Design quality

• Residents express dissatisfaction with new development in other parts of Brisbane and with the type of development likely for high-rise development in Sandgate, characterised by wall-to-wall imposing concrete structures. This is considered completely inappropriate and unsympathetic to Sandgate’s unique identity and character.
• There is a need for genuine streetscape design that reflects Sandgate’s historic character (as opposed to ad-hoc development of the lowest common denominator).
• One commenter draws a sharp distinction between “town planning” (which should produce coherent, liveable places) and what they describe as the current reality: “building development controllers” who look at each proposal individually.
• Residents acknowledge that talented planners and architects exist, but feel their voices “don’t drive the outcomes of housing policies.”
• There is frustration that Queensland planning tends to focus on building height and profit rather than design quality: “this is Queensland where the main concern is how tall it is and profit-centric dull ugly design.”
• A broader range of design options with community input should be explored in Sandgate, in recognition that this is not your typical Brisbane suburb.

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