Bottleneck: survey slams traffic impact of $450m project
It is being billed as the project that will transform this inner-west suburb. But residents fears this $450 million development will clog the area.
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An overwhelming majority of residents are worried the $450 million Toowong Town Centre commercial/residential/cinema project will clog the area with cars, a new survey shows.
About 70 per cent of the 581 people who responded to the survey, organised by local state MP Michael Berkman, said they were worried it would worsen traffic snarls.
They also wanted better pedestrian and bicycle connections around the project, on the old Woolies site at the corner of High St and Sherwood Rd.
The area is thronged with students from the University of Queensland, commuters using Toowong train station and motorists transiting through on the way to or from the CBD.
Mr Berkman said a clear majority — 239 people — thought there needed to be better public consultation.
The project is code assessable, meaning the developers do not have to let the public know what is going on. Opponents also have no right to appeal the project in the courts.
Project to feature plaza and office/retail/residential buildings
Residents to have no say in mega-development
“It’s clear from this survey that densification and growth are making traffic worse on the westside and if we don’t invest now in better public and active transport infrastructure, more highrises and a new school will turn areas like this into a permanent car park,’’ Mr Berkman said.
“I’m calling for safe, separated bike lanes, a fully shaded pedestrian and bikeway and an accelerated timeline on the Toowong to West End green bridge, plus more frequent buses and free public transport for kids to bust congestion.
“I also used (his submission on the Toowong Town Centre development application) to reiterate my push to turn the old ABC site into public parkland, after a majority of residents said they support that move and want to see more green space to support new residences.”
KEY SURVEY FINDINGS
– 70 per cent say traffic flows in Toowong aren’t working effectively
– 70 per cent believe high-rise developments like the Woolworths site proposal should be subject to community input, not just code assessment
– 55 per cent aren’t happy with the pace of highrise development in Toowong
The State Development Corporation and White & Partners Sydney will co-develop the project, which will have an open air plaza that includes a water feature that converts to a stage area.
The plaza will be used for outdoor dining and food festivals, small concerts, community and special events.
The proponents said the plaza also allowed continued easy access to the train station, bus stops and Toowong Village.
State Development Corporation managing director Ross McKinnon said it would invigorate the precinct, with potential for as 24/7 lifestyle where people could live, work and play.
“Inspiration for the design has come from one of the greatest outdoor shopping centres in the world, The Grove Shopping Centre in Los Angeles, which incorporates the best characteristics of a high street in the one development,” he said.
“Brisbane has a similar climate to Los Angeles and we believe the open street theme along with the open-air plaza is the perfect combination to enhance the existing Toowong area.
“Now more than ever, Toowong needs a heart — a civic plaza to give the suburb a focal point the neighbourhood and community can identify with.
“We see the plaza as being an ever-changing meeting area — an iconic location that changes from day to night, week to week, and season to season.”
Mr Berkman said that as residents would not get the right to have a say, he organised his own consultation.
“I’m standing firm in my campaign for an overhaul of the Planning Act, including scrapping code assessment for major developments, because it just doesn’t seem fair that residents aren’t notified or consulted on a development of this size,’’ he said.