Behind the leafy avenues and large blocks of Bridgeman Downs stands a five-bedroom house that has sat empty for nearly ten years. Once a picture of suburban prosperity, it’s now a symbol of a growing issue: prime properties lying idle whilst the state faces a deepening housing crisis.
Read: Petition to Stop Development Proposal at Bridgeman Downs Gathers Support
This home, located at 415 Beckett Road, isn’t alone. While not topping the list of Brisbane’s most vacant suburbs like South Brisbane or the CBD, Bridgeman Downs is part of a wider trend. Across Greater Brisbane, an estimated 6700 homes are sitting empty, and Bridgeman Downs’ spacious lots and development potential make it fertile ground for stalled subdivision plans, speculative ownership, or long-term vacancies.
The five-bedroom house in question has been the subject of multiple subdivision proposals, none of which have come to fruition. Neighbours have watched the property sit untouched for years, its potential never realised.
Why are homes being left empty?
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) highlighted a concerning trend across Brisbane’s more desirable postcodes. The bureau’s Personal Integrated Data Asset (PLIDA), combining electricity data with administrative records, found that 1.2 per cent of Brisbane homes were inactive as of mid-2021. That equates to roughly one in 100 homes.
In suburbs like Bridgeman Downs, known for larger properties, ageing homeowners, and increasing developer interest, homes are sometimes left empty due to estate disputes, lengthy planning approvals, or the high cost of development.
The COVID-19 pandemic also played a role. With projects paused and mobility limited, many homes that might have turned over remained in limbo. The ABS noted that the data is experimental and affected by the pandemic context, but the problem remains visible today.
The broader picture: non-primary residences and land banking
Across Brisbane, over 55,000 homes are classified as “non-primary residences.” These include holiday homes, short-term rentals, second homes, and properties held vacant while owners wait for favourable market conditions—a practice known as land banking.
In areas like Bridgeman Downs, the size and value of the land make it especially attractive to investors. Yet this speculation can come at a cost to housing availability.
Policy inaction and past proposals
In 2022, a proposed 5 per cent empty homes levy aimed to encourage owners to bring vacant properties into the rental market. The legislation failed to pass, but it sparked debate about how to address unused housing stock.
Meanwhile, Victoria has taken the lead, expanding its vacant residential land tax statewide. Properties unused for more than six months can now be taxed at 1 per cent of their value—unless exempt for reasons such as renovations or use as a genuine holiday home.
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Queensland has yet to follow suit. The state has instead introduced measures like abolishing stamp duty for first home buyers on new builds and allowing them to rent out rooms, in an effort to free up more housing.
As Brisbane’s population grows and housing pressure intensifies, empty homes like this one in Bridgeman Downs are becoming harder to ignore. They represent not just private choices, but a public challenge, one that may demand a stronger policy response if Queensland hopes to make full use of the homes it already has.
Published 22-May-2025
