There used to be a height limit of 8.5m applied to residential buildings and in particular houses. However so many houses now exceed this limit that to all intents, the "rule" no longer appears to apply.
In recent cases we have heard of, it seems that building and planning authorities have simply given up.
There is one case in court where we understand that the building is higher that it should be because its owners claim that the ground level has been excavated although they can no longer prove that!
In the example at Chelmer, the renovations of an "Old Queenslander" led to claims of the roof being higher than 8.5m. Following a local community campaign, it appears Council requested an application to approve the relaxation of the excessive height. Work continued during the advertising and decision period...hardly a good omen, if supporting the 8.5m seemed the right thing to do! The building was approved exceeding 8.5m.
The latest example (illustrated) at Indooroopilly Road near the St Lucia Golf Course raises the question of how a two storey house can be placed on so much fill and not be more than 8.5m high. In this example, the natural ground level is pretty clear on the adjoining golf course!
So what can nearby neighbours expect?
It was always understood the 8.5m was measured vertically above the original ground level at any point on a site to take account of slopes.
These examples suggest that the height limit can be virtually ignored ... if the developer has the means to get away with it!