Residents fear Powderfinger frontman’s music building could go

ONE of Queensland music’s most significant venues, where Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning learned his craft, is fighting a losing battle with an aged care facility, residents fear.

• Fears home will be turned into aged care facility

A HISTORIC music building where Powderfinger frontman Bernard Fanning learned his craft will have to be relocated to make way for a massive aged care facility, Brisbane residents fear.

The landmark former St Ignatius College music building in Toowong, was moved years ago from the college to its current, nearby site.

It is also next to Brisbane Boys’ College, where Powderfinger lead guitarist and songwriter Darren Middleton was educated.

Developer the Pikos Group has applied to subdivide the site and move the music building, which it refers to as an “outbuilding’’.

It promised to renovate a state heritage-listed property on the site, Goldicott House, which dates from 1885, and return it to its former use as a residential home.

The property is owned by the Sisters of Mercy and was the first house in Brisbane to feature a poured concrete floor.

Rebecca Kenny is opposing plans to turn the heritage-listed Goldicott House into a 600-bed aged care home. Picture: AAP/Renae Droop

Grove Crescent, Toowong, resident Rebecca Kenny, who has led opposition to the project, said although Pikos had promised to renovate the heritage home, she feared it wanted to press ahead with plans for 600 aged care beds on the rest of the site.

Pikos did not respond to requests for comment.

However, Councillor Julian Simmonds (Walter Taylor), who is also City Planning chairman, said he opposed the project because of traffic and heritage concerns.

“As a new application, Council officers are still undertaking an initial assessment,’’ Cr Simmonds said.

“However, as the local councillor, I do not support the subdivision given the considerable site constraints including state and local heritage listing and environmental impacts.

“I encourage residents to contact me with their concerns so I can convey community feedback to the assessing Council officers.”

Cr Julian Simmonds opposes the project. Picture: Tara Croser

Consultants Cardno, acting for Pikos, stated in documents lodged with the Council that heritage impact advice was prepared by Ivan McDonald Architects.

“It has concluded that the proposed development will have acceptable heritage impacts and will satisfy all relevant heritage assessment criteria,’’ it stated.

Ms Kenny said the “out-building’’ Pikos planned to move was a heritage structure that at one stage served as the music room for nearby St Ignatius College. It was moved to its current site “years ago’’.

“(Powderfinger frontman) Bernard Fanning had music lessons there. It’s a lovely building and can’t be demolished, but would have to be moved before any development could take place,’’ Ms Kenny said.

“Everybody is still opposed, even though it is still unclear precisely what Pikos wants to put on the two subdivided lots next to Goldicott house.’’

Bernard Fanning performs at State of Origin at Suncorp Stadium last year. Picture: Getty

Pikos was believed to have told a Brisbane Boys’ College (BBC) board meeting last year that it wanted to build 200 aged care beds on the site, rising to 600 once the development was complete.

However it needed access via BBC, which was the under bidder when the property sold to Pikos at auction.

Pikos was believed to have offered to build boarding houses for the school.

As Goldicott House is on the Queensland Heritage Register, the application also has to be assessed by the State Government.

Former Heritage Minister Steven Miles has previously said he would formally object once a DA was lodged.

Originally published as Residents fear Powderfinger frontman’s music building could go