STATE UPHOLDS COUNCIL’S YUNGABA DECISION

Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas has upheld Brisbane City Council’s decision to allow the redevelopment of the State heritage-listed Yungaba Immigration Depot at Kangaroo Point.

Mr Lucas said this application was approved by Brisbane City Council in June and then appealed in the Planning and Environment Court.

“Brisbane City Council undertook a rigorous assessment before approving this application to not only restore and adapt the historic Yungaba building, but also build a new home at the site for community groups,” said Mr Lucas.

“I have taken independent, expert planning advice from Wolter Consulting Group which supports the Council’s decision on town planning grounds.

“I have accepted this advice but have gone further on the question of cultural heritage, backing Brisbane City Council’s original conditions.

“The process of breathing new life into this grand old building has been dragging on since April 2005 and there was a prospect it could spend another 18 months in the Planning and Environment Court before a decision could be made.

“The decision to call-in this development application allowed me to use the Integrated Development Assessment System (IDAS) to reassess the application and make a final, binding decision in a much shorter timeframe.

“Walter Consulting Group found the site is well situated for high density housing and the development meets relevant codes and environmental goals, offers community benefits and does not unreasonably impact upon surrounding properties.”

The development includes the restoration and and adaption of the historic Yungaba building, along with construction of a new multicultural centre and a trio of eight-storey apartment blocks on the site.

“A revitalised Yungaba site will breath new life into Kangaroo Point, by creating high density residential living near the CBD and existing public transport such as buses and ferries,” said Mr Lucas.

“The proposed multicultural centre will be in a new, seperate building providing community groups with a dedicated home, offering facilities such as a 200-seat auditorium, kitchen, and offices and conference rooms.

“It will commemorate the role Yungaba and immigrants played in Brisbane’s history.

“The consultants found that new multicultural centre building would allow for the social significance of the community, which has strong associations with the place, to continue on the site.

“Importantly though this development also maintains the historical and cultural character of this site by restoring and preserving the Yungaba building and its surrounding gardens for future generations.

The application to Council was approved by the EPA’s Queensland Heritage Council subject to a number of conditions.

Yungaba was constructed in 1887 and used as a reception centre for immigrants, as a wartime hospital, to house bush children and as the supervisory offices during construction of the Story Bridge.

It was the first building on the State-listed Heritage register.

Media contact: Robert Hoge 0419 757868 or Matthew Klar 0437 435223