Bid for hotel next to historic Bulimba Ferry Terminal on hold

A RIVERSIDE hotel development in one of Brisbane’s most popular retail and restaurant precincts is on hold following major concerns raised by council.

Hotel plans at 2 Oxford St Bulimba lodged by 11 Ludlow Pty Ltd.

A RIVERSIDE hotel development next to the heritage-listed Bulimba ferry terminal is on hold following major concerns raised by council.

The plans proposed by developers 11 Ludlow Pty Ltd detail a three-storey building with a rooftop pool and entertainment terrace and basement level car park for 21 cars.

The proposal features a 12 room hotel over two levels, two shops on the ground floor, a riverside park and terrace area and private jetty.

The 1134 sqm development site at 2 Oxford St, is now a five-bedroom home with a pool.

Council’s Independent Design Advisory Panel recommended the proposal was “an unsympathetic overdevelopment of the site”. The panel advised:

■ Oxford St access was “potentially dangerous”;

■ the proposal impinges on waterfront access, exacerbated by the extrusion of balconies over the waterfront and insufficient riparian setbacks;

■ the centre presents a “solid wall to Oxford St”;

■ the proposed park is not clearly defined as publicly-accessible space; and

■ the plans do not complement or designed sympathetic to Bulimba ferry terminal.

Bulimba Ferry Terminal at Oxford St, Bulimba. The development site is in the background, next to the terminal. Photo: AAP/Ric Frearson

Councillor Kara Cook (Morningside) said the hotel application was “riddled” with issues.

“Instead of complementing the character of the area, people approaching the ferry terminal will be greeted by an 11m, four-storey blank wall,” Cr Cook said.

“If you’re not arriving by yacht it’s a giant eyesore that is in no way sympathetic to its surrounds.”

She said the developers also planned to knock down an 18m Norfolk pine and 10m Jacaranda tree.

“A riverfront site like this is normally required to dedicate land for a public park but this proposal provides only a sliver of private plaza at the expense of two well-established trees,” Cr Cook said.

“We are the River City. We can’t lock away amazing views for the privileged few.”

The developer 11 Ludlow did not respond to the Advertiser’s questions.

In their application, the developer argued the plans addressed the outcomes in council’s Oxford Street precinct and District Centre zoning and the River’s Edge Strategy 2013 by supporting the retail precinct and creating public riverside parkland and retail development providing greater public access to the Brisbane River.

An artist’s impression of the public riverside parkland providing greater public access to the Brisbane River.

Plans for 2 Oxford St, Bulimba