Highrise in exclusive street just keeps on getting higher

AN Opposition councillor will try to force debate on a development saga tearing apart an upmarket riverfront St Lucia street.

Irma Muller near the 160 Macquarie St, St Lucia, highrise site. AAP/Richard Walker

AN Opposition councillor will try to force debate on a development saga tearing apart an upmarket riverfront St Lucia street.

Shadow Planning chairman, Cr Jared Cassidy, said he would bring a motion in the City Planning Committee in coming weeks to debate the latest version of the 160 Macquarie St project.

For six years, residents have fought to stop a series of development applications, starting with a 22-unit, 11-storey unit block. The latest has 73 units over 16 stories, and six underground parking levels.

Macquarie St unit owner Irma Muller said the house on the 1245sq m site, bordered by Smyth Creek and the Brisbane River, flooded in 2011 but the carpark was lower than the riverbed.

She said locals had spent a huge amount of money taking the matter to arbitration, but because it now fell under the current City Plan, their rights to appeal in the Planning & Environment Court or to object were very limited.

“There is a huge fig tree which could be at risk and the site is next to the recently upgraded bike path,’’ Cr Cassidy said. “Residents have asked Cr Julian Simmonds (Indooroopilly) to engage with them but he doesn’t seem interested.’’

Greens MP for Maiwar, Michael Berkman, said the situation showed “just how broken the planning system has become’’.

“Only six years ago, a much smaller proposal was impact assessable and the community could have their objections heard. Now, they are shut out of the process for a much bigger proposal,’’ Mr Berkman said.

A Council spokeswoman said there was no change to the previously approved height, bulk or setbacks.

“Under State Government planning law, Council is required to provide a full assessment of the application against City Plan,’’ he said.