Which developments will make headlines in the year ahead

From courtroom drama to a city skyscraper’s limbo, these are the projects that’ll make news in the coming year ahead. SEE THE FULL LIST

DEVELOPMENT projects are set for a big 2020, with a number of major projects underway and others in limbo.

It follows an eventful 2019, with courtrooms hearing cases of disputing brothers and residents being left in permanent darkness.

Here’s our list of what developments will hit the headlines in 2020.

10. 57 Coronation Dr, Brisbane City

OPINIONS were split over the design of a new twin-tower proposal made in December last year, which would overshadow the last 19th Century residence in the CBD.

The towers will reach up to 35 storeys high and would see the 152-year-old ‘Bunya Flats’ preserved and refurbished.

The heritage listed building is currently home to a backpackers hotel, but under the proposal would be nestled in between the two soaring skyscrapers.

Since the project was revealed, developers have begun consultation with the public.

Renders of the proposed residential towers on Coronation Drive show the heritage listed home nestled at their base. Picture: PD Online.

9. Albion Exchange

THE transit-orientated-development in Brisbane’s inner north was approved by Brisbane City Council earlier this month.

In addition to units, the new proposal will boast 2,000 sqm of communal space and a new retail precinct right next to (and above) Albion railway station.

But there’s no concrete word on what retailers will be moving in.

Geon Property senior development manager Tim Rossberg told The Courier-Mail earlier this year that tenancies would be confirmed throughout the course of 2020.

8. 151 Sydney St, New Farm

LOCALS came out hard against a proposal to build six units on a 506 sqm site in inner Brisbane.

Now the project is heading for the courtroom, with the developers alleging Brisbane City Council failed to make up its mind whether to approve the project within the dedicated time frame.

Court documents filed in November show developers Urban Planners Queensland Pty Ltd entered into mediation with Brisbane City Council and a neighbouring body corporate in November.

7. Howard Smith Wharves

THIS precinct has become one of Brisbane’s most popular spots, despite being open just over a year.

Chief executive Luke Fraser says up to 10,000 people flock to Howard Smith Wharves on a single weekend.

Despite the last remaining restaurants opening in 2019, Mr Fraser made no secret there’s still more to come.

These include market stalls and new works to better realise Howard Smith Wharves’ vision of becoming “the front door to the Brisbane River and Moreton Bay.”

This is all in addition to the construction of a new ferry stop, which will start construction this year.

Luke Fraser, HSW chief executive, says the precinct still has big plans for 2020. Picture: Annette Dew

6. Brisbane Live

BY the end of this year, we’ll hopefully have a better idea of where a 17,000-seat entertainment arena will go.

Brisbane Live is expected to be complete by 2024, and could form part of Queensland’s efforts to bid for the 2032 Olympic Games.

The Courier-Mail revealed in December that two consortiums were vying for the rights to build the arena, with a final decision due by the end of this year.

But there’s still some uncertainty as to whether Brisbane Live will be built, with Roma Street railway station among seven different sites being investigated.

5. Cross River Rail tunnelling to begin

THOUSANDS of new jobs are expected to be created by the end of this year, as large sections of the $5 billion project start construction.

Tunnelling will begin on Brisbane’s southside, as will construction of the new Exhibition Station in Bowen Hills.

Upgrades are also slated for six stations between Fairfield and Salisbury, as well as construction of new stations on the Gold Coast line.

Demolition of the much-hated Transit Centre will also continue.

Roma Street, which will be rejuvenated as part of Cross River Rail, is one of the likely locations for the much anticipated Brisbane Live. Picture: Brisbane Live.

4. Queen’s Wharf

TEN cranes and hundreds of workers are now ready to turn this $3.6 billion project into a reality.

Areas of Queen’s Wharf are already open, and a builder has been appointed to construct a new pedestrian bridge between the ‘integrated resort’ and South Bank.

By the end of this year, it’s anticipated this transformative project will look very different.

3. Park Ave, East Brisbane

NEIGHBOURS are gearing up to hold rallies against a proposed 26-unit development on Park Ave, East Brisbane.

Their concerns come from the building covering over 55 per cent of the site’s area, well over the 40 per cent limit to be imposed late February under a new neighbourhood plan.

But developer Arden Property claims the new regulations shouldn’t count, as they will “not come into effect before the application is due to be decided.”

Council is yet to make a decision.

2. Ascot’s ‘landslide’ units

THE FATE of 28 units in Ascot now rests in the courtroom.

A neighbouring unit block’s body corporate filed an appeal against Brisbane City Council’s decision to approve the proposed development on Lapraik St, fearing its construction would heighten the risk of landslides.

The grounds, the appellant said, was fears the proposed units on Lapraik St would heighten the risk of a landslide in the exclusive inner-city suburb.

This is despite a slope instability assessment report prepared for the development application finding the development ‘acceptable.’

1. Albert St’s train and tunnel conundrum

AS REPORTED late last year, a tower which could become one of Brisbane’s tallest is currently in limbo.

The issue arises from its basement, which apparently comes too close to Cross River Rail’s route under Albert St.

The developers last year hit out, revealing in planning documents that they had received “no substantial” correspondence from the $5 billion project’s delivery authority.

The 91-storey tower at 30 Albert St would reach 274 metres high, almost the maximum height allowed by air authorities on buildings in Brisbane's CBD. Picture: PD Online.