Backlash at latest inner-south unit project
They are one of Brisbane’s biggest and most respected developers. but a councillor claims this latest unit project is a bad fit with Cross River Rail.
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Stockwell Development Group’s latest residential project, an 82-unit medium-rise building in Dutton Park, is in the “wrong place’’ according to the local councillor.
The project’s 132 car spaces will funnel even more traffic on to a street earmarked for pedestrians and cyclists as part of a Cross River Rail upgrade, Cr Jonathan Sri says.
He and two neighbours were also alarmed at the loss of every major native tree on the 162 Annerley Rd site.
But Stockwell submitted expert reports which said there would be fewer cars than was permitted under its approval and some of the 10 trees were unstable, not threatened or did not have tree hollows used by native animals.
Cr Sri urged residents to make their voices heard, even though the project is code assessable — meaning the public has no right to challenge it in the courts, or even be told what is going to happen.
Designed by Mode Design, the proposal includes two residential towers with a maximum height of five storeys.
It fronts Annerley Rd and also Peter Doherty St, which Cr Sri said was mooted as an active travel corridor because of a new pedestrian/bike bridge over the nearby railway line when Cross River Rail was finished.
“It’s a crucial site from a strategic perspective because of its close proximity to Boggo Rd Gaol and Cross River Rail station, Dutton Park State School, the new Dutton Park high school and the proposed footbridge over the rail line to the PA (Princess Alexandra) Hospital,’’ Cr Sri said.
“I will be objecting to this development, but it is likely to be approved, as is, unless dozens of residents also submit comments.
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“I have a range of specific concerns about the design of this proposal, including the insufficient amount of green space within the site, the removal of existing trees, the fact that it doesn’t meaningfully activate or engage with the streetscape, and most significantly, the proposed inclusion of 132 carparking spaces in a precinct where congestion is already an issue, and where we want to be encouraging people to use public and active transport.
“In the future, lots of school students and uni students are likely to be moving through this precinct and higher volumes of active travellers will be using Peter Doherty St to connect to the UQ green bridge, Boggo Rd train station and the PA hospital precinct.
“So it’s important that, as much as possible, we minimise the number of cars travelling in and out of Peter Doherty St and Boggo Rd and push for development which is more focused towards public and active transport.’’
One resident, who was not named, said in a submission that the area needed shops and community and green spaces, not more apartments.
“Increasing the density of occupancy around this site would also increase traffic, which is already congested and noisy,’’ they wrote.
Residents in nearby Rawnsley St said in a submission that there was insufficient green space within the site and the removal of the existing trees made that even worse.
“We also feel that the look and feel of the design is not honouring the history of this site and its proximity to Boggo Road, which is heritage listed,’’ they said.
But a traffic report prepared for Stockwell concluded the 132 car spaces was “considered an ideal compromise given the accessibility to public transport’’.
“Visitors would only have longer access to parking in the vicinity of the site during the evening and on weekends, when parking demand in the area is generally lower,’’ the report said.
Planners RPS Group said the project had been split into two buildings to reduce its bulk and protruding balconies, recesses and large windows would also reduce bulk.
Details can be found on Council’s online development application portal, pdonline. Search for application number A005533491