List: Qld’s shopping precincts struggling to stay open and relevant
They were once some of Queensland’s most bustling shopping precincts, but sadly they struggled to keep up with a changing world. OUR LOST SHOPS
QLD News
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Once bustling hubs of community life, some of Queensland’s shopping centres have struggled to keep up with changing retail trends, competition, and shifting population growth.
Across the state, formerly thriving precincts now face dwindling foot traffic, vacant shopfronts, and uncertain futures.
Here’s a look at some of Queensland’s forgotten shopping centres — the places that time, and shoppers, have left behind >>>
Toombul Shopping Centre, Brisbane
What happened: Severely damaged in the 2022 floods and subsequently closed permanently. Once a thriving centre, it’s now a space awaiting redevelopment.
Status: Abandoned, with future plans for a mixed-use precinct.
Ipswich City Mall, Ipswich
What happened: Once the heart of Ipswich, the mall struggled with declining foot traffic, empty shopfronts and safety concerns. Revitalisation efforts have been ongoing for over a decade.
Status: Slowly undergoing redevelopment, but parts remain neglected.
Redbank Plaza, Redbank
What happened: Once a major western Brisbane shopping hub, now faces significant store closures and empty spaces, losing out to larger centres like Springfield.
Status: Still operating but diminished.
Australia Fair West, Southport
What happened: The west wing of Australia Fair Shopping Centre has become largely empty with numerous vacant shops, a shadow of its bustling former self.
Status: Struggling, despite some ongoing upgrades to other parts of the centre.
■ History of Australia Fair shopping centre
The Oasis, Broadbeach
What happened: Once a premium shopping spot, now struggling with empty tenancies and dated infrastructure as newer precincts like Pacific Fair and The Star draw traffic away.
Status: Still trading but increasingly overlooked.
Big Top Shopping Centre, Maroochydore
What happened: Revamped into a “fresh” food market concept in the mid-2010s but has since suffered from high vacancy rates and competition from Sunshine Plaza.
Status: Trading at a reduced capacity, with the farmers market concept struggling.
■ Christopher Skase’s Big Top sail has its day in sun
Stockland Rockhampton (Northside Plaza area)
What happened: While the main Stockland is still a key centre, surrounding precincts like Northside Plaza have seen closures and a steady decline in activity.
Status: Surrounding centres struggling despite nearby activity.
Cairns Central (partial)
What happened: While Cairns Central is still operating, smaller surrounding shopping strips and arcades have seen multiple closures and a downturn in business.
Status: Peripheral precincts are struggling.
■ Meet the unknown titan behind your favourite shopping centres
Wynnum Plaza, Brisbane
What happened: Once the main retail hub for Brisbane’s bayside, Wynnum Plaza has struggled in recent years to keep pace with larger, more modern precincts like Westfield Carindale and the evolving Wynnum Central area. The plaza has seen declining foot traffic, several store closures, and increasing competition from surrounding shopping and dining strips.
Status: Still trading but with noticeable vacancies and a dated feel. Long overdue for an upgrade to remain competitive.
HomeCo. Lutwyche
What happened: Spent years in decline with high vacancy rates and a dated layout, as other northside centres like Chermside and Stafford drew shoppers away. After significant underuse, it was eventually purchased for redevelopment.
Status: Has undergone major redevelopment with Woolworths, Coles, and specialty stores being refreshed to revitalise the precinct.
■ Complete history of Myer Shopping Centre
Myer Centre, Brisbane CBD
What happened: Once the flagship CBD shopping destination, the centre was hit hard by declining foot traffic, online shopping, and the departure of Myer in 2023 after nearly four decades. The loss of the major anchor tenant left large parts of the centre vacant.
Status: Struggling to reposition itself in the market with plans to attract new tenants and possibly reconfigure the site, but currently lacks a clear identity and has a noticeable drop in shoppers.
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