, or owns a property in the area was encouraged to have their say on the plan.

Late 2018

BCC considered changes to the draft neighbourhood plan following a review of the submissions. The Queensland Government will then complete a second state interest review.

Late 2018 to early 2019

Once approved by the Queensland Government, Council will adopt the neighbourhood plan and add it to Brisbane City Plan 2014.

Council said it will also release further information on other activities and opportunities that the community can get involved with to further progress the vision for The Gap’s future.

For further updates on The Gap Neighbourhood Plan, subscribe to email updates from Brisbane City Council.

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan Awaits State Final Approval

After considering submissions from local residents, Brisbane City Council has revised The Gap Neighbourhood Plan and submitted it to the Queensland Government for final review.

The council has been working on the neighbourhood plan since 2016 to include it in Brisbane City Plan 2014. The draft plan was released to the public and the community was asked for comments from July to September 2018.

Among the important outcomes of the local consultation is the community’s desire to maintain The Gap’s traditional suburban, low-density character. Residents also wanted to make sure that the environment and green space, including large trees, will get ample protection.

The redevelopment of The Gap Village shopping centre also came up during the consultation period. Locals wanted to see The Gap Village become a place for locals to meet, shop, dine and work. Better connections with adjacent parks and residential areas were also suggested.

Residents also requested that there be a limited area for diverse housing of up to three storeys high near The Gap Village. This should allow residents to continue to live in The Gap as their needs change in the future. It is no longer proposed to rezone the area for up to five-storey buildings.

The consultation also called for clear mapping of ecological values to be protected and the types of housing suitable for areas zoned for residential use. This is to provide better guidance on what development may be permitted on those sites.

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan covers the suburb of The Gap as well as small portions of Keperra, Upper Kedron and Mt Coot-tha (See Figure 1).

The state government will make a second review of the neighbourhood plan. After this, the amendment will be brought back to the council for approval to be adopted into the City Plan.

Learn more about The Gap Neighbourhood Plan.

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan: Final Call for Submissions

The Gap local residents have until 5 P.M. 10 September 2018 to let their voice be heard regarding the proposed The Gap Neighbourhood Plan. The Brisbane City Council started the neighbourhood planning process last April 2016 and prepared the draft neighbourhood plan following feedback from residents.

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan will serve to guide future developments whilst maintaining The Gap community’s suburban lifestyle and character. No significant growth in population of The Gap is expected in the next ten years. It is still deemed necessary, however, to create a neighbourhood plan to guide future developments in the area.

The neighbourhood plan draft is in keeping with the Brisbane City Council’s vision for “a well-planned, liveable and efficiently serviced city.” The neighbourhood plan will refine City Plan through proposed amendments including the Village precinct, identification of potential development areas, and zone changes.

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan Boundary

The Gap neighborhood Plan boundary — *Photo credit:Brisbane City Council/Facebook*

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan Proposed Village Precinct

*Photo credit:Brisbane City Council/Facebook*

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan Proposed Development Areas

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan Proposed Zone Changes

Here Is How to Lodge Your Submission:

You can download the factsheet about how to make a submission or download information about City Plan terms and concepts.
Read the full draft of the neighbourhood plan.
Find out how the draft plan might affect you.
You can lodge your submission online by 5 p.m. Monday 10 September 2018.

The council cannot consider feedback over the phone or in person as formal feedback at this stage of the process, as the neighbourhood plan is a legal document.

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan Timeline

Mid-2016 to 2017-Background research

900 online survey responses
Community Planning Team meetings
Information kiosks on 20 and 21 September 2016.

October 2017-Release of draft strategy document

47 submissions made by letter, email or in-person at kiosks
173 comments via online form and interactive mapping tool
642 votes via the interactive map
one Community Planning Team meeting
four information kiosks in November and December 2017.

Early 2018-First draft of neighbourhood plan

Council prepared a draft neighbourhood plan to amend City Plan based on community input and further technical reviews of the area.
The Queensland Government completed a state interest review and approved the draft plan for public notification and final community submissions.

Current stage-Submissions period

Release of the draft statutory neighbourhood plan for final community submissions
Submission period is until 5pm, Monday 10 September 2018.

Late 2018

Council will consider changes to the draft neighbourhood plan following a review of the submissions.
The Queensland Government will then complete a second state interest review.

Late 2018 to early 2019

Adoption of the statutory neighbourhood plan and inclusion in Brisbane City Plan 2014.
Council will also release further information on other activities and opportunities that the community can get involved with to further progress the vision for The Gap’s future.

Keep yourself updated with the developments regarding The Gap Neighbourhood Plan by subscribing to their email updates.

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan Update: Community Feedback On Housing, Green Space, Retail & Facilities

The Gap is widely considered as one of the most family-friendly and small business-friendly suburbs of Brisbane. Locals enjoy a laid-back, suburban lifestyle that they would hardly trade for anything else. However, there are always some tweaks that can make things better.

The Brisbane City Council is currently preparing a new neighbourhood plan for the suburb which will become part of the Brisbane City Plan 2014.

Community feedback for the plan was released from October to December 2017. The council received 47 physical submissions from various sources whilst 150 people submitted their feedback online through an interactive online map and feedback form.

The feedback from the locals highlight their preferences for the following:

Maintain the traditional suburban character of The Gap
More green spaces and vegetation in the area that includes the nomination of specific trees and plants that should be protected in the future
The Gap Village Shopping Centre to provide more services and facilities
More housing options such as homes for the elderly, smaller households, etc.

All of the feedback has been incorporated in the report that will is part of the neighbourhood draft plan.

More Housing Options

Most of the residents’ main concern is the housing in the area. 71% of the respondents are keen to preserve their low-density residential area. When it comes to housing diversity, the council received mixed responses.

More Local Businesses

The local community is also very particular about the small businesses in the area. Most feedback prefers to support small existing businesses in the area instead of new developments of large retail franchises. In fact, most of the residents support the redevelopment of Payne Rd Centre to pave the way for more local shops.

Preservation Of Green Spaces

As for the leafy vibe of the suburb, the council will preserve the green and leafy character to give locals more ways to enjoy nature. In light of this, the local community also seeks the reduction of bushfire in the area due to the increasing density in the area.

Locals are also calling for the maintenance of the bank of Enoggera Creek facing Paten Rd, walking tracks around the Enoggera Reservoir and Walkabout Creek facilities. There are also calls for extra bushwalking tracks as well as extensions to existing ones.

More Local Activities & Facilities

The community also seeks more activities that will give them opportunities to come together. One of the most popular activities are fitness and strength events. The residents have also put up suggestions for new facilities such as a community hall.

The plan is now with the Queensland Government for further review.

Also read: The Gap Neighbourhood Plan – What’s Happened So Far And How To Get Involved
Also read: Why Residents Hardly Leave The Gap & Other Brisbane Suburbs

Lifestyle, Green Spaces Seen as Top Concerns as The Gap Neighbourhood Plan Nears Completion

Brisbane City Council has released the latest draft of The Gap neighbourhood plan and should be ready to include it in the City Plan come early 2018.

The planning team has incorporated input from the community into the updated neighbourhood plan. Locals are further urged to have their say until Friday 8 December 2017.

The Gap Vision

The vision for the suburb is based on key considerations derived from initial planning studies and community feedback.

Housing for All – The plan is to ensure that there is ample housing available for people from all walks of life. To achieve this, the plan would maintain the suburban character of The Gap. At the same time, the suburb will still accommodate a range of housing options for locals.
Green and Leafy Spaces – Since The Gap is home to some of the biggest conservation parks in the city, the planning team intends to provide protection to the existing greeneries and open spaces. The plan would maintain and enhance public green spaces and provide protection against environmental hazards.
Centres for Village Life – The neighbourhood plan would reinvigorate the suburb with places for dining, shopping and relaxation. The strategy is to create spaces where locals can gather as a community. In particular, planners would revitalise The Gap Village and enhance the local shopping precincts.
Community Connections – The neighbourhood plan would seek opportunities for the community to interact and access services. To achieve this, the council would increase activities and programs at parks and community facilities.

Read: The Gap Neighbourhood Plan – What’s Happened So Far and How to Get Involved

Coverage of The Gap Neighbourhood Plan (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council)

Feedback on Neighbourhood Plan

Since the neighbourhood plan will form the basis for future developments in The Gap, residents are encouraged to have their say about the updated draft. The neighbourhood plan can alter rules on zoning and what types of development are appropriate.

The Gap residents can provide feedback by:

Emailing the project team
Calling Council on 3403 8888
Or writing to:
Neighbourhood Planning Brisbane (The Gap)
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane Qld 4001

The planning team will receive feedback until Friday 8 December 2017.

Learn more about The Gap neighbourhood plan.

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan – What’s Happened So Far and How to Get Involved

As Brisbane City Council continues to create a neighbourhood plan for the suburb of The Gap, the community is urged to get involved in the process.

The Gap Neighbourhood Plan will form a general guideline for future developments in the area. The plan aims to strike a balance by spurring economic activity while maintaining the suburban lifestyle of locals.

So far, the council has reached out to members of the community via an online survey to get a better idea of what the community wants to see happen in the area. A Community Planning Team has also been formed in 2016 to develop a draft neighbourhood plan strategy, which is expected to be released in mid-2017.

Coverage of the Neighbourhood Plan

(Source: Brisbane City Council)

Main Issues and Concerns

Through the online survey conducted from May 2016 to August 2016, the city council found the issues and concerns that are most important to residents in The Gap.

Top concerns include:

Improved traffic flow and main road decongestion
Better public transport services
Need for improvements to bicycle ways and footpaths
Maintenance of parks and open spaces
Appropriate development densities

In general, locals will like to have more natural green spaces, easy access to parks and play areas for children, quiet and peaceful areas, and bushland character.

Next Steps

The planning team will release the neighbourhood plan strategy to test the ideas raised by the team and the council’s technical studies. Locals will have a chance to comment on the strategy presented.

After receiving community feedback, the council will start preparing the draft neighbourhood plan during the latter part of 2017. This plan will then be reviewed by the Queensland Government.

In mid-2018, the draft neighbourhood plan will become part of Brisbane City Plan 2014.

To stay updated on The Gap Neighbourhood Plan, subscribe to email updates from Brisbane City Council.

You can also:
email the project team
or
write to them at
Neighbourhood Planning Brisbane (The Gap Neighbourhood Plan)
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane Qld 4001

Find out more about The Gap Neighbourhood Plan.