‘Gold mine’: developers drooling over southside highrise plan

Council has been accused of trying to sneak through massive changes which will allow highrise in two southside suburbs.

Developers were “openly drooling’’ at the prospect for huge profits under a proposed new neighbourhood plan for Salisbury, Nathan and Moorooka, the local councillor says.

Council quietly launched the plan last week.

Cr Steve Griffiths accused the administration of trying to sneak through the massive changes just before Council went on recess and said only three public consultation meetings were planned — two on Budget day this Wednesday.

He was not even invited to the low-key launch last Friday until he found out about it and demanded to go, he claimed.

But Deputy Mayor and City Planning chair, Krista Adams, said his comments were utterly baseless.

The plan has set the three southside suburbs buzzing, particularly provisions for three-storey units and townhouses in some lovely pre-1946 character streets.

A grand heritage house on Lyon St, Moorooka.

Queenslanders with largely intact yards in Helles, Durak, Lyon, Keats, Chaucer and Gainsborough streets could now have medium density projects built next to them, Cr Griffiths said.

The famous Moorooka Magic Mile, once Brisbane’s home of new and used cars, could see development up to four storeys.

The strip has been declining for years due to changes in car sales, driven by the internet.

Five storeys would be allowed near Salisbury Railway Station and eight storeys near Moorooka Railway Station — which will become a Cross River Rail “portal’’ — overlooking the Clapham Yards marshalling area.

Council also announced recently that highrise, including residential highrise, could be allowed in industrial areas across Brisbane.

This would have a huge impact on Salisbury, a traditionally lowrise light industrial suburb which has started to gentrify in recent years.

David Kitcher (left) and Lachy Crothers from Salisbury brewery Ballistic, one of the trendy new arrivals in the suburb.

“These comments from Cr Griffiths are completely contradictory to the conversation I had with him on Friday morning, where he indicated he was a comfortable with the plan and was looking forward to the community’s feedback,’’ Cr Adams said.

“It was actually his suggestion to consider character infill, which allows units to be built in the backyard of a character house, behind Ipswich Rd.

“There was no belated invite for Cr Griffiths to attend the event on June 11, which was a business breakfast briefing for local business owners and operators.

“He was invited at the same time as 655 businesses from Nathan, Salisbury and Moorooka.’’

But Cr Griffiths said the timing was “planned to the nth degree’’

“Council only invited select people to the launch last Friday by (deputy mayor) Krista Adams,’’ Cr Griffiths said.

“I didn’t even know about it until the last minute.

“There were developers there talking about this new plan being a gold mine.

“The public consultation is a disgrace — two sessions on Budget day and just one more on Saturday.

“Consultation closes on July 12, but Council goes into recess for four weeks straight after the Budget.’’

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said that as more people moved to Nathan, Salisbury, Moorooka, Council wanted to ensure those suburbs had the services and infrastructure they needed for future generations.

Councillor for Moorooka Steve Griffiths says community debate over the 2019 plan was “gagged’’ and the same thing is happening with the latest plan. Picture: Regi Varghese

“The area is strategically well-placed between two major arterial roads and high-frequency public transport, close to world-class education and hospital facilities, and surrounded by bushland beauty, making it an attractive choice for residents and businesses alike,’’ he said.

“These suburbs have a long and rich industrial history, forming a key part of the South West Industrial Gateway, as well as vibrant knowledge and technology precincts attracting new skilled workers and emerging industries to the area.

“Feedback on the draft plan will help guide the future of these precincts as they evolve over time, while carefully managing growth and protecting the much-loved neighbourhood charm of the suburbs.’’

Cr Adams said it was untrue the plan had been sprung on the community, with initial community engagement as far back as 2019.

“The initial engagement from 2019 helped inform the current draft plan which is open for consultation for five weeks until July 12, which is the standard process for community consultation,’’ she said.

“Following this, all community feedback will be used to craft the final draft plan which will also be open for community consultation.

“The proposals in the draft strategy are provided to generate discussion and feedback as to how the needs of the existing and future community of the Nathan, Salisbury, Moorooka area could be met.

“I encourage everyone to have their say on the neighbourhood plan and help shape the future of their suburbs.’’

Cr Griffiths said despite the opportunity for massive amounts of new medium and high density development, there were no new parks, no library, no upgrade of the neglected Moorooka Bowls club or other sporting facilities.

“This is a lot of change. There’s a lot of density and we know that when this Council says three storeys, they often mean five, and when they say eight they wave through higher,’’ he said.

“They’ve picked on some of these character streets because they are wide and can handle on-street parking.’’

The changes have sparked a flood of comment on local Facebook groups.

Most people echoed Cr Griffiths’ concerns, but some were excited.

“If we do not increase housing supply and density, with decent liveable apartments, then the housing affordability issue with continue and urban sprawl is going to impact on how your taxes are spent,’’ Deniz Ipek posted.

“All those living in the houses they bought for half the price 10 years ago need to understand that this urban form is not sustainable.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner says the plan will ensure the suburbs have the infrastructure they need to cope with a growing population. Picture: Tara Croser

“We cannot all have 400 to 600 sqm blocks and still provide parklands that hardly anyone uses because everyone is in their own backyards.

“If everyone wanting to buy a house in Flagstone, Yarrabilba or some other satellite suburb, then your taxes are going to pay for infrastructure to be provided to those distant suburbs instead of in your suburbs.’’

However resident Lisa Wicks said she did not want to see what had happened at Mt Gravatt replicated in her area.

“The multi levels started around 10 years ago and the impact on liveability ... congested streets is really apparent,’’ she posted.

“Take the eight storey highrises out another 5km from the city centre.

“We don’t want to lose our urban character housing and the existing roads will not cope with the increased population density.’’

HAVE YOUR SAY

1. You can speak to a planner about the draft strategy on Wednesday, June 16, from 2-4pm and 5-7pm, Salisbury Community Sport Club, 37 Ainsworth St, and on Saturday June 19, from 9am-midday, Moorooka Community Centre, 40 Gainsborough St.

2. Email: neighbourhood—[e-mail]

3. Call the Neighbourhood Planning Team on 3403 8888

4. Complete the online form at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au (search for ‘Nathan, Salisbury, Moorooka Neighbourhood Plan’)

5. Write to Neighbourhood Planning (Nathan, Salisbury, Moorooka Neighbourhood Plan)

Brisbane City Council, GPO Box 1434, Brisbane QLD 4001

WHAT LOCALS HAVE BEEN SAYING ON FACEBOOK

Gordon King: There are no shortage of examples of poorly designed high density dwellings in Upper Mt Gravatt/MacGregor (transport hub). Suburban streets have become one lane owing to the increased demand for on street parking, and traffic jams are created at times in these same streets. I think the idea of building mid/high density housing near transport corridors is a good one. In principle, people can walk from their unit to the train or bus, But this is not what is happening.

Gam Sarah: No-one trusts council to do the right thing here. If we say we are okay with higher density, council will take that and run with it, and then screw us all over when it comes to green space and liveability. They have an absolutely awful track record. Units etc can be done well, but how many GOOD higher density living developments can people name here in Brisbane?

Lotte Hougaard: I have no issue with higher density, but I don’t trust the current sitting council to do anything thoughtfully - especially when their developer mates are involved.

Steve Dee: If done with consideration I think it is great and necessary. However, I feel for a lot of people that have bought in Salisbury, if they suddenly have three storey neighbours beside the home they have worked hard to save up and buy.

Nicola Fooks: I understand the need for more housing and OK with high density if it’s done right. But that rarely happens.