Redland Bay waterfront high-rises shape up as SEQ’s new trendy lifestyle spot

A ferry terminal south of Brisbane is shaping up to become one of the trendy high-rise spots in southeast Queensland with the third lot of residential tower block plans submitted to the state government in six months.

A ferry terminal south of Brisbane is shaping up to become one of the trendy high-rise spots in southeast Queensland with the third lot of residential tower block plans submitted to the state government in six months.

More than 1000 units will be built in the next two years at the state government controlled priority development area at Weinam Creek ferry terminal overlooking Moreton Bay at Redland Bay.

The latest development application awaiting approval from the state government’s Economic Development Queensland is for 52 units and a 120-space childcare centre less than 200m from the terminal.

Designed by HAL Architects, the high rise, which will be a new concept from the sleepy bayside suburb, will have a maximum building height of eight storeys or 28.2m.

A childcare centre will be on the ground floor, with six levels of apartments and a rooftop communal recreation area.

The proposal is lodged over three separate land parcels with a combined site area of 2427 sqm fronting the busy Banana, Meissner and Outridge streets.

The site at Banana St, Redland Bay near the Weinam Creek ferry terminal.

The existing house and garage will be demolished and the yard will no longer be able to be used for ferry terminal carparking for island residents.

Bay island residents have complained that the unit developments at the ferry terminal will take up parking spaces for island cars and create a dangerous parking bottleneck and more congestion.

Developers said the new units will have 142 car spaces as well as other facilities including a swimming pool, spas and a sauna.

In a report to EDQ, Plan-A town planners acknowledged that EDQ had concerns about carparking above ground level and had ensured all parking was entirely in two basement levels.

The town planners said the proposal comprised seven storeys plus a rooftop recreation level, which would not be considered a storey under state definitions.

An artist impression of the rooftop of the tower block at Redland Bay.

The report also said the proposed childcare centre would introduce a new operator and modern centre to the local area, with the capacity to improve places for infants and convenience for families.

But advocate for a bridge to Russell Island Ian Olsson said developers were pushing the Weinam Creek area to its limits.

“This eight-storey 52 unit and child care centre will replace three houses and remove all the private parking for 30 island cars on the three properties,” he said.

“The proposed childcare centre catchment includes the southern Moreton Bay islands and there are concerns this development will impede a childcare centre on Russell Island.

“There will be additional pressures on parking and pick up and drop off parking outside and inside the proposed building complex.”

Plans are with EDQ and no decision is expected before Christmas.