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NIMBY – the movement

NIMBYism, or the Not in My Backyard’ movement refers to the opposition or resistance by residents to proposed changes or developments in their communities.

While community engagement is crucial in decision-making processes, NIMBYism is usually driven by the concern of potential negative impacts, such as increased traffic, noise, or reduced property values, often driving residents to oppose new housing developments or initiatives that promote diversity. When developments are built, these fears rarely come to pass.

The term NIMBY is generally used by housing advocates to specifically refer to residents who have significant privilege and aim to maintain their privilege, rather than embracing residents who oppose development due to concerns about displacement or other reasons.

How does NIMBY affect housing choice?

Fear is one of the major driving factors from NIMBY supporters.

Opposition driven by fear, almost always never results in a positive outcome – this is why NIMBYism tends to lead to a disproportionate opposition to housing development projects – especially those involving affordable, high and medium density developments.

It also means that more often than not, the option to ‘rightsize’ in existing neighbourhoods becomes increasingly difficult and Queenslanders are priced out of communities where NIMBYism is prevalent.

Why NIMBY is bad for diversity

With the demand for dwellings in Queensland at an all-time high, and more Queenslanders living under housing stress, NIMBYism puts further pressure on housing by hindering the diversification of housing stock.

When high or medium density developments or affordable housing projects are fiercely opposed against, this means that efforts to accommodate Queenslanders with different housing needs are often stalled or significantly negatively impacted.

There is no doubt that the exclusion model of NIMBYism, perpetuates social and economic segregation, preventing individuals from accessing housing that suits their needs, preferences, and budgets.

As a consequence, Queensland communities miss out on the vital benefits of diverse housing, which range from promoting economic strength to enhancing social inclusion.

What’s YIMBY?

YIMBY, an acronym standing for "Yes In My Backyard," describes advocates who support housing development as a response to the outcomes of restrictive zoning and planning policies.

YIMBYism, sets on challenging the NIMBY mindset by promoting housing choice and diversity with the goal of encouraging communities to say yes to sensible increases in housing density, and converting ‘nimbys’ into ‘yimbys’.

Challenging the NIMBY mindset isn’t an easy task, but it all starts with having a conversation.

Conversations between developers, community groups, and residents can help bridge the gap and drive out misconceptions.

Shifting NIMBYism in South East Queensland

Given rapid growth in South East Queensland (SEQ), there is a huge demand to address the challenges, such as NIMBYism, associated with managing and shaping the future development of the SEQ region.

This is where the South East Queensland Regional Plan comes into play.

ShapingSEQ, acts as a strategic framework to manage growth and enable sufficient housing supply (and choice) across the region.

The draft ShapingSEQ 2023 update has now been released and is open for public consultation. It’s now more important than ever to have your say and ensure that ShapingSEQ best represents the interests of your local community.

There are many ways to get involved in having your say. You can:

• Book an online talk-to-a-planner session
• Attend an in-person community session in your local council area
• Leave a comment on our comment board
• Have your say by answering our quick poll questions
• Provide a feedback submission

For more information visit https://shapingseq.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au/

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