Bad TV News promo misleads the community again and again!
The developer vs community narrative continues on!
This week, a sensationalist television report took aim at ‘rooming accommodation’. The false claims in promotion advertising stated ‘rooming accommodation’ as ‘units’ which gives the false impression that developers are building multiple dwellings such as townhouses or apartments. In Queensland planning schemes, ‘multiple dwellings’ and ‘rooming accommodation’ are two entirely different legal uses.
The Brisbane based television program heavily promoted its upcoming report in the leadup to the 6pm News. However, the full news story finally confirmed it was concerning ‘rooming accommodation’ – but viewers who had just seen the promo clips and not the news broadcast would have been left with a false perception.
Under the planning scheme ‘rooming accommodation’ means the use of residential accommodation, as long as each resident does not have the right to occupy the whole premises or a self-contained unit. Therefore, all facilities are shared, except a bedroom and sometimes a bathroom. The City Plan enables rooming accommodation for a maximum of five occupants in the Low density and Character residential zones.
The story centered around developers taking advantage of planning laws to make a quick buck. But once you got past the big flashing lights and whizzing words, SCANDAL and OUTRAGE flying over the TV screen the story did in fact get to the crux of the issue – Queensland’s housing affordability crisis. It reiterated how ‘rooming accommodation’ offers a safe haven that is affordable for many Queenslanders. It is important, falsified claims which scare monger the community into believing any development other than a dwelling house is bad, must be called out!
The industry needs to educate and empower the community with strong and meaningful engagement to bridge the gap and turn this ingrained mindset around. Housing diversity and choice in our Brisbane suburbs is vital to ensure everyone has access to safe and affordable housing.
YIMBY Qld wants the community, industry and government to unite to shape Queensland into an environment which offers sustainable, liveable and inclusive homes for everyone.
