Population growth driven by planning changes is not always matched by upgrades to roads, public transport, schools, and utilities. This can result in congestion, overcrowded services, and declining amenity. Without coordinated infrastructure planning, the burden falls on existing residents.

Promises that infrastructure will keep pace with development are frequently not realised. Funding constraints and planning delays mean that communities can experience years of strain before upgrades occur—if they occur at all.

Proposed planning changes allow for significantly higher density in areas previously characterised by low-rise, family housing. This can lead to oversized developments that are out of proportion with surrounding homes, reducing privacy, sunlight, and open space. Over time, the cumulative effect is a fundamental change in neighbourhood character, often without meaningful input from residents.

Statewide design standards cannot fully account for the unique characteristics of individual neighbourhoods. As a result, developments may technically comply with guidelines while still being out of place within their surroundings.

Many reforms aim to streamline planning approvals, but this often comes at the expense of community consultation. Residents may have fewer opportunities to object to or influence developments that directly affect them, weakening local democratic processes.

While streamlining may benefit developers, it often limits scrutiny and reduces opportunities for residents to engage. This can lead to outcomes that prioritise speed over quality and community needs.

While the reforms are often justified as a way to address housing affordability, there is little evidence that market-driven developments will deliver genuinely affordable options. New housing is frequently priced at the upper end of the market, doing little to assist those most in need.

New developments frequently include reduced parking provisions, based on assumptions about transport use that may not reflect local reality. This shifts parking demand onto already crowded streets, increasing congestion and frustration for residents and visitors alike.

As block sizes are maximised for development, mature trees and gardens are frequently removed. This reduces urban canopy cover, increases heat, and diminishes biodiversity. Green space plays a critical role in liveability, and its gradual loss can significantly affect both environmental quality and community wellbeing.