Anger at plans for riverside suburb’s tallest building in luxe street

Plans for the tallest building in these suburbs have angered neighbours on one of SEQ’s most desirable streets.

Plans for a four-level Regis retirement and aged care home, destined to become the tallest building in Bulimba, Balmoral and Hawthorne, have infuriated neighbours on Bulimba Pde who say council has betrayed them with a rezoning they knew nothing about.

They said the little-known zoning category, possibly one of only two in Brisbane, meant the 123-person facility could go ahead with no right of appeal for homeowners on several nearby streets.

Locals said they weren’t NIMBYs and in fact were happy for the 50-year-old site to be redeveloped.

All they asked was that Regis stick to the three levels the site was zoned for when they bought into the area, and a design that was sympathetic to the suburb’s architecture.

“Regis has effectively told residents they can get stuffed,’’ one neighbour said.

“It’s a hideous over-development which is not sympathetic to any of the architecture in the suburb.’’

The neighbour, who has years of experience in the Brisbane construction sector, said neighbours including himself were aware there was a right to build up to three levels.

But he said even prolific local developer Cielo Group was knocked back by council, twice, after applying to build a four-level retail hub on the nearby Oxford St high street.

The proposed Regis facility would be the tallest building in the area.

“And yet this is right next door to low density, two-storey homes and a golf course,’’ he said.

“If it wasn’t for my property and a neighbour’s directly (abutting) the site, they could have gone to six levels.’’

In 2018 council changed the zoning of a number of care facility sites in Brisbane to CF7, allowing the taller building heights.

His wife, a real estate agent, was able to find only one other such zoning in the city where four to six levels was allowed.

He said neighbours were recently invited by Regis, by appointment rather than as a group, to inspect the proposed designs.

Render of the proposed Regis facility.

“We asked them to at least use green or brown tones to blend in but they are going with concrete and ’60s blonde brick, which apparently is back in fashion,’’ he said.

“We have no problem with it being redeveloped. In fact, we would love that because it is so old there is no airconditioning and noise from dementia patients when they open the windows has been a problem.

“Most of us bought our existing homes knowing a DA (development application) for a three level facility was in place, so we feel completely betrayed by council.

“Regis is cutting the size from 153 beds to 118 and charging $1.3m to $1.5m each — there’s less care over four levels than there is now over two.’’

He estimated it could stand to make more than $100m in profit.

He conceded there had been some small concessions to setbacks, but homeowners in Bulimba Pde and Coutts St still feared occupants would be able to look into their backyards and their views would be blocked.

Aerial view of the existing facility.

Regis said on its website that the new facility was desperately needed as the current building had been in use for half a century.

It would include a cafe, deck, library, cinema, lounge areas, dining room, activity spaces and specialised dementia wing.

The height allowed for more open space, landscaping, and 48 on-site car parks, which exceeded council requirements.

“The design response has been carefully considered to enhance integration with the existing streetscape and neighbourhood character,’’ it said.

“Setbacks to neighbouring properties along Bulimba Pde, Brisbane St and Coutts St will be retained or increased.

“The new home will have a single access point from Brisbane St, with the existing access from Coutts St removed to reduce traffic impacts.

“A drop-off zone and turnaround area will also be provided.’’

How the existing streetscape looks.

Regis said the existing building no longer provided “an optimal environment’’ for aged care.

“The redevelopment ensures Regis can continue providing high quality care that meets modern standards and the needs of Brisbane’s ageing population into the future,’’ it said.

Regis’ website said pre-demolition and early site works would begin soon, even though council has yet to approve the plans. The existing facility has already closed.

Construction would begin next year and be completed in 2027.

The works, from 6.30am-6.30pm, Monday to Saturday, would take about two years including two months of demolition work.

To help screen units from neighbours, extra landscaping would be planted near the eastern and northern wings and mature trees along the golf course boundary would be retained.

Originally published as Anger at plans for riverside suburb’s tallest building in luxe street