BCC, Shawcor Australia at odds over ‘warehouse’ use of Pinkenba industrial land
Does a warehouse need to be a building? Not according to Brisbane City Council, which has served a notice to the owner of a plot of land in the city’s east.
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An almighty six-month barney over a “warehouse” in Pinkenba is now the subject of potential court showdown.
Brisbane City Council earlier this month slapped two enforcement notices over a parcel of land on 14 Mundin St, alleging it was illegally used as a warehouse.
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Council also alleged that operational works had been carried out to “raise the level of the land”.
The notice would compel owner Shawcor Australia to cease using the land for storage.
Council first began investigating the use of the land following an inspection in May this year.
The Courier-Mail visited the site yesterday, finding it used to store coils of PVC piping and scrap metal.
Images from Google Street View show the land in 2015 was grassy and didn’t at the time have fencing or a driveway installed.
While no buildings have been erected at the site, council argues that storing or distributing goods, whether or not carried out in a building, constitutes a warehouse.
In an escalation of the disagreement, Shawcor Australia has lodged a court appeal alleging it can use the space as a warehouse.
“The Use of Premises is unlawful because a Warehouse use in the Industrial Zone is accepted development for which no use is required,” the court documents said.
“The Warehouse use, namely the storage of pipe coils, equipment, shipping containers involves an existing premises with no increase in gross floor area where all acceptable outcomes of the Industry code are complied with.”
“The Respondent (Brisbane City Council) has made errors of fact and law.”
A council spokesman said the matter was currently before the courts after the enforcement notices were given on November 3.
“It is believed the site is being used for warehouse purposes without approvals,” the spokesman said.