Irvine Group's preliminary development application is in. Here's what it covers.
Irvine Group has lodged a preliminary development application with Brisbane City Council for the former Toombul Shopping Centre site this week.
The overall vision hasn't changed since Irvine Group shared it in May: a retail-led precinct, with the shopping centre delivered first. What's new is that the plans are now formally with Council.
The application doesn't cover the shopping centre itself. A separate, more detailed application for the retail centre is due early next year.
What's being put forward in the plan
On the masterplan, the retail centre sits in the middle of the site. The existing bus station on Sandgate Road stays. An arrival boulevard comes in off Sandgate Road, and a community green sits beside the shops. Parkland runs along Kedron Brook, with development sites along Grace Street and the Masefield and Widdop Street corner.
Later stages are expected to include food and entertainment, housing, parkland, public spaces, integrated public transport and better walking and cycling links.
Director and Chief Executive Officer Michael Irvine said retail was the priority.
‘We know people want to understand what comes next, and our priority is to bring back the shops, services, dining and public spaces the community wants to see,’ he said. ‘This application is an early but important first planning step.’
Flood mitigation
Parts of the site are proposed to be raised to around 6.5 metres above sea level, a similar height to Sandgate Road.
Irvine Group's flood assessment found the masterplan would substantially improve flood immunity compared with the former shopping centre, and avoid material adverse flood impacts on surrounding properties and Council land.
Mr Irvine said the works would provide about 7,000 cubic metres of extra flood storage in a modelled one-in-100-year flood, while the southern part of the site along Kedron Brook would keep storing and moving water during major weather events.
Traffic
Irvine Group's traffic assessments covered local and State-controlled roads and found no adverse impacts compared with the former shopping centre. The plan uses the site's existing street connections to spread traffic, with no east–west through-road between Sandgate Road and Widdop Street.
What's next?
If approved, early site preparations could begin: earthmoving, flood mitigation and improved drainage.
Irvine Group plans to submit a more detailed development application for the retail centre early next year. Each later stage will need its own application.
‘The next step is to keep progressing the retail centre, so people can see how Toombul can start coming back to life,’ Mr Irvine said.
Register for project updates at toombul.com.au.
Images: Artist impressions and masterplan, Irvine Group
