Will doubling homes bring this Brisbane strip back to life or kill its character?
“I feel like Stones Corner, as it is now, was sort of set and made in the ’90s and hasn’t really changed.”
Therein lies the conundrum facing residents and business owners in the trendy and once-bustling inner-Brisbane suburb, where plans to alter regulations could see the number of homes double.
Resident Tom Morgan shared his observation of Stones Corner’s current vibe with Brisbane Times in reaction to a city council proposal to alter planning regulations to allow up to 20-storey apartment buildings on some blocks.
Resident Tom Morgan says renewal of Stones Corner could add to the vibrancy of the strip.Credit: William Davis.
Under the change, total dwellings could climb from about 800 to 2000 by 2046.
Morgan lives close to the suburb’s main shopping strip on Logan Road and says many businesses have struggled to stay open in recent years.
He believes increased development, while positive for the area, has the potential to drive out working families.
A digital render by Brisbane City Council of Stones Corner shows the significant renewal plan.
“Adding more apartments is potentially a good solution … I think there are pros and cons. I guess my concerns are that it would add to housing prices.”
But Morgan says the positives could outweigh the downsides.
“It’s pretty dead at night … I think it’ll probably add to the vibrancy of this strip and hopefully for the businesses here. That would be better.”
Most residents and business owners who spoke to Brisbane Times agreed the area needed a facelift.
Stones Corner’s Logan Road as it looks in 2024.Credit: William Davis
More trees, new shared outdoor spaces and public art would feature to make the area more attractive and pedestrian-friendly.
But some concerns were flagged.
Gentrification, which could rob Stones Corner of its character, was one, along with affordability, traffic flow and disruption during development.
The proposed planning changes would encompass parts of Cleveland Street, Logan Road, Gladys Street, Hanlon Park, the Stones Corner Library and the busway.
Under the plan, buildings up to 20 storeys will be allowed on some blocks, with retail or hospitality at ground level.
Karen and Michael Weibler, who run Books@Stones bookshop on Logan Road, are in full support of new development.
“We think it’s an absolutely great idea,” Karen said.
“We’re all for it. When we moved here 13 years ago we were ready.”
But Michael believes rapid construction could disrupt businesses in the short term, and he has raised concerns with Brisbane City Council about how traffic flow would be managed amid a huge influx of new residents.
Karen and Michael Weibler of Books@Stones would like to see renewal in the area. Credit: William Davis
“The only issue is Stones Corner has unique traffic conditions, so they need to sort that out,” he said.
“If they just put lots of apartments in and don’t do anything else, it’ll become a car park.”
Brother and sister duo Jo-Ann Waller and Tony Oliver have worked on the street for almost two decades, opening the Sacred Skin Tattoo studio in 2005.
“I think it’s a great plan,” Jo-Ann said.
“People don’t want to bring their kids or families down here.
“We have a high turnover of shops.
“I think beautification of the area is a brilliant idea.
“More park areas and chicanes. Making it prettier always attracts new people … I think it’s got huge potential.”
Jo-Ann Waller and Tony Oliver of Sacred Skin Tattoo: “If you don’t have customers, you don’t have a business.”Credit: William Davis
And concerns around traffic flow could be managed, they said.
“Who doesn’t want the government to spend a huge amount of money to make the area look more beautiful to customers?” Jo-Ann said.
“If you don’t have customers, you don’t have a business.”
Public consultation for the Stones Corner renewal plan will be open until November 19.
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