NIMBY vs YIMBY? Is saying “no” to change protecting community character — or blocking the homes our cities desperately need?

In this episode, we sit down with Jonathan O’Brien, lead organizer of YIMBY Melbourne, to unpack what’s at stake when communities resist — or embrace — change.

We dig into whether opposing development is simply selfish or a legitimate defense of lifestyle and character, and whether YIMBY optimism sometimes overlooks practical realities. From heritage streetscapes and leafy suburbs to missing-middle density and downsizer demand, this is a frank look at the trade-offs that come with growth.

Jonathan also explores the politics of planning: why local councils resist, why states override, and why those locked out of housing are the most under-represented stakeholders in the debate. We tackle sensitive questions about fairness: who pays when new homes aren’t built, and who loses when change does come?

If you’ve ever wondered why housing reform feels so stuck, and why both sides of the NIMBY/YIMBY divide can be right and wrong at the same time, this episode will challenge assumptions and reframe the conversation.

Episode Highlights

00:00 – Welcome

01:14 – Jonathan O'Brien's and YIMBY Melbourne

01:48 – Progress and Challenges in Melbourne's Housing Policy

03:21 – Success Stories and Comparisons with Sydney

04:44 – Docklands: A Controversial Development

07:39 – The Missing Middle and Medium Density Housing

22:06 – Balancing Heritage and Development

28:39 – Planning Regulation Challenges

30:01 – Developer Strategies and Urban Planning

31:39 – Heritage and Housing Density

32:47 – Quality Concerns in New Developments

35:07 – Zoning and Urban Planning Dynamics

38:27 – Economic and Social Impacts of Rezoning

41:53 – Balancing Development and Community Needs

50:13 – State vs. Local Control in Urban Planning

52:05 – Conclusion and Final Thoughts

About the Guest

Jonathan O’Brien is the lead organizer of YIMBY Melbourne, an advocate for smarter housing policy, and an award-winning writer and publisher. A passionate voice for effective altruism and urban reform, he works to shift the conversation around density, planning, and affordability toward more equitable outcomes.

With a background in community organizing and a commitment to evidence-based change, Jonathan brings both sharp analysis and lived experience to the often polarizing debate between NIMBYs and YIMBYs. His mission: to help shape cities that are inclusive, adaptable, and built for the next generation.

Connect with Jonathan

• Website: https://jonobri.com/
• YIMBY Melbourne website: https://www.yimby.melbourne/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jonobridotcom/
• X: https://x.com/jonobri
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonobri/

Resources

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