The rarity of developable inner-city land is causing contention as developers snap up the blocks to build high-density developments while residents resist change.
Urban sociologist Peter Walters said unsympathetic developers had changed the nature of gentrification in Brisbane.
More QLD News Videos
- Video duration
- 01:23
Brisbane CBD prices going up
Brisbane CBD prices going up
The average apartment price in the Brisbane CBD has risen to $673,000 as the number of new units drops dramatically. Nine News
Up Next
Local council candidate grilled over $30k LNP donation
- Video duration
- 02:40
- Video duration
- 02:40
Local council candidate grilled over $30k ...
Local council candidate grilled over $30k LNP donation
Appearing before Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission on Tuesday, Kristyn Boulton is asked about running as an independent in the 2016 QLD local elections - despite financial support from the LNP, via Federal MP Stuart Robert.
Up Next
MP Stuart Robert defends $30k donations
- Video duration
- 03:05
- Video duration
- 03:05
MP Stuart Robert defends $30k donations
MP Stuart Robert defends $30k donations
Appearing before Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission on Tuesday, Liberal MP Stuart Robert admitted he arranged for his lucrative Liberal National Party fundraising vehicle - the Fadden Forum - to pay his long-term electorate officers $30,000 each to run as independent candidates in local elections.
Up Next
Corruption probe into elections
- Video duration
- 01:13
- Video duration
- 01:13
Corruption probe into elections
Corruption probe into elections
Gold Coast, Ipswich and Moreton Bay councils are the focus of a Crime and Corruption Commission hearing into the 2016 local government elections. Nine News
Up Next
Toxic spill in Brisbane river
- Video duration
- 01:41
- Video duration
- 01:41
Toxic spill in Brisbane river
Toxic spill in Brisbane river
People continued to swim and fish in the Brisbane River throughout the Easter long weekend despite the leaking of "22,000 litres of a very dangerous chemical". Nine News: April 15, 2017
Up Next
Public school camp out
- Video duration
- 01:22
- Video duration
- 01:22
Public school camp out
Public school camp out
Brisbane parents camp overnight to enrol their kids into the Seven Hills State School, in the city's inner east. Nine News
Up Next
Motorcyclist killed at Hendra
- Video duration
- 00:51
- Video duration
- 00:51
Motorcyclist killed at Hendra
Motorcyclist killed at Hendra
A motorbike rider is killed after colliding with a ute at Hendra on Tuesday morning as two people are also killed on the Bruce Highway. Nine News
Up Next
Baby loggerhead turtles released off Mooloolaba coast
- Video duration
- 01:03
- Video duration
- 01:03
Baby loggerhead turtles released off ...
Baby loggerhead turtles released off Mooloolaba coast
After months of care almost 60 turtles were released into QLD waters on Monday.
Brisbane CBD prices going up
The average apartment price in the Brisbane CBD has risen to $673,000 as the number of new units drops dramatically. Nine News
"Property becomes so valuable ... big developers and big corporations start to come in and start to make wholesale changes, often not that sympathetically to the local character or local culture," he said.
"We run the risk of having really boring, mediocre outcomes which we're stuck with then for 100 years."
Dr Walters said residents in Milton, Toowong, East Brisbane, Woolloongabba and West End were resisting development.
"I think in West End the opposition has been particularly strong, I think because of the nature of the development," he said.
"A lot of it is very unsympathetic to the local area – it's too much, it's too big, it's too dense."
West Village development 'a missed opportunity'
Controversy has surrounded the proposed $800 million redevelopment of the Absoe site at West End for the past two years.
In April, 2015, Brisbane City Council received a development application for 1350 apartments across seven buildings ranging from 15 to 25 storeys, with 95 per cent coverage of the 2.6-hectare site – and gave it the tick of approval 12 months later.
Deputy Premier Jackie Trad seized planning control in September and come November she gave the development the green light, subject to several conditions including a reduction of site cover, number of apartments and building height.
The state government ruled the number of units must not exceed 1250 with the seven buildings to range from eight to 22 storeys, and ruled there must be at least 20 per cent green space.
Cox Architects director David Cox said he believed there was more that could be done with the site.
"We're just going to be left with taller and taller buildings littered all over the site," Mr Cox said.
"I'm not anti-development, I'm just anti-bad development."
Cox Architects devised their own development plans for the site.
Mr Cox's proposal involved creating a ring of seven buildings around the perimeter of the site. The building height or number of apartments was not included, but Mr Cox proposed the buildings facing Mollison Street be about eight storeys to allow light and air into the courtyard and the buildings at the rear of the site go no higher than 15 storeys.
Mr Cox's proposal allowed for 35 per cent open space, including a large internal courtyard of approximately one hectare.
Mr Cox also proposed a new transport hub by setting back the buildings facing Mollison Street to cater for lay-by areas, and said the original design had no access for emergency service vehicles within the site.
"There are practical reasons why the idea of an internal courtyard – besides the aesthetics – makes sense," he said.
"It gives services and it also gives better viewing from the buildings that surround it."
Mr Cox said he wanted to publicise his plan, that took several months to devise, to improve development in West End.
"I think this is the best plan for the public under the circumstances," he said.
Mr Cox said he presented his plans to the state government and the urban planners for the West Village development, LandPartners, but did not receive a response.
Dr Walters said if development like West Village continued the diverse nature of West End would be lost.
"I think the West Village development is a missed opportunity," he said.
"It's really just going to be a bunch of apartments and some high-end retail which is pretty unimaginative really for such a fantastic opportunity."
A West Village spokesman said construction of stage one had started, but the timing of the next stages had not been finalised.