New development wave washes over West End

PROPERTY NEWS

City Council was expected to give the green light to a new mixed use development in West End as this issue of The Independent went to press. Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment Chair Amanda Cooper said The Wave to be built at 321 Montague Road West End would go to council after committee approval on Tuesday (August 17).

The developer initially lodged an application with the Brisbane City Council for a maximum of 10 storeys. The development application was approved by council, but challenged in the Planning and Environment court by local residents. Due to the site’s proximity to the CBD and ability to absorb growth, the court found in favour of the developer and approved the 10 storey height.
The Wave developer then lodged a subsequent development application based on the intent of the draft South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan, which would allow 12 storeys in the area. Cr Amanda Cooper said the committee's support for the DA was a win for commonsense.
“The site is a derelict former gasworks facility that is crying out for redevelopment,” Cr Cooper said. “Its proximity to the city, public transport, schools and other social infrastructure make it ideal for redevelopment.
“It’s disused industrial sites like these that hold the key to accommodating growth in Brisbane while protecting the valuable tin and timber areas.” Cr Cooper said council was obligated to find 156,000 new dwellings under the State Government’s South East Queensland Regional Plan.
“We understand that we have a responsibility to provide for growth, and we believe the best way to do that is to put higher density living into old industrial areas close to the city,” Cr Cooper said.
“That way we can protect the leafy tin and timber suburbs and lifestyle Brisbane residents have come to love.”
She said Labor councillors had voted against the development in committee, despite voting in favour of increased heights and densities in the South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan in May 2008 and supporting a massive 40 storeys in nearby Woolloongabba and 30 storeys at Milton.