Update: Future to be decided on KFC Goodna development at historical property

A cornerstone of Australian cinematic history may soon be uprooted to make way for 24-hour access to fried chicken. Here’s why Ipswich City Council may approve the development.

An Ipswich City Council report has recommended councillors approve a KFC to be built at a heritage listed property which has a claim to cinematic fame and deep community roots.

In July, Brisbane based developer Parmac Property Group, submitted its development application for the century-old property at 16 Queen Street, Goodna.

If the fast food chain development is successful, the character home will be uprooted from its place in history.
Legislation states it will have to be relocated within a character area in Ipswich’s local government area — the town of Rosewood has been suggested.

A new KFC has been proposed for a Goodna site that is currently home to a century-old heritage property.

A council report stated, Parmac Property Group’s application for a material change of use was assessed and it “generally complied” with appropriate benchmarks and legislation.

The document recommended, “that council resolve to approve development application … subject to conditions”.

The document states the community did not need to be notified of the development by the developer, however the council received a number of submissions nonetheless.

“The submissions primarily related to the [home] on the site, the need for an additional KFC in the vicinity, and concerns about traffic impacts,” the report stated.

According to CoreLogic data and council documents, the property is currently owned by a couple who rented the property out for $300 a week from 2016-2018.

16 Queen Street, Goodna. Picture: CoreLogic

The historic home was built in early 1900, and soon became the home of well-respected community leaders Mary and John Carroll, who opened and operated a school at Redbank Plains.

The Carrolls raised nine children in the home, including Edward Carroll who later helped create the cinema company Birch, Carroll and Coyle.

Before then, Edward and his brother Daniel were cornerstones of Ipswich’s cinematic culture, history and pioneers of revolutionary technology.

Edward opened Biograph Pictures in Ipswich, playing music and movies every Tuesday night, and later the Olympia Theatre in Limestone Street.

Soon after joining forces with the Coyles, the brothers designed and commissioned the Wintergarden Theatre in East Street, and opened a number theatres across Queensland.

The Wintergarden Theatre was demolished and rebuilt in 1979.

Crowds outside the Wintergarden Theatre in 1979 waiting to see a free screening of ‘Blue Fin’, starring Hardy Kruger and Greg Rowe. Picture: Picture Ipswich qips-2010-03-05-0003 (Ipswich Libraries)

For more on the development plans click here.