Questions over Howard Smith Wharves plan as developers push into river

The authorities set to decide on the proposed redevelopment of Howard Smith Wharves have demanded more information on whether any negative impacts can be adequately mitigated.

Three months ago, plans were lodged for a new nine-storey hotel with a theatre hall in the popular precinct, and a separate hospitality and function area featuring a pool deck extending over the Brisbane River.

In mid-December, the State Assessment and Referral Agency issued Urbis, acting on behalf of HSW Nominees and developer Artemus Group, with a 10-page list of questions about transport, heritage, community, environmental and community impacts of the proposed redevelopment.

A render of the proposed development at Howard Smith Wharves submitted to Brisbane City Council in September 2024. The proposed hotel is in the centre of the image, rising to the top of the cliffs.Credit: Artemus

SARA found the application submitted to Brisbane City Council failed to demonstrate accessibility, on an already constrained site, for “a hotel complemented by significant function/event space that will be heavily reliant on public passenger transport and active transport”.

It also had questions about the future of the site’s historical features – Howard Smith Wharves was entered on the Queensland Heritage Register in 1997 – including the proposed demolition of the Rivershed event space, and whether other works, including the construction of beverage storage tanks, would damage the old air raid shelters.

“This level of detail is necessary in order to properly determine how the development has minimised its adverse impacts on the Howard Smith Wharves’ cultural heritage significance, and what methods will be employed to ensure the development is compatible with the conservation of the place’s built and landscape features.”

While the former Labor government backed the redevelopment in principle – the river is under state control – SARA noted a lack of detail about planned tidal and riverbank works.

During the 2022 floods, debris banked up in the area now earmarked for an overwater pool, bar and terrace area extending 30m into the river.

The SARA request came only weeks after council made a similar request, noting that “from the documentation submitted it is difficult to determine if parts of the proposed development are of a scale that will successfully integrate with the parkland, heritage values on-site, and public access across the site and to the river”.

The overwater pool proposed for Howard Smith Wharves.

Pointedly, council asked for “consideration of alternative design options for the new hotel building,” while questioning its overall height and bulk between the Story Bridge, river and cliffs.

It suggested there be improved public access to the river, changes to the pool deck, and criticised the plan for a shared cycle and pedestrian path through a colonnade on the ground floor of the hotel.

“It has not been adequately demonstrated that the proposed works will ensure the Riverwalk operates at an acceptable level of service,” council told Urbis.

Calling for more detail on traffic modelling and planning, council told Urbis it would need to demonstrate that neighbouring residents and roads – including the busy Boundary and Ivory Street intersection, and the Bowen Terrace drop-off area – would not be undermined.

The new hotel proposed for Howard Smith Wharves, with a pedestrian and cycle path running through it.

Urbis, HSW Nominees and Artemus have until mid-March to respond to SARA and are likely to address the council concerns during the same period.

It is not the only plan to rejuvenate a stretch of the river that was once little more than decommissioned wharves.

Nearby, the massive Waterfront Brisbane project is set to rise up on the site of the old Eagle Street Pier.

Waterfront Brisbane will include a new waterfront retail precinct and Riverwalk, and is generally in line with the City Reach Waterfront Master Plan released by the council in 2020.

After the nearby Riverside Centre was granted heritage protection a year ago, council successfully sought a court order that the Riverwalk and ferry terminal could still be maintained and upgraded.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner recently asked for state and federal funding for a new Riverside ferry terminal as council considers more services.

His request came after the council’s $288 million Kangaroo Point Bridge opened, providing a new, if somewhat limited, active transport connection between the CBD and the south side of the river.

Upstream, around the bend, Queen’s Wharf has rejuvenated the waterfront underneath the Riverside Expressway – but not without controversy. Its promised hotel and retail components are still years away.

Across the river, South Bank has a master plan for redevelopment – it may ultimately determine the future of the Queensland Maritime Museum – but no building schedule. However, surrounding riverfront suburbs are primed for more high-rise residential towers and at least one new luxury hotel.

Ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, a new waterfront media centre, and possibly a new venue to host the flame, have been floated, and there has been discussion of the role the river might play in the opening ceremony.

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