Greens Councillor Jonathan Sri leads Kangaroo Point protest
A GROUP of affluent inner-city residents have turned out to protest against a proposed high-rise development overlooking a heritage-listed building in an area that has become a lightning rod for debate about balancing history with greater density.
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BRISBANE Greens councillor Jonathan Sri has led a group of affluent inner-city residents in a protest against a proposed high-rise development in Kangaroo Point.
The development plans to build a 16-storey tower overlooking a heritage-listed building in an area that has become a lightning rod for debate about balancing history with greater density.
The Thornton St site, which has a current height limit of 10 storeys, is home to the former federation-style water police residence that was built in 1901. It will be relocated to the western boundary of the site.
“Residents are intensely frustrated because a lot of them have put in detailed submissions raising concerns about previous developments but it never actually led to anything,” Cr Sri told The Courier-Mail today.
“Residents will be watching the council very, very closely to see if this development gets approved. If it does, that will simply reinforce people’s views that council cares more about developers than ordinary residents.”
Cr Sri said the proposal was part of a “whole wave of projects sweeping through Kangaroo Point” as council sought to increase building heights in the area as part of a renewal strategy.
“When you add up all the projects proposed for Kangaroo Point over the next few years, there’s a huge increase in density,” Cr Sri said.
“Kangaroo Point residents are not normally the type of people who go out protesting. The fact they’re so frustrated about development they’re now organising protests shows how little faith people have in the system.
“These aren’t radicals or rebels. These are just ordinary residents who are pissed off.”
Cr Sri, who lives on a boat in an estuary off the Brisbane River, has previously had some success protesting against the $800 million West Village development, which was called in by the State Government only to be approved with taller towers in exchange for more green space.
Local resident Katharine Baynham said a bit more density made sense close to the inner city but developers needed to “follow the same rules that apply to other residents”.
Council planning boss Julian Simmonds said local parks and improved public access to the river were being investigated as part of the draft Kangaroo Point peninsula renewal strategy.
“This renewal strategy outlines the long-term vision for the area and council wants to ensure the river areas of the peninsula are more accessible for recreational use and to upgrade the many local parks in the area,” Cr Simmonds said.
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