1 day ago
4
Suburban pubs in Brisbane are being encouraged to bring back old-school overnight accommodation.
The council initiative is part of a push to increase short-stay rooms ahead of the 2032 Olympics.
Planning regulations will be changed to make it easier for pub owners to build new hotel rooms and conference facilities.
The Regatta Hotel in Toowong could be a prime candidate for accommodation.
“We’re going back to the future,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner told the council chamber on Tuesday afternoon.
“There was a time when every local pub was also a place to stay.
“These can be built much faster and much more affordably than the tall inner-city buildings … so we’ll be encouraging the industry to step up.”
Brisbane had about 21,000 hotel rooms in 2023, with thousands built since then.
Redeveloping 20 suburban pubs could increase that number by about 1600, according to the lord mayor’s office.
Some councillors questioned the announcement, and independent Nicole Johnston said it could cause major challenges.
Loading
“I think the lord mayor may have been spending too long in the pub if he thinks allowing huge suburban pub developments adjoining quiet residential areas is a good idea,” she said.
“It’s already a challenge in the Valley.”
The Labor opposition said the plan had some merit, but would not make a significant difference.
“It’s good to see council finally try to give Brisbane’s pubs and motels a fair shot against Airbnb – a multinational behemoth operating largely unchecked for a decade,” leader Jared Cassidy said in a statement.
“This is just a little dot point Adrian Schrinner can point to without taking any truly meaningful action to address the housing and homelessness crisis.”
The announcement came hours after the lord mayor revealed the council was considering banning Airbnb in some areas.
Public consultation for the pub plan is open until February 28, 2026.
Start the day with a summary of the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.
Most Viewed in National
Loading
