Test case for affordability: Comeback bid for ‘world’s greenest tower’ in South Brisbane

A bid to revive a 30-level inner-city unit project dubbed the “world’s greenest tower’’ is being labelled by opponents as a test case for new affordability rules.

The building was spruiked as having the most landscaping of any in the world.

A bid to revive an inner-city highrise project dubbed the “world’s greenest tower’’ is being labelled by opponents as a test case for new affordability rules.

Aria Property Group, which has dominated the West End peninsula’s skyline in recent years, last week lodged a development application (DA) for new plans for its stalled 82-88 Merivale St/Glenelg St residential highrise.

The proposal was scrapped in May last year when Aria announced that Brisbane “was ready for ‘Urban Forest’ however unfortunately circumstances have conspired against us”.

“It is a disappointing outcome and a lost opportunity to pioneer subtropical design in a vertical setting,” Aria development manager Michael Hurley said at the time.

The development was originally to have had 32 storeys, however Council approved it for only 20 levels.

Aria was now asking to be allowed to build a 30-level structure, the maximum height limit under new planning rules for the area.

The building was spruiked as having the most landscaping of any in the world.

Mr Hurley last year cited objections to the project and an “overheated” construction market as combining to make it unfeasible.

It was understood legal action taken by the West End Community Association over the building’s height also contributed to the scrapping of plans.

WECA spokeswoman Seleneah More said Aria last week asked for a fifth adjournment of the community group’s Planning & Environment Court appeal.

She believed it was stalling until Council approved the revised tower, which would be code assessable under the new Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) covering the area.

Code assessable projects cannot be appealed in the courts by residents or community groups.

“This is a luxury, $300 million tower, make no mistake,’’ Ms More said.

An aerial view of the South Brisbane site.

“The TLPI was passed after the State Government promised more affordable housing, but it is not mandated.

“This will be a test case for whether the TLPI really does deliver affordable options.’’

Ms More said Urban Forest had no affordable housing among its 321 units.

The State Government earlier this year controversially approved Council’s TLPI, which would allow up to 90 storeys around the Parmalat milk factory, 40-50 storeys around Melbourne St and 30 storeys in the area surrounding the green tower site.

Town planners Urbis said in the DA documents that South Brisbane, specifically the Kurilpa Precinct, was undergoing significant change in response to Brisbane’s demand for housing supply, affordability and diversity in the inner-city areas.

“The current external circumstances have resulted in changes in policy including the adoption of the recently gazetted Kurilpa Temporary Local Planning Instrument (TLPI) which provides for greater density, building height and reduced car parking requirements where design and sustainability benchmarks can be delivered,’’ it said.

Artist's impression of the revived project.

“These benchmarks include design excellence, community benefit, sustainability measures and housing diversity where proposing higher density residential buildings.

“Aria’s ‘Urban Forest’ comprises a truly iconic and world-class residential building, one which links Musgrave Park and South Bank Parklands.

“(It’s) a one-of-a-kind building offering dramatic views, significant community benefits, housing diversity and design excellence through lush subtropical greenery to the building.’’

Urbis said the building had been designed as one of the world’s greenest residential buildings

and was “in itself a piece of public art on the largest scale possible’’.

“The project landscape architects, LatStudios, have analysed the world’s most recognisable and acclaimed green buildings to confirm that the proposal does indeed provide the most landscaping for any residential building in the world,’’ it said.

After announcing it would not proceed with its original 32-level project, Aria later submitted a DA for a 12-level commercial tower with medical suites and other facilities.

More details on Council’s online DA portal developmenti. Search for 88 Merivale St or application A006414556

Originally published as Test case for affordability: Comeback bid for ‘world’s greenest tower’ in South Brisbane