CFMEU plans new theatre and events centre, ahead of new unit development

One of Queensland’s most controversial unions is planning to build a theatre and conference centre at Bowen Hills, complete with a rooftop bar.

Plans for the three-storey building, next door to the CFMEU’s Campbell Street base, were submitted to Economic Development Queensland in May.

The CFMEU has proposed a 478-seat auditorium and conference centre for members at its Bowen Hills base.Credit: Nettleton Tribe

The proposal will be assessed by the state, rather than Brisbane City Council, as it falls within an EDQ priority development area.

While the cost of the centre was not disclosed in planning documents submitted to EDQ, property searches showed the union purchased the property last August for $4.51 million.

When approached for comment, the CFMEU declined to shed more light on its plans.

But in a planning report prepared by Urbicus and submitted to the state government on the union’s behalf, the Nettleton Tribe-designed building was described as “an event space for CFMEU members”.

The proposal will include a rooftop terrace and bar.Credit: Nettleton Tribe

It could accommodate up to 478 people, Urbicus said, with multiple stage and seating configurations.

“The facility will be made available, on occasions, to the public for functions,” Urbicus said.

The design featured a rooftop terrace and bar, which Urbicus said would “support the operations of the auditorium”.

The building would be 21.6 metres high and have 1470 square metres of gross floor area. Seventeen basement car parks would be provided, one of which would cater for disabilities.

The architects said the space could be used for dance or performance classes, play-reading, meditation, and yoga.Credit: Nettleton Tribe

In its architectural report, Nettleton Tribe said the design would activate the streetscape and provide a flexible event space for users.

“In addition to operating as a function venue, the space can be used as performance, rehearsal space and more general public uses, for example dance or performance classes, play-reading, meditation, and yoga groups,” Nettleton Tribe said.

The documents also hinted at long-term plans for a 24-storey build-to-rent (BTR) tower next door, at the site of the current CFMEU headquarters.

Those plans did not form part of the development application submitted to EDQ.

The CFMEU also plans a 24-storey build-to-rent (BTR) tower next to the new centre.Credit: Nettleton Tribe

The CFMEU also owns five other nearby properties, at least one of which has been slated for that purpose.

Across the road, it planned to develop 19-25 Campbell Street into a 30-storey, 380-unit BTR tower, to be called Number One Bowen.

“The union is upbeat about assisting in increasing the housing and rental supply in south-east Queensland as a positive contribution to an undersupplied market and demonstrating that projects can proceed and be profitable while delivering for the wider community,” CFMEU Queensland branch secretary Michael Ravbar said in 2022.