Bowen Hills planning changes set new standards

Published Saturday, 22 June, 2019 at 06:00 AM

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Cameron Dick

Future development in Bowen Hills will deliver housing diversity, high sustainability standards and generous communal spaces, following an update to the Priority Development Area’s (PDA) development scheme.

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick said the updated development scheme would guide future development of the 108-hectare inner city area.

“The original development scheme – now ten years old – has been updated to reflect contemporary planning policy, community expectations and market requirements,” Mr Dick said.

“New building heights have been established in some precincts to reflect existing approvals, and new standards of sustainability, communal space and housing diversity are also incorporated throughout the PDA.

“The scheme for the PDA provides for the long-term growth of around 23,000 new homes and one million square metres of commercial, retail and industrial floor space to facilitate business investment and create jobs.

“To support this growth, new walkways, cycleways and parks to promote active travel and healthy outdoor lifestyles will be incorporated into new development. These public spaces will be coupled with retail high streets, ground-level businesses and a lively entertainment district for residents and visitors to engage in work and leisure.

“New developments in the PDA will be required to achieve best practice sustainability accreditation and demonstrate industry-leading green initiatives including electric vehicle charging and better energy, water and waste management systems.”

Mr Dick said the development scheme responds to trends in the Australian property market.                                           

“ABS data tells us that in the greater Brisbane area up to 15.5 per cent of apartment dwellers are a family with a child or children.

“Under the revised Development Scheme, new residential developments will now provide 10 per cent of floor area with 3 or more-bedroom dwellings, providing choice for families who want to live close to jobs and public services including the new Fortitude Valley State Secondary College.

“Communal spaces up to 80 per cent of a new development’s site area will also be a requirement for all new residential development applications within the PDA so that residents have ready access to quality facilities and outdoor areas within their own buildings”, he said.

Member for McConnel Grace Grace said the development scheme appropriately manages new development and provides the community with certainty about what to expect for new development in their neighbourhood.

“In 2016, Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) engaged the community to share and shape the vision for development in Bowen Hills and in 2018 the community had their say on the proposed development scheme,” Ms Grace said.

“Forty-one submissions were received and after careful consideration of this feedback and with specialist advice, EDQ made refinements to the development scheme that has now been adopted to reflect community views.”

Mr Dick said the Bowen Hills PDA is an important part of the Queensland Government’s strategy to support population and employment growth and enhance the lifestyle offering of Brisbane.

“This area is half the size of the Brisbane CBD and these changes ensure future development will deliver housing diversity, achieve best practice sustainability standards and provide generous and high-quality communal spaces,” he said.

“The PDA provides opportunity for new development that can capitalise on significant public and private infrastructure investment in the area including the new Fortitude Valley State Secondary College, expanded health care services at the RBWH and the Herston Quarter redevelopment, the Cross River Rail at Exhibition Station and the planned Brisbane Metro.” 

For further details about the Bowen Hills PDA and to view the development scheme and submission report visit www.dsdmip.qld.gov.au/edq/bowen-hills-brisbane.html

ENDS

Media Contact:  Lesley Major 0419 288 284