Defence to consider Victoria Barracks sale, calls for housing, green space

A massive renewal of an inner-Brisbane site has edged closer after the Department of Defence listed it for audit. Nearby retailers and all levels of government say it is a rare chance to create something visionary for the city.

The barracks site in 1882, some of the buildings nowadays and an impression of the Brisbane Live proposal.

Affordable housing, green space and “boutique’’ heritage offices are just some of the suggestions floated if the Department of Defence goes ahead with a long-awaited sale of Victoria Barracks.

The historic site in Petrie Terrace in the inner-city dates back to 1864 but could not be heritage listed by the State Government as it was Commonwealth property.

Local Greens MP Stephen Bates has called for interim heritage protection after news that Defence would complete an audit of properties by the end of 2024, including the barracks.

A survey Mr Bates’ office is conducting has so far received 105 responses, with affordable housing and green space some of the top priorities mentioned.

Caxton Street Development Association president, Sarosh Mehta, said his members supported more housing as it would create a permanent customer base for the famed retail strip, which presently relied on sporting events for much of its turnover.

History buff and Barracks volunteer Marilyn England at the site in 2016. Military buffs want to protect the barracks from being developed. Picture: Elise Searson

“What we don’t want is another Howard Smith Wharves or something like that which would directly compete with us,’’ Mr Mehta said.

“We have had a very tough time since Covid and we are still recovering.’’

Mr Mehta said the strip had been overlooked by Council and the State Government and was heavily affected by the safe night precinct rules.

He believed that a raised pedestrian connection to the proposed $2.5 billion Brisbane Arena at the Roma St train station, slated to be finished by 2030, would be a huge boost.

Any redevelopment of Victoria Barracks also needed to include good pedestrian connectivity to the top of Caxton St, he said.

Artist impression of Brisbane Live at Roma St.

The Brisbane Arena precinct was expected to include new retail and dining sites.

How it would be delivered was uncertain, with Harvey Lister’s ASM Global and entertainment promoter Live Nation thought to be frontrunners.

Mr Bates said interim heritage protection of the significant barracks was vital as the buildings would become vulnerable during any sale process.

“Many of these buildings are already protected under defence heritage but will lose that protection after the Barracks goes on sale,’’ he said.

“We want to see a heritage audit of Victoria Barracks right now before it’s sold so we can make sure the buildings and sites with genuine historical, architectural and cultural values are protected.

“Crucial to this vision is keeping the barracks in public hands. This can’t just be another asset sale.’’

Federal Greens MP for Brisbane, Stephen Bates. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Victoria Barracks has 25 buildings dating from 1864 to 1967, many of them now run down, which reflected Brisbane’s military history and lifestyle in the 19th century.

In 2016 Council proposed a mixed-use commercial, residential and community redevelopment up to six storeys high near the railway marshalling yards.

Part of Council’s draft City West Neighbourhood Plan, it covered the Caxton St, Normanby and Petrie Tce precincts.

The plan also included a pedestrian and cycling link to Roma Street Parklands and Hardgrave Park, a public plaza on the barracks site, green space, but no requirement for affordable or public housing.

Victoria Barracks, viewed from Roma St railyards, with Countess St in the fireground, in 1882.

The National Trust of Australia (Queensland) said at the time that “frameworks’’ must be put around potential development “before it’s too late”.

After news of the Defence audit emerged recently Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner called for the barracks to be put to “better use’’, with connections to Caxton St and Brisbane Arena.

Deputy Premier Steven Miles said a barracks sale would “revitalise’’ the area.

Local Greens Council candidate, Seal Chong Wah, said her party’s doorknocking of 1200 residents had revealed they wanted accessible green space, protection of the site’s European and Indigenous heritage and community facilities.

Unpainted and neglected: the Officer's Mess at Victoria Barracks. Picture: brismania.com

“Petrie Terrace is also located right near good public transport links, essential services and thousands of job opportunities, which is why some locals highlighted that it is a prime location for plentiful, genuinely affordable housing,’’ she said.

The Greens are planning a town hall on November 21 at the Polish Club in Milton to discuss the barracks sale and other local issues.

“We want to hear from locals about their vision for the future of the Paddington ward, including this historic site,’’ Ms Chong Wah said.

“The Petrie Terrace and Caxton St precinct has serious potential, but to realise that potential we need to move beyond making decisions site by site and start thinking about what our whole neighbourhood looks like in 10 years.

“Between Victoria Barracks and Brisbane Live, we have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to redesign the entire Petrie Terrace and Caxton Street precinct, from the Brisbane River to Barrambin (Victoria Park).’’