Premier backs plan to transform waterfront with towers and hundreds of venues
An ambitious plan to transform a large area of the South Brisbane coast has won the prime minister’s backing because the area is developing so quickly, despite residents’ concerns.
Developer Stockwell announced on Tuesday morning that it has acquired Paul’s Creamery (commonly referred to as the Parmalat site) on Montague Road from dairy company Lactalis.
It wants to build Olympic venues, a venue for the medal ceremonies for the 2032 Games, hundreds of food and beverage venues, apartment towers and public spaces on a large area in the suburb.
The factory, which will close in July, is one of the last inner-city industrial sites on the Brisbane River. Records of the sale were not yet final and the developer did not say how much it paid.
Former Olympic swimmers Mark and Tracy Stockwell are behind the business, which currently owns 108 Montague Road and now plans to redevelop the combined grounds.
The land falls within the priority development area declared by the state government in May.
Artist renderings released by the developer show a large pavilion and public space where medals will be awarded to athletes at the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Included are hundreds of new food, beverage and entertainment venues and numerous residential towers, as well as venues to host sport climbing and skateboarding events.
A “beer mile” is shown connecting South Brisbane to Suncorp Stadium.
“Our goal is to set up Brisbane for the next 100 years,” Mark Stockwell said in a statement.
“We want to build on the region’s strong foundations in culture and history.”
South Brisbane is one of the city’s fastest growing areas and major residential projects are under construction, including the tallest building outside the CBD.
But some residents complain that homes are being built too quickly for the infrastructure to handle it.
West End State School P&C president Vanessa Bertagnole said the area was overcrowded and a new school was already needed to accommodate existing development.
“We are already punching above our weight… we are facing overcrowding,” he said.
“With the amount of development already on the way, we are ready to climb and keep climbing.”
Asked on Tuesday whether he supported the plans and wanted to see the medal ceremony venue used at the Olympics, Prime Minister David Crisafulli said “very much so.”
“We’ve sent out a signal that we’re open for business and people are answering the call and it’s extremely exciting,” he said.
“I’m excited to see more plans to build more homes – after all, that’s what Queenslanders need and the Stockwells are Queensland legends.”
A development application has already been submitted for a tower at 108 Montague Road, with further plans for a build-to-rent building containing studios, one- and two-bedroom apartments.
