Construction starts on 32-house project on Kianawah Rd, Wynnum West

A massive housing development is the latest project boosting a Brisbane bayside suburb which has seen a complete transformation in recent years.

A Brisbane suburb is shedding its unwanted tags to become one of the city’s “fastest growing” areas as a massive $14.5 million housing project starts to come together.

Construction started last week on a 32-house development at 420 Kianawah Rd, Wynnum West from Redlands-based Fiteni Homes, which is expected to be complete in January, 2022.

The giant project, named ‘Kianawah’, is the latest large-scale development to in Wynnum West’s complete transformation from a suburb previously known for its lack of progress and as a crime hotspot.

Fiteni Homes development manager Tom Barker. (AAP/Image Sarah Marshall)

It comes after works started on Pellicano’s Arbor Park, a 37-townhouse community, as well as the Brisbane City Council approving Shayher Properties’ $100 million plans to revamp the Wynnum Plaza, which will include residential complexes and is expected to start construction later this year.

The 32 blocks will be between 400 to 700 sqm each.

Plans for the 32-house development at 420 Kianawah Rd, Wynnum West. Picture: PD Online

Development manager at Fiteni Homes, Tom Barker, said they expected the project to attract new families to the area.

“Wynnum West has become a popular choice for purchasers as it is idyllically located between the Bay and Brisbane CBD, it is well serviced by public transport and parks, and in close proximity to some great schools,” he said.

“Given where Wynnum West is situated, it is a unique opportunity to build a new home that benefits from being located near the inner city as well as enjoying a premium bayside location.

Plans for the 32-house development at 420 Kianawah Rd, Wynnum West. Picture: PD Online

“As a developer and builder operating on the bayside for nearly 50 years... we are responsible for a number of Wynnum West’s best established communities as well as the delivery of significant infrastructure, such as intersection upgrades, that benefited the wider region.

“We are excited to continue our legacy of high quality communities and delivering community benefit through public infrastructure with this project.”

Mr Barker also said 75 per cent of the site, almost six hectares, would be replanted as native bushland and transferred into the ownership of Brisbane City Council at no cost to Council or the rate payer.

Plans for the 32-house development at 420 Kianawah Rd, Wynnum West. Picture: PD Online

“This will provide fauna habitat and support stormwater drainage for this area and will be maintained by Fiteni until the new bushland is well established,” he said.

“This will provide fauna habitat and support stormwater drainage for this area and will be maintained by Fiteni until the new bushland is well established.

“The project will result in more than $600,000 in payments to council and other utility providers to fund or future community and public infrastructure upgrades that will benefit Wynnum West and the wider bayside area.”

Councillor for Wynnum Manly Peter Cumming.

Councillor for Wynnum Manly Peter Cumming (ALP) said he was excited to see Wynnum West continue to grow.

“It’s more housing for Wynnum West, which is great, and it provides some variety with the townhouses at Arbor Park and the units expected to go into the Wynnum Plaza development,” he said.

“In recent years, I think Wynnum West has been the strongest growth area in the Wynnum Manly Ward, I’m happy to see that continue.

“I know Fiteni build quality homes as well and it’s a smallish estate where there’s plenty of services in that area with schools, Wynnum Vikings AFL, easy access from Wynnum Road to the city, so I’d expect young families to want to move in there.”

Cr Cumming said he did not expect there to be any traffic issues on Kinawah Rd when the project was complete despite it being close to the notoriously dangerous Lindum level crossing.