Office development to tower over historic landmark ferry terminal

A four-level office block will tower over an iconic 1880s ferry terminal along the Brisbane River after a dramatic about-face from council, approving controversial plans for the neighbouring block.

Final concept designs for the office block at 2 Oxford St, Bulimba.

A four-level office block will tower over the iconic 1880s Bulimba Ferry Terminal after a dramatic about-face from council, approving controversial plans for the neighbouring block.

The development at 2 Oxford St was originally put forward as a 12-room hotel and two levels of retail.

Those plans ground to a halt in June last year when council’s Independent Design Advisory Panel recommended the proposal was “an unsympathetic overdevelopment of the site”.

Revised plans lodged on April 12 still detail a similar three-storey building with a rooftop deck with the use changed from one level of hotel rooms and two levels of retail to two levels of offices/shop and ground level food and drink outlets.

Bulimba Ferry Terminal with the development site in the background. Picture: Ric Frearson

City Planning Chairman Mathew Bourke said during the assessment process a small number of residents raised concerns about parking and the impact the development could have on significant trees, the ferry terminal and amenity.

“Council worked with the applicant to address and rectify these concerns in the development application stage and made amendments to the plans where needed, while ensuring all existing significant trees will be retained,” Cr Bourke said.

Approved plans for 2 Oxford St in relation to the heritage-listed Bulimba Ferry Terminal.

He said the approved development would allow the delivery of mixed retail outlets, office space and a new park.

“This approval means the site, which currently has a house on it, can be transformed into a hub for the local community and visitors to area,” Cr Bourke said.

“A mixed-use development like this ensures residents are close to the services they need and the lifestyle leisure opportunities they want.”

Councillor Kara Cook (Morningside) blasted the decision as “overdevelopment at its worst”.

“It is hypocritical and shortsighted for council to approve an oversized building that would loom over the historically significant Bulimba Ferry Terminal and add to the area’s traffic problems,” Cr Cook said.

Cr Kara Cook blasted the about-face from council as being hypocritical and shortsighted. Picture: Richard Walker/AAP

“It’s also disappointing that a new mayor who talks big on green space has approved this development that includes a sliver of riverfront land as a poor excuse for a public park,” Cr Cook said.

“The LNP council is paying lip service to the spirit of heritage preservation and preserving Bulimba’s village feel.

“The size of the building is totally inappropriate for the block and the location. Residents know it will add to traffic and cause the problems you would expect from allowing a house to be turned into three levels of offices and retail without any extra parking spaces.

“The local community supported a petition against this development and we will continue to fight overdevelopment throughout the Morningside Ward.”

Cr Cook said two similar developments were planned for Oxford St and said council had a duty to address traffic and parking problems more thoroughly.

“Parking is a huge issue on Oxford St and council must stop making the problem worse.”

Cr Cook said the only positive outcome was the developer had abandoned plans to knock down an 18m Norfolk pine and 10m jacaranda tree after pressure from the community.

Cr Bourke said the 400 sqm parkland on the riverfront would become a “wonderful location for people to enjoy some open green space on the river’s edge”.

“Council plans for the parkland to improve the entrance to Bulimba and deliver facilities for everyone to enjoy.

“The parkland will further strengthen connections to the Brisbane River and the development has been designed with Council’s River’s Edge Strategy specifically in mind.”