Fears ‘six pack’ makeovers will swallow our suburbs

A plan to transform an ’80s unit block could open the door to medium-rise towers in suburban streets across Brisbane, a councillor says.

A plan to knock down an old three-storey Highgate Hill unit block and replace it with a luxury medium-rise building could open the floodgates to similar projects across the city, a councillor fears.

The 5 Dudley St building currently has 14 low-cost units spread over two to three storeys.

But the sweeping river views have attracted the eye of a developer who wants to knock it down and build a four to five storey tower with just eight three-bed units.

Cr Jonathan Sri (The Gabba) said the proposal was higher than zoning allowed and, if approved, would spark similar development applications in quiet suburban streets across the city.

The existing, old-style units at 5 Dudley St.

He said that it was not commercially viable to demolish and re-build most of the “six pack’’ brick unit blocks built in the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s if developers had to stick to two-storey height limits.

But allowing five storeys at Dudley St would change the equation.

“The existing units aren’t in great condition, but they are cheaper than most newer units in the 4101 postcode,’’ Cr Sri said.

“If you were to comply strictly with the LMR2 zoning, it probably wouldn’t be financially profitable to redevelop this site at the moment.

“That’s a good thing. It means the existing lower-income residents can keep living there in the inner-city, where there are better employment and education opportunities, rather than moving to the outer suburbs where housing is slightly cheaper but transport costs and journey times tend to be much higher.’’

Artist's impression of how the proposed Dudley St units could look.

He said the proposed tower not only had fewer overall dwellings, they were large, high-end apartments which targeted wealthy downsizers.

“The new apartments will probably sell for at least $1 million, perhaps significantly more considering that they have river views and are located at the quiet end of West End,’’ he said.

“My concern is that if Council approves this application to ignore the building height limit, this will send a signal to other developers that every other site which is zoned LMR is no longer necessarily limited to two or three storeys.

“The result would be a renewed push to redevelop other older unit blocks throughout the inner-south side, particularly sites adjacent to parks, atop hills, and along the river, leading to another wave of gentrification and displacement.’’

An older-style brick unit block in Crowther St, West End. Cr Sri says such buildings could be converted into expensive five-storey projects if 5 Dudley St is approved.

But City Planning Chair, Cr Krista Adams, dismissed his claims.

“Councillor Sri loves pitting people against each other. It’s not surprising he has taken issue with this proposal,’’ she said.

“The Queensland Government’s Planning Act requires that Council be flexible with planning rules and this applies to the site at 5 Dudley Street in Highgate Hill.

“All applications are assessed and decided by Council’s independent planning officers.’’

More details of the Dudley St proposal can be found on Council’s online development application portal developmenti. Search for 5 Dudley Street.

Submissions can be made on the portal as well.