A development application has been lodged for a 25-storey+rooftop, high-rise tower, the first of five planned in a small, central section of Yeerongpilly Green. This is an extraordinary developer-led proposal that does not comply with the City Plan nor the QLD State Government Masterplan.
When developers ignore both State and Council planning rules, it causes a disconnect with community expectations, essential infrastructure, and the existing city shape. For example, the current DA is higher than many residential towers in West End where high-rise is allowed. Their roads, parks, drainage, schools and more cannot cope. Is that what we want for Yeerongpilly, Tennyson and Yeronga?
I know that residents and businesses want to see further improvements to the precinct, but that should not be under pressure from the developer at the community’s expense. Yeerongpilly is a low-density suburb that will be forever changed if the first of multiple 25-storey high-rise buildings is allowed.
I urge residents to look beyond the glossy marketing images you may have seen. I support good development that includes essential infrastructure and upgrades to community facilities. This proposal falls far short, and I believe should be revised or rejected.
You can review the full development application materials on Council’s website here.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact my office.
Regards, Cr Nicole Johnston.
Key Concerns
- A 25-storey+rooftop building almost three times the 9-storey height limit
- No new community infrastructure or facilities
- Thousands of additional cars per week on local roads
- Limited environmental sustainability measures
- Loss of public on-street parking on Bedivere St
- Conversion of former morgue into a shop not a public art or community project
- Limited activation of Queen’s Way high street
- A huge generic design that lacks aesthetic sensitivity
- Sloped batters reducing usable green space
- No stormwater upgrades or flood mitigation measures
How to Make a Submission
You can make a submission at any time about any issues of concern to you. I have drafted a submission that you are welcome to use and customise when you make your submission. You can download a copy of the draft submission here. Please personalise your submission to say how the development will impact on you and your family. Please make sure you include your name and address and sign your submission. You can ask for your name and address to be redacted, but this information must be included.
A hard copy of the submission is available from my office. Feel free to pop in and sign and we will submit it for you.
Background – More Development on a Smaller Site
What residents have not been told about the current proposal is that behind closed doors the QLD State Government has done a deal with the developer which significantly reduces the size of the Yeerongpilly Green
and land banks about two-thirds of the residential area (37,000sqm) for unknown purposes.
If the Consolidated plan goes ahead, approx. 1000 units across five, 25-storey+ towers will be jammed into a much smaller area (19,000sqm) than originally planned. Under the existing plan this area is zoned for buildings ranging in height from two to nine storeys.
Under the approved plans, the total number of units expected across whole site (56,000sqm) was just 1200 units.
The State Government’s intent for the other half of the site, south of Godiva Ave, is unknown. This huge parcel of land south of Godiva Ave (37,000 sqm) is now no longer within the existing Consolidated Properties development footprint.
Under the existing masterplan this area (marked in red) was zoned to allow up to 12 storey buildings, the maximum approved height under the planning scheme, and would have taken the bulk of the 1200 units originally planned. This was a deliberate design decision by the State Government to locate the vast majority of high-rise away from the existing residential community and above the flood zone.
It is outrageous that the State Government and developer have not notified the community about these changes or their future plans.
If Consolidated Properties are allowed to circumvent the existing City Plan and Masterplan requirements and set a precedent, I am concerned that the whole site could end up home to dozens of high-rise towers and thousands more units than expected in future, all without community input, essential infrastructure or additional community facilities.
I believe development should not be developer-led nor done by stealth. That is when bad decisions are made that irrevocably change local communities. I encourage you to speak up now before it is too late and a precedent is set.