Most lawyers in this city are just guessing how the 2032 Olympics legislation will actually hold up in a real court of law.
The current status of right now in Brisbane is a bit of a legal minefield, if I am being completely honest. We are seeing a massive influx of new residents who expect southern standards, but our local statutes are still catching up to the growth. It is a transition that feels like the thin end of the wedge for many long-term residents. It is overwhelming.
Table of Contents
When the housing crisis…
Total regulatory mess. The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act is being pushed to its absolute breaking point by the sheer volume of disputes. Me and my colleagues have spent the last six months trying to untangle the new laws regarding rent bidding and frequency. There’s many reasons why the system is failing both sides of the fence. It is exhausting.
Actually, I was going to mention – well, it doesn’t matter now. We have to look at how the state government is trying to balance the human right to shelter with the commercial reality of property investment. If you are a landlord or a tenant, you probably feel like you are losing the game. Fair suck of the sauce bottle, the paperwork alone is enough to drive anyone to the brink. It is punishing.
Those 2032 Olympic laws…
Pure legal theater. The state has introduced special powers that allow them to bypass traditional council planning permissions for “essential infrastructure” related to the Games. This means your local park or heritage building could disappear overnight without the usual right of appeal. (I still think the coffee at the corner of George Street is getting worse by the day). Good grief!
The Law Society will love this.
You have to be careful when signing any commercial lease that might be in the “Olympic footprint” zone. These contracts often contain clauses that allow for early termination if the government decides they need your dirt for a stadium. It is a massive risk for small businesses trying to build a future ahead for their families. It is terrifying.
Youth crime and the…
A political football. The amendments to the Youth Justice Act have created a significant backlog in our local courts because the facilities are simply full. Legal professionals are seeing a shift toward tougher sentencing, yet the recidivism rates suggest that the law is not acting as the deterrent people hoped. We are stuck between a rock and a hard place legally. It is frustrating.
Dealing with the river…
Always the water. Flood mapping and the subsequent insurance litigation are dominating the civil courts after the recent seasonal surges we have experienced. If you are buying property near the river, the “standard” disclosure forms, permits and titles might not be enough to protect you. You need to look at the historical data, the current zoning and the future projections. Be careful.
[Note: Check the 2026 February amendment on strata titles before sending this to the client.]
Insurance companies are getting craftier with their “Act of God” exclusions, which is leaving many Brisbane homeowners in the lurch. We are seeing a rise in class actions against local authorities for failing to maintain drainage infrastructure in older suburbs. The final conclusion at the end is that you cannot trust a 1 in 100 year flood map anymore. It is a lie.
Future of the Valley…
Changing too fast. The redevelopment of Fortitude Valley is creating a clash between heritage listing, noise regulations and commercial greed. We are seeing more noise complaints and liquor licensing disputes than I can count on both hands. The legal definition of “reasonable enjoyment” is being rewritten by the minute as high-rises go up next to nightclubs. It is loud.
Property developers are pushing the limits of what the Planning and Environment Court will allow in terms of density. For a local resident, this means your view and your property value are at the mercy of a judge who might not live in your postcode. We must stay vigilant and engage with the legal process before the concrete is poured. It is vital.
The past history of Brisbane shows we are a city that likes to knock things down and start over, but the law is finally starting to value our architectural legacy. We have to ensure that the rules, regulations and policies we set today are actually sustainable for the next generation. It is a tall order.
I reckon we will look back on 2026 as the year the legal profession in Queensland had to grow up or get out of the way. There is no room for “she’ll be right” when you are dealing with billion-dollar infrastructure and a housing shortage. It is a new world.