Newstead North Neighbourhood Plan
Community Planning Team meeting notes
Meeting no 1 – 29 October 2015
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Notes from Newstead North Community Planning Team Meeting One
Meeting details
Date:
Thursday 29 October 2015
Time:
6:00pm to 8:00pm
Location:
The Danish Association, 36 Austin Street, Newstead
Attendees
Community planning team members:
Nick, Bill, Georgina, Peter, Lynn, David, Jo, Peter, Alistair, Soren, Hollie, Peter, Brad, Scott,
Michaela, Peter, Mark, Cameron, Simon.
Council Officers and Consultants:
Claire Lawson (project lead), Alex Lawton (project manager), Mark Case (meeting facilitator),
Rebecca Arnaud (Urban Renewal Manager), Anna Jensen, David Eustace, Erin Chalk, Nicholas
Stevenson, Helen Robson, Madonna Locke, Malcolm Aikman, Leisa Woodhouse (note taker).
Observers:
Cr David McLachlan (Chairman of the Field Services Committee and Hamilton Ward Councillor),
Cr Vicki Howard (Deputy Chairman, Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment
Committee and Central Ward Councillor), Gemma Long and Robert Lamberth.
Apologies:
Cr Amanda Cooper (Chairman Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment
Committee), Catherin Bull (Brisbane City Council Independent Design Advisory Panel
representative), Liane, Monique, Simon, Alan, Cheryl, Rebecca, Nick.
Agenda
1. Welcome and Purpose of Meeting
2. Overview of Urban Renewal Brisbane and Planning Framework
3. Newstead North Neighbourhood Plan Project and Milestones
4. Role of the Community Planning Team (CPT)
5. Activity #1 – Getting to Know You
6. Overview of the Newstead North Area
7. Activity #2 – Issues and Opportunities
8. Wrap-Up and Explanation of Next Steps
9. Meeting Close
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Welcome and purpose of meeting
Mark acknowledged the traditional owners of the meeting place, and welcomed everybody to this
first Community Planning Team (CPT) meeting for the Newstead North Renewal Strategy.
Mark thanked everyone for giving up their time to contribute and for also providing comments
through the online survey. Mark welcomed the local councillors for the area, and introduced the
Council team that will be managing the planning process and assisting to guide this evening’s
activities.
Mark further advised that Council would be photographing the session for use in publications and
noted that participants have signed a permission form or otherwise advised that they do not wish to
be photographed.
An overview of the agenda was then presented to CPT members.
Mark then introduced Claire who explained that as members of the CPT, you bring a unique set of
memories, experience and knowledge that will help set the future planning agenda for the area that
Council are referring to as Newstead North.
Overview of Urban Renewal Brisbane and planning framework
Claire continued by advising CPT members that Urban Renewal Brisbane (URB) (previously
named the Urban Renewal Task Force) was formed in 1991 with the remit of renewing the inner
north-eastern suburbs of Fortitude Valley, Bowen Hills, Newstead, Teneriffe and New Farm. URB
consists of a group of planners who are passionate about Brisbane and delivering positive change
in the CBD and inner city.
In the early 90’s URB helped transform derelict industrial buildings in the inner north-eastern
suburbs of Brisbane into the vibrant, mixed use communities they are today.
URB has more recently been involved in preparing the City Centre Master Plan, with the aim of
revitalising the CBD through land use changes and also through implementing projects such as the
Edward Street upgrade.
The River’s Edge Strategy has also been prepared by URB to improve public recreation and
tourism access to the inner city reaches of the Brisbane River.
All of the work being done by URB fits within a set planning framework and delivers on the
population growth objectives set by the Queensland Government through the South East Regional
Plan. Council has a planning scheme known as Brisbane City Plan 2014 (CP2014). Within CP2014
are neighbourhood plans which are locally specific planning provisions.
The first step towards a neighbourhood plan is to produce a renewal strategy (non-statutory
document), of which CPT members will be involved in developing this strategy.
Newstead North Neighbourhood Plan project and milestones
Alex explained that the project aims are to update the planning requirements to facilitate growth
and provide development certainty while retaining the characteristics that make Newstead North
unique. A key component to this process is the opportunity for community and stakeholder input.
The project is currently in the background research and community consultation phase. By mid2016, it is anticipated that the draft renewal strategy will be released for public feedback. The draft
neighbourhood plan will be due for release and public feedback late 2016, with adoption of the
neighbourhood plan scheduled for mid-2017.
Continuing, Alex explained briefly to CPT members what the project can influence within Newstead
North and what is out of scope due to factors that the project is unable to influence.
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The role of the Community Planning Team (CPT)
The role of CPT members and the Council through the process was explained, as was the
proposal to conduct CPT meetings in a collaborative and open manner, encouraging contributions
from all participants. Notes from all CPT meetings will be distributed to members and will be
published on the website.
Alex indicated that there will be three CPT meetings to guide the process, as follows:
CPT Meeting 1 (tonight) to:
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Introduce the CPT process and the renewal strategy;
Gather local knowledge and ideas about the area; and
Gain an understanding of the issues and opportunities within the area.
CPT Meeting 2 (early 2016) to:
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Further develop some of the ideas and strategies for the area.
CPT Meeting 3 (mid-2016) to:
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Present the draft renewal strategy; and
Seek feedback to guide the neighbourhood plan.
Activity #1: Getting to know you
CPT members completed a brief introductory activity, in which they wrote and shared their
backgrounds and discussed their personal interests in, and connection to, the Newstead North
area.
Using a pie chart, members also shared their views about the areas and subjects of most interest
to them in contemplating the future of Newstead North.
Overview of the Newstead North area
Alex explained the extent of the area to be covered by the Newstead North project and identified
that there is development continuing in adjoining areas. It was also noted that the area is a key link
for accessing other locations. Significant characteristics of the area include:
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A strategically located inner-city precinct located along a major arterial corridor;
Prominent historical landmarks eg. Newstead House;
Parks that service the area eg. Newstead Park; and
Breakfast Creek and Brisbane River frontage.
Alex further mentioned that the community profile for the area was similar to that of a number of
inner-city areas of Brisbane with a high proportion of young professionals. Alex then advised that
the online community survey received 160 responses and revealed the following most liked
features about the area:
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Recreational opportunities;
Dining, cafes and bars;
Proximity to the CBD; and
Historical aspects.
The survey also revealed that car, walking, bus and cycling were the preferred mode of transport
for people travelling to and from the area.
Key themes for the area that came out of the survey included:
 Residential growth and pressure from development nearby in Bowen Hills and its attractive
location for residential living;
 Emerging cafes, restaurants, bars and creative arts contributing to the area’s appeal;
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Issues regarding on-street parking;
Traffic, transport and connectivity;
Retaining parks and public realm;
Heritage and community values; and
Managing flooding impacts.
Activity #2: Issues and opportunities
During this activity, CPT members took part in facilitated discussions to describe and detail their
likes, dislikes/issues and improvements/opportunities for Newstead North.
Members provided their input via drawings and notations on the plans provided as well as through
written notes and discussions. A summary of the issues raised and suggestions provided is
included at Appendix A to these minutes.
At the end of the activity, a representative of each table presented the top three likes, top three
dislikes/issues and any ideas for improvements/opportunities from their discussions, and these are
summarised as follows:
Table 1:
Likes:
 Riverfront and green landscape;
 Evolving mixed use; and
 “Invisible heritage” in the Bowen Hills area.
Dislikes:
 Car parking;
 Traffic on Breakfast Creek Road – longer routes are taken to avoid; and
 Restrictive hours for cafes – catering only to workers.
Improvements:
 Improved access to Breakfast Creek Road;
 Potential redevelopment of Breakfast Creek Wharf; and
 Ross Street – after hours restaurant precinct.
Table 2:
Likes:
 Green areas like Newstead Park – need to preserve and promote;
 General connections from Brisbane River to the CBD; and
 Wide streets – opportunities for unique development.
Dislikes:
 Parking;
 Access to and from Bowen Hills train station; and
 Poor pedestrian amenity along Breakfast Creek Road.
Improvements:
 Access to and from Bowen Hills train station;
 Pedestrian connections between Bowen Hills, Newstead Park and other industrial areas –
main roads are isolating these areas; and
 Plant more trees to provide a Boulevard effect along Breakfast Creek Road.
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Table 3:
Likes:
 Open space well patronised;
 Increased growth over the last two years – diverse use of land; and
 Heritage and character.
Dislikes:
 Traffic, local parking and cycle point networks;
 Younger families moving in but limited facilities to accommodate them; and
 Public transport limitations and access.
Improvements:
 Review parking, loading zones etc. particularly between Alfred and Waterloo Streets;
 Plant more street trees; and
 Maintain scale as development increases.
Table 4:
Likes:
 The river and the recreational opportunities;
 Mixed use – low and scaled to the area; and
 Green areas in nearby Bowen Hills.
Dislikes:
 Parking (near Eagers in particular);
 Access to and from Bowen Hills train station; and
 Larger scale developments.
Improvements:
 Access from Bowen Hills train station to the study area;
 Continue with low-rise mixed use; and
 Visual heights and a boat shed.
Next steps and meeting conclusion
Alex briefly reminded all CPT members of the next steps in the planning process as mentioned
earlier.
Mark then thanked all present for their enthusiasm and commitment to tonight’s activities, and
advised that all information provided during the meeting will now be collated and used as valuable
input as the next stages are progressed.
Notes from the meeting will be made available on the website in the near future and CPT members
will be advised accordingly. Additional input and comment is welcome at any time and should be
directed to the Urban Renewal Brisbane Team on the contact details below.
The meeting closed at 7.45pm.
Further Contact
Phone:
Alex Lawton on 3403 8888
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/newsteadnorth
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Observations and input from CPT workshop activities, transcribed from notes and written comments on maps.
APPENDIX A
CPT workshop activity feedback: Issues and opportunities
Table 1:
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Likes
 Waterfront and greenery within the area.
 Access to the CityCat and ferry services.
 Access to CityGlider bus services.
 Breakfast Creek Wharf/Ross Street area
doesn’t contain residential development.
 Industry/car dealerships provide a buffer
between Breakfast Creek Road and
residential areas.
 Finding “hidden” and interesting things in
Newstead.
 Evolving as a mixed use area.
 Bowen Hill – views form the top, opportunity
for running hills and the “invisible” heritage.
 The cafes in Byres Street.
 Virgin Airlines employees feel relatively safe
in the area. Office operates 24 hours.
Dislikes
 Breakfast Creek Road - Noise and traffic
delays, people take slightly longer routes to
avoid and the streetscape is unattractive.
Walking route from station to the business is
undesirable, particularly along Abbotsford
Road.
Biting midges close to Breakfast Creek.
Very difficult to access car parking in the
area.
Bowen Hill is steep and not walkable.
Retaining wall along Breakfast Creek Road
is unsightly.
Cafes have limited opening hours. Should
cater for residents as well as day workers.
Thompson Street access from Inner-city by
pass is poor quality.
Improvements/Opportunities
 Introduce a CityCat stop along Breakfast
Creek.
 Continue public access along Breakfast
Creek frontage.
 Breakfast Creek Wharf is an iconic
destination – has riverfront roof top views
down the river, could be a special use.
 Opportunity for Bunnings site to improve
Breakfast Creek Road streetscape.
 Ross Street waterfront restaurant precinct.
 Integrated uses/mix uses to create “new
world city”.
 Development potential on western side of
Breakfast Creek Road adjacent Eagers site.
 Improvements to Newstead Park to create
greater use.
Observations and input from CPT workshop activities, transcribed from notes and written comments on maps.
Table 2:
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Likes
 The “greenery” in the area including
Newstead Park.
 Riverfront amenity.
 Connection to the river.
 Iconic buildings - Newstead House,
Breakfast Creek Hotel etc.
 Wide streets - opportunity for good interface
to the street, e.g. terrace housing.
 Pedestrian generally feel safe walking along
Newstead Terrace.
 Heritage.
Dislikes
 Parking.
 Unsuitable access to Bowen Hills station.
 Old degraded building stock.
 Interface between Breakfast Creek Road
and the surrounds.
 Limited pedestrian links between streets.
Improvements/Opportunities
 Connect West End to Newstead via light
rail.
 Improve pedestrian links.
 Encourage boutique uses.
Breakfast Creek Wharf redevelopment is a
huge opportunity to create a gateway to
Brisbane.
More street trees to create a comfortable
environment.
Encourage commercial, hotel and retail
uses to bring life into the area especially
along Breakfast Creek Road if the “big box”
uses were to relocate elsewhere.
Need to unlock/improve connections the
western part of Newstead North.
All support increasing residential densities
in the area.
Street trees along Breakfast Creek Road.
Pedestrian bridge from Kingsford Smith
Drive to Newstead Park.
Observations and input from CPT workshop activities, transcribed from notes and written comments on maps.
Table 3:
Improvements/Opportunities
 Perry Park and Newstead Park are
underutilised and can do more for the
community.
 Introduce short term parking zones and/or
commercial loading zones between Halford
Street through to Waterloo Street.
 More street trees.
 As development occurs maintain local
neighbourhood scale and character.
 Keep heritage buildings.
Likes
 Riverside open space.
 Newstead Park is a landmark site.
 Recent growth encourages a diversity/mix
of people and land uses and encourages
local businesses in the area.
 Reuse of heritage and character buildings.
 Wide streets along Austin, Evelyn and Maud
Streets.
Dislikes
 Traffic impacts as a result of increased
growth in the area.
 Local parking problems - difficult to find a
park on the street during business hours.
 Cycling conflict points along river frontage
and Newstead Park.
 No school in the study area.
 Public transport services are relatively
inaccessible and located on the edge of the
study area.
Observations and input from CPT workshop activities, transcribed from notes and written comments on maps.
Table 4:
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Likes
 The river and recreation opportunities.
 Our Lady of Victories Church at the top of
Bowen Hill – the architecture, the site, the
history, the stories.
 The car yards – low-rise.
 The “motorbike guys”.
 The new/pop-up cafés on the back streets.
 The proximity to the cafes and breweries in
Newstead.
 The way heights are scaled down towards
the north.
 That you can walk everywhere.
 The river and being so close to the river.
 The trees, green space and environment.
 The mixed uses in the area.
 The Gordon, Byers and Crawford Street
area.
Dislikes
 Modern developments in Bowen Hills.
 No access/limited access to the river for
recreation (paddling etc.).
 Contemporary architecture along the river.
Developments exceeding heights and scales
for the area.
Parking.
People who park in the area to get to the
CBD or Fortitude Valley.
The alley out of the Bowen Hills train station.
Access from the Bowen Hills train station to
Breakfast Creek Road.
Improvements/Opportunities
 Breakfast Creek Wharf area.
 A boat shed or access to the river – could be
incorporated into a development.
 More cafes/restaurants in the area.
 Not increasing heights.
 Visual corridors – Our Lady of Victories
Church, Newstead House etc.
 Pedestrian underpass (Breakfast Creek
Road and Folkstone Street).
 Better pedestrian crossings across Breakfast
Creek Road.
 Better access from the Bowen Hills train
station to Breakfast Creek Road etc.
 Mixed use – retail, residential, low-mixed
use, car yards – on Breakfast Creek Road.
 The riverside apartments should be the
maximum height for new development.
 Perry Park – underutilised.
 A pocket park near Ross Street/Breakfast
Creek.
 Green space connections between existing
parks and the river.
 Maud Street as a connector.
Breakfast Creek – mangroves, access and
boat ramp/pontoon.