Brisbane’s most hated highrise project canned by Council

A three-tower Brisbane highrise that sparked street blockades and protest has been rejected by Council.

Residents blocked Lambert St, Kangaroo Point, earlier this year to protest at the plans for three 15-storey towers. Picture: Peter Wallis

A massive three-tower residential project in Kangaroo Point that triggered a street blockade and a protest in Council Chambers has been rejected earlier today.

City Planning Chair Krista Adams said an application for three 15-storey towers at 108 Lambert St did not meet community wishes.

“Anyone can submit an application for anything they wish but, at the same time, in addition to meeting the requirements of the planning scheme, it should meet the expectations of local residents,’’ Cr Adams said.

“Council’s independent planning officers determined that the application didn’t satisfy either.

“The assessment team were concerned about the impact the proposal would have on access in the area including inadequate boundary setbacks and balcony sizes, among other things.

“From day one we assured residents we would carefully assess this application and would not give the green light to an unsuitable application, and that is exactly what has happened.

“We have taken all community feedback on board and have put a stop to a proposal that doesn’t meet our high expectations for planning across Brisbane.’’

However, the developer can still go ahead with three 10-storey towers after Council gave that version the go-ahead in July.

The 108 Lambert St Kangaroo Point site.

Two pre-1911 homes on the site can still be moved to Old Cleveland Rd in Camp Hill, although the proposed relocation of another pre-1911 home to Allen St in Hamilton remains under assessment.

Say No To Lambert Street spokeswoman Lori Sexton said she was thrilled, but the community would still fight the DA for three 10-storey towers.

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She said that proposal involved 200 units, which would massively increase local traffic on the street which has been earmarked as an approach for a nearby green bridge proposal.

Ms Sexton said that DA also did not allow for any parkland or greens space and offered no access to the riverfront.

The site has been called the “missing link’’ in a grand riverfront promenade that would mirror the Riverwalk on the opposite side of the Brisbane River.

“The bigger issue is the flawed Kangaroo Point Peninsula Neighbourhood Plan,’’ Ms Sexton said.

Locals block Lambert St. Picture: Peter Wallis

“The community representatives on that were actually all developers and retailers.

“There needed to be practical, common sense average Joes to ensure protection for what we have left on the peninsula.

“There would only be half a dozen heritage homes left and too little green space for the residential development that has occurred.’’

The Gabba ward Councillor Jonathan Sri also was thrilled with he knock-back and said it showed Council could turn down even code-assessable projects if it wanted.

There are no public appeal or notification rights for code assessable developments, but Council has the right to challenge them in court or reject them.

“This is a massive win for residents who have been fighting against this overdevelopment for months now,’’ he said.

“The level of feeling was shown when we blocked Lambert St in peak hour, held a protest outside the developer’s offices and interrupted a City Hall meeting.

“The traffic that would have been generated was totally unacceptable.’’