A small piece of land in Brisbane’s inner city has attracted significant attention after selling for $855,000, highlighting the growing value of development opportunities as the city changes its residential planning rules.

The 185-square-metre driveway site in Petrie Terrace sold for more than $4,600 per square metre. The result is particularly striking because the property was essentially a small parcel of vacant land rather than a conventional house.

The sale comes as Brisbane City Council moves toward changes that will allow smaller residential lots and encourage greater housing density in selected areas. Under the changes, minimum lot sizes in some low- to medium-density residential zones can fall from 260 square metres to 120 square metres.

The policy is designed to make it easier to build smaller homes, terraces and townhouses, particularly in locations close to shopping centres and established infrastructure. Supporters argue that increasing the supply of smaller dwellings can help Brisbane accommodate population growth and provide more housing choices.

However, changes to residential density can also generate debate about neighbourhood character, traffic, infrastructure and pressure on existing services.

The Petrie Terrace transaction provides a useful illustration of why developers and investors are paying close attention to Brisbane’s planning reforms. Smaller blocks may become increasingly valuable if they can support new forms of housing development.

The changes are expected to affect a substantial portion of Brisbane’s residential area, including suburbs such as Morningside, Indooroopilly and Highgate Hill.

The sale therefore offers an early indication of how the property market may respond to the new planning environment. While one transaction cannot determine the direction of the entire market, the price demonstrates the premium investors may place on development potential in inner Brisbane.