Latest unit tower plan sparks fears West End is at breaking point

More than 100 objections have been submitted against a 16-level luxury highrise complex opposite a primary school bursting at the seams at West End, with residents saying enough is enough.

Renders of the proposed Stockwell tower, the old canning factory and how the site looks today.

West End residents say their suburb is under siege from a flood of highrise unit plans with the latest, opposite a primary school bursting at the seams, sparking 100 objections.

Two-thirds of the submissions on Stockwell Development Group’s proposed 16-level luxury tower on Vulture St have been fired off in the past fortnight alone after public notification began.

Neighbours said the street was already jammed at school drop-off and pickup times.

They feared the tower, twice the allowed local height, would worsen overcrowding at West End State School and Brisbane State High School.

“The council’s relentless support for numerous highrise residential developments — 12 in the last 12 months — will cause catastrophic results for these two schools,’’ one submission said. “The council should be considering purchasing this land to support public schooling, not make it worse.’’

Artist's impression of the rooftop.

How the project would look from street level.

Stockwell has invested almost $600m in West End and built 700 units to date.

Town planners RPS said the new project at 33 Vulture St would add much-needed housing.

It also would offset potential housing lost when a site at 36-38 Vulture St, approved for 15 levels, was bought by the government to expand the primary school.

“Stockwell has a strong track record of delivering quality residential development of the

highest standard in West End and South Brisbane,’’ the development application (DA) said.

A 1909 view of James Cole's can factory. Picture: Jubilee History of Queensland, UQ eSpace

“Consistent with their reputation for provision of high-quality, owner-occupier apartment living, Stockwell propose a mixed-use development appropriate to this site and its context.

“The proposal on the subject site is consistent with the height contemplated for these land holdings and will aid in recouping some of the residential accommodation lost by the development of the landholding opposite for other purposes.’’

Council has asked that the height be reduced, but Stockwell said it allowed more setback from character houses, some dating to the 1800s.

“There is also no viable way of reducing height without reducing the quantum of critical housing supply,’’ it said.

Stockwell paid $19m last year for the 3321 sqm site, currently used by gym Club Lime.

It was occupied by the Queensland Can Factory, founded by James Cole in 1896, until the factory closed in 1965 and moved operations to Rocklea.

If approved, the tower would be topped by a luxurious communal rooftop with lap pool, sauna, gym, BBQ area and garden.

Stockwell would retain two landmark facades fronting Turin and Paris Streets, using them to disguise the 199 car spaces.

The Vulture St wall has previously been removed, with a fourth wall to be demolished and replaced with a space for public art.

Residents were so concerned at the demolition they have launched a council petition.

“The rear wall is just as significant as the other two, if not more significant because of its peaked roof line and glass brick windows,’’ petitioner Linda Pinches said.

“It clearly demonstrates the form of the factory that was important in the industrial innovation of canning food and motor oil.’’

Aerial view of the site, including West End State School at the top of the image.

The Mode architects design included two-to-four-bedroom units above a three-floor podium with 600 sqm of street-front retail, coffee shops and other businesses.

It featured recesses, balconies and a striking rooftop that would “contribute to an interesting city skyline’’.

After pushback from council, Stockwell promised “substantial streetscape planting’’ on the large Vulture St verge.

A traffic report said access would be via Turin and Paris streets, with the existing Vulture St access to become pedestrian-only.

An extra 45 cars per hour would access the site in peak periods, which the report claimed was “not expected to have any adverse impacts on the surrounding road network’’.

More details are on council’s online DA portal developmenti. Search for 33 Vulture St or application A006760664