Grand old Brisbane house to be carved up for quick profit

THE sprawling grounds of a grand 1885 Brisbane building will be sold for a quick profit by an asset management group after it gained development approvals.

Rebecca Kenny is opposing plans to turn a heritage-listed property, Goldicott House into a 600-bed aged care home. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

AN asset management group has bought a half-stake in the heritage-listed Goldicott House site and plans to sell it for a large profit next year after gaining development approvals.

Healthley Asset Management Limited revealed in a crowd funding application to the market that it will buy a 50 per cent interest in Pikos Group’s stake in the circa 1885 property, and will work with Pikos to gain approval for 600 aged care beds on the huge Grove Cres, Toowong site.

Healthley would then sell “at an uplifted value’’ the aged care component with a lease agreement, or sell parts of the site as developable land, or even pursue others uses such as student accommodation, retirement living, childcare or residential developments.

But the revelation has only strengthened the resolve of residents to fight the plan, all the way to the Planning and Environment Court if necessary.

Resident Rebecca Kenny said the plan would not only create traffic chaos, it involved demolishing an historic out-building where Powderfinger’s Bernard Fanning had music lessons.

“They’re claiming it’s not part of the heritage listing, but we are arguing the heritage register needs updating,’’ Ms Kenny said.

Cr Julian Simmonds. Picture: AAP/John Gass

Cr Julian Simmonds (Walter Taylor) said he opposed the project “given the considerable site constraints including the state and local heritage listing and environmental impacts’’.

“I am incredibly disappointed that the State Government, despite listing it as a heritage site, has supported the application and failed to recognise my concerns, and the concerns of hundreds of residents,’’ he said.

“The previous Labor Member (Stephen Miles) gave his word to residents that the State Government would help protect the heritage of this place against such proposals but it has instead supported it. “But Council officers are continuing to assess the application, particularly the heritage impacts and concerns of the hundreds of residents who have made submissions and signed petitions.”