Adrian Schrinner's quest to have a federal government quarantine facility at Pinkenba used for crisis accommodation reached a new stage this week after the Lord Mayor and housing industry advocates toured the facilities.
Mr Schrinner, who was also joined by Central Ward representative Vicki Howard, said that "a lot of thought and effort had gone into building what is a very high standard of facility".
The facility has a commercial kitchen which could produce meals for more than 500 people, a health and security centre, CCTV and duress alarms.
There were also 250 car parks and double, single and family rooms, with some providing access for those with a disability.
"There must be a better use for this facility, rather than $400 million of tax payer money going into this facility with nothing happening," Mr Schrinner said.
"I think it'd make an ideal evacuation centre, such as in a flood, bushfire or cyclone.
"There could be wraparound services provided at that facility.
"It also has the potential to be used as a first point of call for people at risk of homelessness.
"Those living in cars, tents; this would be an option for them."
While discussions were still underway with state and federal governments, Mr Schrinner said he "felt positive" about being able to reach an agreement on how to use the facility.
Changes to granny flat allowances
This week, Brisbane City Council also passed changes to its City Plan 2014 to allow granny flats to house people other than members of the property owner's family.
Other changes will ensure granny flats are built to fit the amenity of a neighbourhood, including a ban on two-storey backyard buildings.
City Planning and Suburban Renewal committee chairman Adam Allan said granny flats would soon have to be "scaled appropriately to the site" they were built on.
A requirement for new housing developments to have 15 per cent of the site covered by deep plantings — the planting of large trees with no obstructions underneath the earth — and a tightening of restrictions over the retention of buildings and streetscapes deemed to be in traditional character was also passed.
The council has also identified 200 short-term accommodation sites which have sat vacant for 60 days, enacting its new policy to charge owners of such properties an extra 50 per cent on its rates bills.
Mr Schrinner said many owners identified themselves, others were informed upon or found via a technological survey.
Plan for housing on industrial sites 'botched from start': Labor
The council's vision for transforming Moorooka's Magic Mile into an economy-boosting commercial and residential hub also moved a step forward after the Nathan-Salisbury-Moorooka Neighbourhood Plan was passed as well.
Deputy Mayor Krista Adams said turning Moorooka's strip of auto yards into a "world-class business and living precinct" would still retain low density housing but provide more housing variety near schools and public transport infrastructure, such as the new Cross River Rail project.
"Most of the area remains unchanged while improving the amenity of the area," she said.
Mr Schrinner said while a ban on townhouses in low-density residential areas would remain, they higher-density housing options could be built on industrial or commercial sites that were converted to residential.
But Labor Opposition leader Jared Cassidy says that "these changes are all happening in the absence of an [LNP] housing strategy".
He said the Nathan-Salisbury-Moorooka Neighbourhood Plan was "botched from the start, with no negotiation or consultation from residents".
Those living in the area have been vocal about their disdain for the draft plan, creating a 700-signature petition asking council to start from scratch on the proposal, and submitting 1,150 pieces of feedback and making 290 submissions against the project.
More than 300 people turned up to a neighbourhood meeting to discuss the plan in October.
"That's all the evidence you need to show neighbourhood planning is broken in Brisbane," Mr Cassidy said.
"[Residents] feel like the decision was already made before they were asked about it."
The state government will now review the proposed amendments to both the City Plan 2014 and the Nathan-Salisbury-Moorooka Neighbourhood Plan, and the council says that "agreement will be sought to publicly consult on the proposed amendment".
"Public consultation on the proposed amendment, including consequential changes and amendments to planning scheme policies, would then be undertaken," a council report stated.
