Toombul demolition milestone reached as flood modelling blamed for delays

Developer Mirvac says it has reached a major demolition milestone at the ravaged Toombul Shopping Centre site. But it blames the need for complex flood modelling for long delays, which last month saw the local federal MP blast the company.

Developer Mirvac says it has reached a major demolition milestone at the ravaged Toombul Shopping Centre site.

Mirvac national development director David Hogendijk meanwhile blamed problems in aligning its flood modelling with Council models for long delays in redeveloping the site.

He said as much as 40 per cent of the 10ha site in Brisbane’s inner-north was now likely to be set aside for a bus interchange and green space, which could soak up flood water.

Mr Hogendijk said Mirvac was sounding out all levels of government for help with paying for the public green space, which would dramatically cut the amount of developable land.

His comments came after local federal MP Anika Wells last month slammed Mirvac for “delays and lack of transparency’’ following a meeting with its executives in Canberra to discuss progress.

Ongoing demolition at Toombul Shopping centre. Picture Lachie Millard

But Mr Hogendijk said on Friday morning, June 14, that Mirvac’s latest flood modelling had revealed the “sheer size and complexity” of mitigation work required.

The old Toombul shopping centre, abandoned after black mould infestation following the February, 2022 deluge, was notoriously floodprone.

Shoppers regularly had to scramble to rescue cars from its underground carpark in severe weather events.

“At over 10ha, we must first confirm areas which may be flood immune and safe to be built on, which is an essential basis for planning for the site,’’ he said.

Inside the partly-demolished Toombul Shopping Centre. Photo: Supplied

“Many local residents understand that we can’t simply replace what was there, on the same ground, and hope for a different result.

“We would also like to thank the community for remaining patient as we progress our engagement with Council and the State and we will continue to provide updates.

“We acknowledge that it has taken us longer than we had expected to get to this point.

“But to redevelop this much-loved site is highly complex and involves many experts as well as local planning and other authorities.

Local resident captures a group of youths entering Toombul Shopping Centre, which has become popular with urban explorers. Picture: Lang Sherpa

“While we are making good progress, it is important we get this right.’’

Despite the delays he said demolition had now passed the 35 per cent mark and was on track for completion late this year or in early 2025.

A start date on reconstruction was still not known but Mirvac was already negotiating on a new anchor retail tenant.

It has previously said a mixed-use redevelopment with public green space, bus interchange, office, a residential component and smaller retail footprint were likely.

So far, about 10,000 tonnes of material had been removed from the site with 95 per cent able to be recycled.