The familiar strip of op shops, real estate agencies and cafes along Logan Road in Mount Gravatt could soon be unrecognisable, as Brisbane moves ahead with ambitious plans to transform the area into a high-density residential hub.
Read: Mt Gravatt Renewal Plan Puts Spotlight on Koala Protection
The Mt Gravatt Centre Suburban Renewal Precinct Plan proposes apartment towers reaching between 12 and 16 storeys along the Logan Road corridor, marking one of the city’s most dramatic density increases in a suburban centre. The tallest development, a 16-storey tower, would sit atop Mount Gravatt Plaza in this established suburb 13 kilometres south of the CBD.
Public consultation on the draft plan closed on 14 December 2025, following a month-long period that attracted both support and significant concern from the local community.
Community Divided Over Development Scale
The plan has sparked mixed reactions from residents, with demographic data showing Mount Gravatt is predominantly a family suburb. The average age is 35, almost half of all households have children, and two-thirds of residents live in freestanding houses. Currently, only one in five residents live in apartments.
Concerns raised during consultation focused on the suburb’s capacity to absorb thousands of new residents. Unlike other designated renewal precincts including Wynnum, Alderley and Stones Corner, Mount Gravatt Centre lacks a train station or direct access to the South East Busway, a fact not lost on many residents.
Questions about public transport capacity, traffic congestion and the absence of affordable housing mandates have dominated community discussions. Residents have also expressed concern about the loss of usable green space and the suburb’s defining characteristic—mountain views from Logan Road and surrounding streets.
The peak of Mount Gravatt mountain, visible from the Coles car park at Mount Gravatt Plaza and various points along the high street, provides a unique aspect that locals describe as having a calming effect. Some fear that 12 to 16-storey towers will block these sightlines permanently.
Despite residential concerns, some business owners and shoppers have expressed optimism about the renewal plan. Local restaurant operators believe increased foot traffic from apartment dwellers would benefit struggling businesses along the high street. Long-term residents shopping on Logan Road have described the current area as stagnant and in need of revitalisation.
Cr Adrian Schrinner has acknowledged residents’ cautious approach but remains confident the plan will benefit the broader community. He noted that suburban renewal projects consistently deliver positive outcomes, addressing concerns about fundamental change to established neighbourhoods.
Some council members have raised questions about whether adequate infrastructure investment will accompany the increased density, with concerns that Mount Gravatt locals deserve better services for their growing community.
A High Street Frozen in Time
Mount Gravatt’s high street hasn’t changed substantially in four decades. The old Franklins supermarket has been demolished, and the former Mitre 10 hardware store now houses medical services and a restaurant, but the character of Logan Road has remained largely static.
Now, Brisbane’s planners envision a complete transformation. Promotional materials describe the area evolving into a vibrant and distinctive urban village over the next 20 years, with increased density expected to revitalise the struggling high street and attract additional services.
The proposal would permit five to 12-storey apartment towers along the length of Logan Road between Creek and Nursery roads, with a 16-storey tower planned for Mount Gravatt Plaza. Suburban streets behind the plaza, near the Mount Gravatt Showgrounds, would be rezoned to allow three-storey apartment blocks.
What Happens Next
The draft precinct plan, developed from technical investigations and initial community feedback collected in mid-2025, outlines several key objectives: increasing housing choice through updated zoning and building heights, supporting local businesses, enhancing public spaces with improved shade and greenery, maximising transport connections, improving walkability through new arcades and alleys, and ensuring development maintains the area’s subtropical character.
Brisbane will now review all submissions received during the consultation period before refining and adopting the precinct plan into Brisbane City Plan 2014. Once adopted, the plan will guide and assess property development applications across the designated area.
Read: Expanded Living Plans Proposed for Upper Mt Gravatt
Mount Gravatt would join a growing list of suburban renewal precincts, with Moorooka and Salisbury also being considered for similar transformations as Brisbane attempts to address housing shortages through infill development rather than urban sprawl.
Published 29-December-2025
