No overseas students, but uni starts work on highrise

Work is steaming ahead on a new 16-storey student highrise at the University of Queensland, despite concerns from a local councillor. But UQ says the project will create jobs and reduce traffic.

It’s overseas student numbers have been devastated and is facing a $300 million blackhole, but construction work is surging ahead on a new highrise accommodation tower at the University of Queensland.

Demolition wrapped up just as the lockdown began and site preparation has been going ahead since then on the block, bounded by Walcott, Rock and Hood streets.

Local Councillor, James Mackay, said he was concerned the university had open slather on such projects, with no oversight from Council.

“UQ has a special designation from the state government that allows it to circumvent Brisbane City Council planning rules,’’ Cr Mackay said.

“Ever since I was the St Lucia Community Association President some years ago, I’ve been fighting to make sure UQ doesn’t have state government permission to construct buildings like this in residential St Lucia. ”

However, UQ said more than 200 construction jobs would be created through Queensland builder, McNab, and traffic along congested Sir Fred Schonell Drive would actually be reduced.

“The complex is based on robust research showing a clear gap in the market for more value-for-money, purpose-built, on-campus student accommodation at St Lucia,’’ a spokeswoman said.

“A benefit of the Student Residences project is that it will enable students to live and study on campus, which will reduce daily car traffic to and from campus.

“UQ is also committed to an increase in use of public transport, and is currently co-funding, with Translink, the provision of additional bus services to the St Lucia campus equivalent to over 4000 seats per day.’’

She said the university, like many other universities, hospitals, and community and sporting venues, had an Infrastructure Designation.

The development was the same height as the design first introduced in 2016 and was consistent with allowable heights in neighbourhood plans developed by Council for Toowong and St Lucia.

“The project will include the restoration of the historic Cairngorm homestead and preservation of two large fig trees on the site,’’ she said.

“It is being funded through a Queensland Treasury Corporation loan, and it is expected to be financially sustainable from its first year of operation in 2022.’’

Development on campus and surrounding properties it owns, such as the former Avalon theatre on Sir Fred Schonell Drive, have ruffled feathers among residents who already contend with parked-out streets and heavy traffic.

The university was approached for comment.

Double wave of students tipped to boost St Lucia unit market

“The new UQ student residence will be both high quality and competitively priced to encourage the enrolment of a diverse cohort of students, including those from less advantaged backgrounds and from rural and remote areas,’’ its website read.

“Integration with other services on campus will provide a seamless experience for students and will help them to adjust to university life.

“The development of an on-campus residence will help UQ attract, support, and retain a diverse and inclusive mix of high-achieving staff and students and is expected to be open from Semester one, 2022.’’

The project was approved by the UQ Senate in December last year.

Builders McNab began demolition in January and erected a permanent tower crane on site a few weeks ago.

The university advised staff and visitors to avoid the surrounding streets, if possible, during construction.