Hopes for public, 10km-long Brisbane Riverwalk
Council says a second Brisbane ‘riverwalk’ could still go ahead despite approving a three-tower unit project described as “the missing link’’ in the 10km promenade.
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COUNCIL has approved a controversial three-tower unit project at Kangaroo Point, but says a 10km promenade which would cross part of the site could still go ahead.
The 94-108 Lambert St site has been described as the “missing link’’ of riverfront land needed to create an unbroken walkway from Dockside to Mowbray Park.
The public was given no say in the project and cannot appeal it under planning laws.
Cr Jonathan Sri (The Gabba) said it was deeply disappointing and said the Council should have made the developer complete the promenade.
“They should be requiring the developer to complete their stretch of riverwalk as part of the development,’’ he said.
“Once the towers are built, it will be much more difficult and expensive to get down to that riverfront area to construct the short missing link.
“It’s also worth pointing out that the area of land which council would be resuming for the riverwalk is also being counted within the development site footprint as contributing to the required open space that the developer has to provide.’’
Council said the riverfront portion of the land had been protected as part of the development conditions.
“The approval at 108 Lambert Street conditioned that the development not build on the land required to build the riverwalk,’’ City Planning Chairwoman Krista Adams said.
“This condition has protected this land for a future riverwalk.’’
Council also said pre-1911 buildings on the site would not be removed.
Cr Sri said he objected to the application for a range of reasons, including that the proposed buildings are too close together and too bulky.
“The large amount of off-street carparking will generate excessive traffic impacts, there is not enough public open space, not enough space for deep-planted trees and no public housing or affordable housing component.’’
But Cr Sri said in a recent e-newsletter that here was “no plan or requirement to connect the missing link of the riverwalk between Dockside and Mowbray Park’’.
“I understand that Labor councillors were also opposed to this development, but unfortunately the LNP hold the majority on Council,’’ Cr Sri said.
“This development has been approved as a code assessable DA (development application), meaning neighbouring residents won’t even have a legal right to appeal the development approval in the Planning and Environment Court.
“Approvals like this highlight just how broken our planning and development assessment system is in Queensland, and demonstrate the need for major reform at both the State Government and local council levels.
“This is one of the reasons so many residents resort to protest – the government simply doesn’t care about the broader the public interest, and there are no other legal mechanisms available to make our voices heard.’’
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Most of the 10km-long route is riverfront complete, but Council has previously said it would not fund the remaining sections.
The owners of the Kangaroo Point site, at 102-108 Lambert St and 46 O’Connell St, had not mentioned it in their original DA documents.
Cr Sri said last year when the matter came to public attention that constructing a promenade would not be as expensive as the New Farm Riverwalk, which was originally a floating structure but washed away in the 2011 floods.
It was rebuilt on pylons at massive cost but attracts thousands of pedestrians and cyclists every week, particularly since the opening of Howard Smith Wharves.
The 200-unit three-tower residential project is code assessable as it does not exceed the height limit for that part of Kangaroo Point.
The project includes ground and rooftop recreational spaces including pool, lounge area and outdoor dining area.
One house and an eight-unit complex will be demolished and the three pre-1911 houses moved to other sites.
The project consultants, Mewing, said in the DA that the project “will make a positive contribution to continued growth of the Kangaroo Point area’’.
“The proposed built form, including setbacks, separation and site cover, is responsive to the site’s characteristics, the proximity and orientation of adjoining buildings and the form and intensity of other high density residential development in proximity of the site,’’ it said.
“The proposed development is also consistent with the emerging planning intent for the site. “The Draft Kangaroo Point Neighbourhood Plan identifies the site in the Shafston Precinct, which is intended to accommodate predominantly multiple dwelling towers that maintain street vistas and allow for adequate light penetration, air circulation and privacy.
See the full details of the project on Council’s development application portal pdonline. Search for application A005260505