Up to 20k new residents to flock to Moorooka area after council ticks off plan for 3000 homes

Up to 20,000 more people will move into three emerging inner-south suburbs after council signed off on a plan dogged by years of bitter fighting.

Artist's impression of how a revitalised Beaudesert Rd in Moorooka could like. Image: Brisbane City Council

Up to 20,000 more people will move into three emerging inner-south suburbs after council signed off on a plan dogged by years of bitter fighting.

About 2500 new dwellings and 12,500 jobs would be created by rezoning light industrial zones in the Moorooka area, particularly near the railway line.

A controversial element of the Nathan, Salisbury, Moorooka Neighbourhood Plan was the heritage listing of 180 homes built during WWII to house workers at a nearby munitions factory, a decision later reversed.

Council unanimously adopted the plan at this week’s meeting after five years of delays.

The LNP administration blamed the Opposition for much of the delays and Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said it highlighted difficulties with the planning system.

Artist's impression of what a revitalised Beaudesert Rd in Moorooka could look like. Image: Brisbane City Council

“It (the plan) continues to provide protection for character in areas that have character but provides opportunity for delivery of new housing,” he said.

“The new homes could help transform Moorooka from the existing large amounts of light industrial to residential and mixed use areas.

“There will be significant opportunities for urban renewal. Old factories can be turned into apartments and shops.”

Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy said Labor supported the final version, as well as similar plans for Wynnum and Stones Corner.

Mr Cassidy said however there had been cuts and less money for infrastructure to support increased density.

“We’re very happy to support this plan to get the ball rolling,” he said.

Local councillor Steve Griffiths said while he supported the plan, there had been significant issues and he understood it could be the last neighbourhood plan in Brisbane.

How Ipswich Rd in Moorooka could be redeveloped. Image: Brisbane City Council

He said there was almost no new infrastructure to support the influx of people including no new regional playground, social spaces and or green along Rocky Waterholes Creek.

There also were no new sport and recreational facilities, limited extra flood mitigation and Moorooka still had only one major supermarket, on Beaudesert Rd where much of the 17,000 extra people would be housed.

He said there also needed to be a rail overpass upgrade.

Council said the neighbourhood plan would “guide the delivery” of modernised streetscapes, new business precincts, residential precincts and better connectivity to transport.

The plan was based on feedback from 174 residents who made submissions during community consultation.

A key focus of the plan is to improve walkability and transport connections between major employment and residential areas.

The Moorooka Magic Mile precinct has been earmarked as a major employment and lifestyle precinct, with plans to reinvigorate the area to encourage businesses and improve liveability.

Councillor Steve Griffiths. Picture: Annette Dew

But there was no cash for an interpretative sign on the Magic Mile, a term coined for a famed string of car dealerships, most now gone.

The neighbourhood plan also included a future upgrade of Ipswich Rd from four to six lanes to improve traffic flow and a shady subtropical boulevard through Moorooka.

A new bikeway on the western side of Ipswich Rd was also proposed in future.

“This new neighbourhood plan will ensure our suburbs can continue to cater for our growing population, while delivering better amenities and more to see and do,’’ Mr Schrinner said.

“A key part of this plan is to unlock more housing within walking distance to key infrastructure, such as transport, shops and businesses to ensure our suburbs remain the best place to live, work and relax.

“We’re excited to see this neighbourhood plan come to life and deliver one of the most significant improvements to these suburbs in years, transforming them into vibrant lifestyle precincts.”

Originally published as Up to 20k new residents to flock to Moorooka area after council ticks off plan for 3000 homes