Nathan Action Group outraged over controversial development plan

They call themselves NAG.

And they love the tongue in cheek suggestion, because that's exactly what the Nathan Action Group was hoping to do.

The action group, from Brisbane's southside had taken aim at a local developer, angered by a plan for a 400-dwelling hub in their small, quiet suburb.

Around 15 residents have been meeting weekly, trying to figure out how they get their voices heard.

And they've chalked up a win.

Developers want to transform an old industrial site into a residential hub, with up to 400 townhouses and apartments.

The seven-hectare site is a rarity, within just 20 minutes drive of the CBD.

But the action group has chalked up a win.

Brisbane City Council says it won't support the application in its current form, and has asked the developer to reconsider traffic management in the area as well as height and density issues.

Residents feared the development would double the population in their small forest bound suburb and cause dangerous traffic gridlock.

"That’s probably the biggest concern, the traffic influx, "action group leader Josh Wood told 9NEWS.

Resident Annamarie Newton feared a bushfire or flood emergency with too many people trying to funnel out of the one exit.

"If there's an emergency and we only have one access point in and out of this suburb ... they'll be a stampede," she said.

In a statement given to 9NEWS, on behalf of the developers, Southway Services 2, explained their application to change the site from industrial use to residential may help improve the suburbs property values.

"Currently being zoned industrial will allow 'as of right' buildings up to 9.5-metre high and three to five meters from the boundary and can go to 15 meters after a set back of approximately 20 meters allowing for an industrial precinct," Southway Services 2 stated.

"This may have adverse effects to local residential property values. In terms of residential the current application demonstrates equivalent to a two-storey town houses facing the street and less than 15 meters at the rear of the site."

The residents are hoping to meet with developers and help design a new plan that they can endorse.

"We want a win win for everybody but we have to be at that consultation table," Ms Newton said.