Huge paint factory site tipped to transform suburb

The site of what was one of the world’s biggest paint factories could become a housing project that would transform the southside.

How the paint factory site could look if kept as an industrial area

The old Taubmans site in Yeronga, once the largest paint factory in the southern hemisphere, could become the catalyst to transform the area, a developer says.

The owner of the 3.4ha site has unveiled artist’s impressions of how it could look if Brisbane City Council approves an application for a rezoning.

Although the owner has the right to build a large storage facility under the existing industrial zoning, it prefers a low-to-medium-rise residential project with almost half of the site green space, although only some of that would be publicly available.

At the moment the entire site is fenced off.

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Development manager Paul Hey, a 20-year Yeronga resident, said the proposal would have a similar feel to James St near the Powerhouse, with quality two-level detached houses fronting Hyde Rd and five-level apartments behind.

“The residential option will allow for five times more green space than the industrial option,’’ he said.

“Three years ago, at the request of Brisbane City Council, we carried out extensive community engagement through an Enquiry By Design (EBD) process to gauge community expectations for the whole industrial precinct,’’ Mr Hey said.

“The feedback from the EBD showed the time was right to apply to change the zoning to residential.

“We’re now seeking confirmation from the community that this solution is still preferred.

“If not, the site will revert to intensified industrial development, as per current zoning.”

Industrial zoning would involve 15m-high buildings fronting Hyde Rd and a significant increase in truck and business traffic, he said.

Another benefit of ­residential zoning was that the developer would build a bikeway separated from the road.

How the Taubmans site could look if turned into industrial storage

But the Yeronga District Residents Association has expressed concerns about a rezoning, since 2016.

YDRA member Ian Callow said the EBD, held in 2015, could not be viewed as accurate as it was paid for by the developer and therefore there needed to be a formal neighbourhood planning process.

He said a July, 2016, forum held by YDRA showed residents feared approval of a large development application for housing, such as at the Taubmans site, would lead to rapid residential conversion across the entire Hyde Rd industrial area.

An outcomes report written by YDRA in the wake of the forum also found residents wanted to retain a green corridor down to the Brisbane River and maintain its flood mitigation role, and retain the current mix of land uses.

Cr Nicole Johnston opposes redevelopment of the site until a new, community-driven survey is done on the future of the precinct. Picture: AAP/Ric Frearson

The greater Hyde Rd precinct, of which the Taubmans site is only one section, contains a large, five-storey Regis retirement village in the north, a mix of light industrial premises including storage facilities, sports fields such as the Olympic FC headquarters, large areas of disused grassy open space in floodprone parts and a riding-for-the-disabled centre.

Several neighbouring businesses have also written submissions against the development application.

Councillor Nicole Johnston (Tennyson) said a low-density zoning would yield a maximum of 75 house lots, a far preferable outcome, even less if flood-prone sections of the area were left as a buffer.

“Residents have told me clearly that what they value about Yeronga is the low-density, family friendly feel of Yeronga West,’’ she said.

“I don’t support a change of zoning until an independent, community-driven, neighbourhood plan has been undertaken that more broadly considers future planning and infrastructure needs in Yeronga.’’

The options

Keep site industrial

• 50 per cent buildings

• 40 per cent roads

• 10 per cent landscaping

Convert site to housing

• 34 per cent buildings

• 14 per cent roads

• 52 per cent green space

(public space unknown)