A proposed 25-storey residential tower at Newstead has sparked fears of overcrowding

A new residential tower development has sparked concerns of overcrowding in an inner city suburb described as a “concrete jungle”.

A NEW residential tower development has sparked concerns of overcrowding in an inner city Brisbane suburb described as a “concrete jungle”.

The next stage in developer Mirvac’s Waterfront Newstead project is the “Sky” tower, a 25-storey residential building at 57 Skyring Terrace and 18 Cunningham St, next to Waterfront Park.

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The proposal is for 143 residential units with one, two and three bedrooms, as well as 212 residential parking spaces and 30 retail or visitor spaces.

It also boasts some retail and food outlets on the ground floor, tropical landscaping, a wellness centre, a gym and a 25m rooftop pool with a barbecue entertaining area.

The site is listed on the Environmental Management Register for being previously subjected to coal gas works, petroleum or oil storage and operating as a railway yard.

Though Mirvac said any contamination issues would be remediated prior to development.

The company lodged a development application for the Sky tower last month, and it was formally accepted by Brisbane City Council last week.

The proposal meets the council’s criteria under the Teneriffe and Newstead Neighbourhood Plan, making it Code Assessable.

A render of what the outside of Mirvac Sky will look like. The developer says the new building will be based on "organic forms." Picture: Mirvac

This means that it does not have to be publicly advertised, though Mirvac said it did carry out some voluntary community information sessions last September.

While there are no rights for residents to appeal should it be approved, one nearby resident has already written to the council to lodge an objection.

Marie Gracey stated that the tower would create overcrowding in the area and “further cluttering a concrete jungle which is Newstead”.

Ms Gracey also stated the tower could have a detrimental impact on property value at her unit block, which is situated immediately north west of the proposed Sky tower.

Mirvac however said a significant amount of open space would be delivered to the community in the first stage of the development.

The proposed site is situated across from Mirvac’s council-approved twin-tower Shore project at 60 Skyring Terrace which, when completed, will contain 333 units as well as office and retail outlets.

Mirvac’s Waterfront Newstead Precincts. Photo: Mirvac

The Shore project was held up in the Planning and Environment Court for about two years after appeals against its approval were lodged.

The company’s twin Unison towers are just around the corner, and the proposed Lake precinct which is proposed for land next to Unison’s eastern tower.

It has been reported that Newstead could have an additional 20,000 residents over the next 20 years.

Remnants of Newstead’s industrial past can still be seen in the area, though the attraction of waterfront living has certainly transformed the area over the past decade or so.

A four-bedroom penthouse apartment on Wyandra St is listed at $2.4 million, though smaller, more humble units are listed from around $500,000.