Approval of development near historic Brisbane site slammed
THE National Trust has called the Brisbane City Council’s consultation process tokenism after a 15-storey apartment block was approved to be partially built over a historic house, despite it not complying with guidelines.
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THE National Trust has called the Brisbane City Council’s consultation process tokenism and wants more sympathetic policies for heritage-listed buildings after a 15-storey apartment block was approved to be partially built over a historic house.
The Council confirmed it had green-lit a project at 11 Thornton St, Kangaroo Point, despite the block being 70sq m smaller than required under its own guidelines and dozens of objections by local residents, businesses and the National Trust, as well as a petition with more than 500 signatures.
It’s claimed the project also breaks setback rules and includes the partial demolition at the rear of the 1901 Water Police Residence which itself will be shunted 12m closer to the water.
National Trust Heritage’s Advocacy Advisor Jane Alexander said their objection to 11 Thornton St was but one they had submitted in recent times.
“Brisbane City Council needs to look at the way they are dealing with heritage and dealing with the community,” Ms Alexander said.
“The community is getting really annoyed with token consultation … at having planning provisions set in place to protect this part of the city and then completely having it ignored … it’s going to take some legislation and policy change.”
The development company proposed an 18-storey, originally 19-storey, highrise apartment block at Thornton St despite the Council’s planning code being for a maximum of 15 storeys.
There is a specific limit of 10 storeys under the Kangaroo Point Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan (KPPNP) however, according to the Council, heights of buildings are not subject to community consultation but allow for “commonsense changes.”
City Planning Chairman Julian Simmonds said the 15-level building was approved with several conditions to ensure the development was consistent with City Plan, including the reduction of the building height.
He said the Council was in the process of updating the 30-year-old neighbourhood plan for the Kangaroo Point area, in response to the evolution of the local area and following requests from the public.
“Under the draft plan for Kangaroo Point, this Thornton site can accommodate buildings of up to 15 storeys ... with changes to this possible subject to a detailed assessment and further consultation with the community,” he said,
Cr Simmonds said the idea that heritage homes cannot be located in proximity to highrise is not supported in either City Plan or in State planning laws.
The latest approval is the second that the Council has allowed near a heritage-listed building following a 15-storey development in Scott St which reaches out above Scott St Flats which were built in 1925.
Ms Alexander said the development above the Scott St Flats and the Water Police Residence diluted their historical value and significance.
“Having another building hanging over the top of it, overshadowing and ruining its sense of space is certainly going to have an adverse effect,” she said.
Situated on the eastern boundary of the proposed Thornton St development was Robin Spencer Architects, which incorporated the Water Police ‘Lock-Up’ at the front of its four-level structure on Main St.
Mr Spencer said the development was farcical and he opposed the demolition of a detached building (kitchen) at the rear of the heritage-listed house.
“The site coverage (97 per cent) is the most I have ever seen. It’s an absolute laugh,” Mr Spencer said.
“They are taking no notice of it (KPPNP) whatsoever. It’s all by negotiation between the developer and the council.
“We thought because the house and our jail was heritage-listed, we assumed incorrectly the building (kitchen) was recognised but it’s not. It should not be demolished.”
He said the setbacks should have been scaled back to three metres on east, south and west sides of the building which would be consistent with the development at 2 Scott St.
Local resident Gary Freshwater helped lead the charge against the development which included organising two petitions.
Last year Cr Simmonds said a developer had to cut back on two proposed 20-storey towers at Cairns St because the limit was 15 storeys.
Cr Simmonds was quoted by Fairfax as saying the approval had been in accordance with the city planning zone and one tower had been reduced to 17 storeys and the other to 13 storeys.
“Under city plan, the site is zoned for high density residential uses and can accommodate two buildings of 15 storeys,” he said.
“The final approval is consistent with this, a total of 30 storeys was approved for the site.”
Ms Alexander said Brisbane City Council had a respected heritage advisory committee and they should be consulting it.
“They have their own heritage advisory committee and they should be using it more than just a token advisory role,” she said.
“Heritage is seen as a hindrance to development and not something that can enhance the development.
“We are not opposed to development but we do not want to look back in 15 years and ask ‘how did they get away with that?’”.
KEY:
1: Scott St Flats (aka Scott House), built in 1925: The building has a special association with the work of Elina Mottram, the first woman to open her own architectural practice in Brisbane and Queensland's longest practising female architect (Queensland Heritage Register).
2: Water Police Residence, built in 1901: As a purpose-built residence used by the Queensland Water Police for more than 80 years (Brisbane City Council heritage register).
3: Water Police Lock-Up: Protected within the property at 301 Main St, Kangaroo Point
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