Brisbane City Council approved Albion Exchange Stage One

Stage One of a controversial $750 transit-oriented development has received the green light from Brisbane City Council after it slashed the heights of its towers.

An artist's impression of Geon Property's Albion Exchange.

STAGE one of a $750 million transit-orientated development in an inner-north suburb has been approved after the developer slashed ten storeys off its proposed towers.

Brisbane City Council has approved Albion Exchange stage one today after Geon Property slashed the buildings heights of its towers after community outrcy.

The Albion Exchange masterplan for a transit oriented development with a significant amount of public open space consists of ten stages that will roll out over the next two decades.

Under the re-lodged plans, the first two towers proposed for the site will be 20 storeys and 19 storeys respectively with 253 total units.

The original plan was to have a 30 storey tower and 23 storey tower with 333 units, later revised down to 25 storeys and 22 storeys with 309 units by April this year.

Geon Property senior development manager Tim Rossberg said it was “confident that Albion Exchange will truly set the standard for Transit-Oriented Developments in this city, across the state, and across the country.”

He said as well as the changes in storeys, the changes also widened stairs and paths, enlarged lifts and added more shelter and shade.

In line with the overall reduction of the scale of the site, the building footprints will be 10 per cent smaller and parkland would drop from 60 per cent to 54 per cent of the site.

Mr Rossberg said more tenancies would be confirmed and construction on track to commence by the end of this year.

City Planning chair Matthew Bourke said the council encouraged the applicant to revise their propose to be more consistent with the height of surrounding developments.

An artist's impression of Geon Property's Albion Exchange.

“This site is owned by the Queensland State Government and there is a 10-stage development planned for this site and Council will ensure only appropriate development is approved,” he said.

“When Council officers assessed this application, it was clear the height of this building was not suitable for this area and needed to be scaled back.

“The applicant reduced the number of units by almost 25 per cent and the maximum height of the towers is now 20 storeys, which is a great outcome.”

Cr David McLachlan (Hamilton) has been a vocal critic of the plans but said the scaled-back tower was a win for the residents who criticised the project.

“During the initial assessment of this proposal Council received about 105 submissions, with the majority expressing concerns about then-proposed height,” Cr McLachlan said.

“The development will also include a publicly accessible plaza, an upgrade to Albion Station and cycle connection over the rail corridor.

“This is a win for all residents in the area who will benefit from the train station and amenity upgrades in the future.”

ALBION EXCHANGE MASTERPLAN TIMELINE

September 7, 2018: Albion Exchange Stage One development application lodged

September 12, 2018: Community divided over Albion Exchange Stage One plans

September 20, 2018: Councillor says ‘super-sized’ development not right for city fringe

October 18, 2018: Geon Property lodges grand masterplan for Albion Exchange

December 5, 2018: Developer in talks for education precinct at Albion

January 18, 2019: Albion Exchange Stage One goes to public consultation

April 24, 2019: Grand masterplan for Albion Exchange goes to public consultation

August 22, 2019: ‘City-shaping’ Albion Exchange development loses ten storeys