Federal MP Anika Wells slams delays, ‘secrecy’ over Toombul redevelopment

A senior Brisbane federal politician has slammed developer Mirvac over delays and a lack of information about its plans to revamp the flood-wrecked Toombul Shopping Centre.

A major company behind a semi-demolished landmark Toombul Shopping Centre on Brisbane’s northside has yet to provide clear plans for the future of the site, according to a federal government frontbencher.

The alleged lack of community consultation has pushed Aged Care and Sport Minister Anika Wells, whose electorate covered Toombul, to rally local politicians from across all three levels of government to “discuss a way forward”.

Toombul, owned by Mirvac, is currently being demolished after extensive black mould damage caused in the February, 2022 flood.

Mirvac expected demolition to be finished by early 2025.

Re-development plans have not yet been revealed, but Mirvac has flagged public green space, residential and a smaller retail component would likely all be in the mix.

Ongoing demolition at Toombul Shopping centre. Picture Lachie Millard

Ms Wells met with Mirvac executives in Canberra on Thursday, May 30.

But she said she still did not have “a clear picture from Mirvac about their plans for the future of Toombul and remained concerned about their lack of community consultation”.

Ms Wells, in a letter, invited state MPs Leanne Linard (Nudgee) and Tim Nicholls (Clayfield), as well as Brisbane City Councillor Adam Allan to a meeting at the end of June in a bid to sort out a way forward.

“Community feedback demonstrates that residents remained very concerned that the future of the site is being determined without adequate local consultation,” she wrote.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells says Mirvac needs to open up about its plans for the Toombul Shopping Centre site. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Martin Ollman

“By working together across all levels of government, I believe we have our best opportunity to represent the interests of our residents in determining how we can achieve the best outcome for Toombul.”

A Mirvac spokeswoman said in a statement: “We continue to have discussions with all levels of government about Toombul and we will continue to engage with the community as we consider the future plans for the site.”

Flooding at Toombul shopping centre. Photo: Aaron Symonds

The company has yet to lodge a formal development application with council and began major demolition work only last month following council approval for the demolition late last year.

While detail has been scant, Mirvac has a public e-newsletter with monthly updates and has surveyed residents on what they wanted.

The only commitments so far were for significant public green space and retention of the busy bus interchange.

The site would also be made more flood resilient.