More homes proposed for entertainment precinct in 'tall over sprawl' plan

Thousands of new homes proposed for Brisbane's entertainment precinct in 'tall over sprawl' strategy In short: The Brisbane City Council has announced a plan to increase building height limits in Fortitude Valley in a bid to increase "tall over sprawl" housing. Height limits would be increased from 30 to 40 storeys at certain sites and entertainment precinct rules and noise limits strengthened under the proposed plan. What's next? A community consultation process will take place from November 13 to December 18, with the final plan expected in 2027. Brisbane's entertainment precinct could see building height limits increased and the development of thousands of new homes as part of the council's "tall over sprawl" strategy. The Fortitude Valley Sustainable Growth Precinct Plan proposes increasing height limits from 30 to 40 storeys at sites between St Pauls Terrace, Brookes Street, along Ann Street and around Cathedral Place. On the edge of the precinct, height limits would transition to 30 storeys and lower. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said while entertainment precinct rules and noise protections would be strengthened, the council aimed to protect the nightlife and live music scene. "We've made sure that any new building takes into account the fact that people will be moving into that kind of precinct that's an entertainment precinct, so buildings will need to be built in a way that protects people from noise impacts, that's part of our strict requirement," he said. "We think two things can coexist really well in the Valley if it's done well and designed well, and that's what we're focused on." The office of Queensland nightlife economy commissioner John Collins has been contacted for comment. The final plan is expected in 2027, with a period of community consultation from November 13 to December 18. Fortitude Valley is the latest suburb targeted in the "tall over sprawl" strategy, with suburban centres Indooroopilly, Carindale and Nundah earlier earmarked for height increases. Limited locations around the Indooroopilly and Carindale shopping centres will see an increase to 25 storeys, while height limits near the Nundah village and train station will increase to 15 storeys. Those changes will go into effect from December 11. 'Tombstone architecture' Emeritus Professor Brian Roberts, who is also a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia said the "tall over sprawl" strategy is "tombstone architecture". "Monuments, that are not aesthetically pleasing nor do they ensure the city functions in the most effective way," he said. "40 storeys in the valley, is far too high, it is not the scale of Brisbane." Mr Roberts is a global expert in "managing cities", having worked for the World Bank and the United Nations, and is currently writing a report on the "Future of Asian Cities" for the United Nations. He said what Brisbane is turning into is "not urban living" but "disjointed, incremental development". "And there is literature that shows once you start building over six to seven floors, there are a lot of psychological requirements that need to be looked at as well," he said. "As you go higher, there is much higher incidence of loneliness for example and all those things that go against well being, which you get when living in well planned areas with good amenities." Brisbane Residents United spokeswoman Elizabeth Handley urged the council and government to focus on social housing rather than high-rise apartments. "No matter which way you stretch it and no matter how many storeys you keep adding on top of them, there is — and particularly with this government — no affordable housing component," Ms Handley said. Ms Handley said the city's character was at risk if similar plans kept moving forward. "I think it's so important that we have these areas in our city where they are slightly creative and they're a little bit grungy," she said. "If all you see in planning is the dollar signs, all the things that actually make a city liveable fall away."