The draft strategy for the future of
Chermside Centre
August 2010
Have your say about the future of Chermside Centre
South East Queensland is expected to grow from 2.8 million to 4.4 million people over the next 20
years. By 2031, we need to find space for an extra 156,000 new homes.
Neighbourhood planning is about balancing growth while protecting the quality of life that we love.
Since launching the neighbourhood planning process for Chermside Centre, Council has been
actively working with the community to develop a vision for the area and a framework for
managing population growth so that it is more economically, socially and environmentally
sustainable.
The information in this strategy outlines a proposed plan for Chermside Centre. It is important you
read this, ask for more information if you need it and respond. We want to know what you think
and we want to ensure that you have your say about the future of your neighbourhood.
Your feedback will be considered when we prepare the draft Chermside Centre Neighbourhood
Plan. The draft plan will be sent to the Queensland Government for review. You will have another
opportunity to comment before the plan becomes a legal document, guiding development in
Chermside Centre for the next 10 years.
Why Chermside Centre?
The Chermside Centre area:
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is situated approximately 10 kilometres north of Brisbane’s CBD
is located along a major transport route
is the fastest growing centre in Brisbane’s northern suburbs
is home to the Westfield Chermside Shopping Centre and Prince Charles Hospital
has a large open space network
has a number of community facilities such as the Chermside library and pool.
The Queensland Government’s South East Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 identifies
Chermside as a “Principal Regional Activity Centre”. This means the area has city-wide and
regional significance and will need to accommodate substantial residential and employment
growth over the next 20 years.
Vision
“In 2026 Chermside will be a regionally significant, thriving centre that celebrates its distinctive
identity, history and subtropical character, while embracing growth and the opportunities it
provides, and fostering a healthy community.”
Council worked closely with the Community Planning Team (CPT) early in the process to develop
a Vision for Chermside Centre that reflected the community’s ideas about managing growth and
ensuring Chermside Centre is a sustainable, vibrant and prosperous regional centre.
The Chermside Centre Vision was guided by the outcomes of the Living in Brisbane 2026 vision
document with eight themes.
For more information on the vision for Chermside Centre visit
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/neighbourhoodplanning.
The Northern Busway
The Northern Busway is a Queensland Government initiative.
Chermside is a hub in the Queensland Government’s northern Brisbane bus network.
This strategy was written based on Brisbane City Council’s preferred busway station locations
along the Gympie Road corridor. It will need to be revised once the Queensland Government
release the final locations of the busway stations.
Local road access may also need to be amended based on the Northern Busway alignment and
station locations.
For more information on the Northern Busway visit www.northernbusway.qld.gov.au or call 1800
289 210.
Working together to develop a strategy for Chermside Centre
Council has engaged with the community over several years to develop the Chermside Centre
Neighbourhood Plan project.
Over the last year, Council has spoken with the local community in a master planning workshop,
at shopping centres, on local streets and at public workshops. We have held a business forum
and worked closely with a CPT made up of local residents, business and community organisation
representatives.
We have also had regular meetings with the Queensland Government’s Department of Transport
and Main Roads to seek information about the Northern Busway project.
Council considered the results of technical studies, expert advice, feedback from the local
community and businesses, and the potential growth of the area when preparing this strategy for
Chermside Centre.
Intent of this strategy
The draft Chermside Centre Neighbourhood Plan Strategy focuses on supporting further retail,
commercial and residential development close to the existing centre activities and the proposed
future Northern Busway stations.
This strategy has the least impact on the local community by concentrating potential development
between Westfield Chermside Shopping Centre, Prince Charles Hospital and along Gympie
Road. It is also how Council will balance the need for growth while maintaining the community’s
existing lifestyle.
The majority of the proposed development is in areas that are currently designated as medium
and high density in the Brisbane City Plan 2000.
This strategy proposes a number of precincts:
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Chermside Central Precinct
Residential North Precinct
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o Wheller Gardens Sub-Precinct
Residential South Precinct
Community Use & Sport Precincts
Hospital Precinct
Investigation Precinct.
Draft Chermside Centre Neighbourhood Plan Strategy
AUGUST 2010
Chermside Central Precinct
This precinct is the primary economic and employment hub in the northern region of Brisbane.
The Chermside Central Precinct will continue to grow and provide mixed use development –
commercial, residential and retail – with building heights of 12-15 storeys.
This precinct will expand the existing multi-purpose centre and link the two major employers –
Westfield Chermside Shopping Centre and Prince Charles Hospital.
The mix of uses in this precinct will provide the appeal and level of activity essential to create a
continuously accessible, vibrant place with attributes that attract new businesses and residents.
High density multi-unit dwellings are encouraged in the precinct to take advantage of the frequent
public transport services and the proposed Northern Busway.
The proposed Northern Busway station will be an important link between residential areas and
the Chermside Central Precinct. Convenience retail, commercial offices and community facilities
will be encouraged around the station to serve commuters, employees and residents living near
the busy transit node.
Buildings will be stepped back from the edge of the road to prevent them from over shadowing
the street and will include quality landscaping.
This will keep the streets attractive for pedestrians and shoppers. These mixed use buildings will
be in the style of a ‘podium’, which means they have a wide platform base at street level and up
to a few storeys, with the high rise tower set back from the edge (refer to diagram). The ground
floor areas will contain retail shops, showrooms, cafés, restaurants, and extended hours services
such as medical centres and gyms to encourage pedestrian activity. A mix of office and
residential uses are suitable for the upper storeys.
Development in this precinct will include wide footpaths and streetscaping.
Image below: Example of podium building design.
Image below: Artist’s impression showing how activity at ground level will create a centre feel.
The below illustration shows how a growth precinct may look as higher density development is
established next to low or medium density development. The light blue represents development
that can happen under the current zoning - no changes proposed. The dark blue and yellow
represents proposed zoning changes as per the map.
John Patterson Park, between Kidston Terrace and Norman Drive may be upgraded and
extended as it has a valuable role in providing open space and recreation opportunities for
surrounding high density development. The park will be a key landmark and link the Hospital
Precinct with the commercial and retail activities in the original centre core.
Cross-block links and a new road may be created to improve and allow more direct access for
pedestrians and motorists through the precinct to services and public transport. Increasing
pedestrian access via cross-block links will create opportunities for smaller commercial, service
and retail businesses and create more activity on the street.
The proposed cross-block link from Thomas Street will strengthen east-west access through the
precinct and across the Gympie Road Corridor.
An open, green space for current and future residents and workers is proposed in the mixed use
development area on the eastern side of the precinct linking with Thomas Street.
Below image: Artist’s impression of higher density mixed use development centred on John
Patterson Park, and looking beyond to the Hospital Precinct.
The Westfield Shopping Centre area will set an example as an 18 hour a day, 7 days a week
activity centre. It will remain a key destination for shopping and entertainment facilities,
restaurants and other food outlets. Improved pedestrian access across the site will support this
high level of activity and encourage shopping centre patrons to walk, cycle or use public
transport.
Investigations into improving the safety of pedestrian crossings and road access will be
undertaken to support the growing population.
Gympie Road is expected to evolve and support a variety of transport modes into the future. One
option that Brisbane City Council will petition the Queensland Government for is to change the
Hamilton Road and Gympie Road intersection, for example, by tunnelling under Hamilton Road
for Gympie Road traffic to pass through. A public plaza could be created above to liven up the
retail and commercial areas and improve pedestrian and cyclist access.
The potential enhancement and development of the Gympie Road corridor is subject to the
Queensland Government’s investigations into transport options for the corridor.
Residential North Precinct
This precinct is ideal for high density residential development (8-12 storeys) because it will be
located near the proposed future Northern Busway stations, community and government services
and medical facilities.
To support this development, high quality public streetscapes and an extension to the existing
cycle path is proposed.
Key worker* housing and short term accommodation will also be encouraged in this precinct to
support nearby hospital activities and services. This will become more important as the Hospital
Precinct develops.
*Key workers are essential workers that we rely on every day to provide important services in our
local community, such as nurses, teachers, police officers, fire-fighters and ambulance officers.
Key worker housing means providing the opportunity for accommodation that is affordable for key
workers who want to live and work in Chermside Centre.
Wheller Gardens Sub-Precinct
Higher density aged-care facilities, retirement housing and special needs accommodation of 8-10
storeys will be encouraged in this sub-precinct so the area continues to provide residential
accommodation for senior Brisbane residents.
This reflects the outcomes of the Lord Mayor’s Taskforce into Retirement and Aged Care.
Services to support the community will also be encouraged in this sub-precinct.
Parklands along Downfall Creek corridor provide important recreational opportunities for
residents. Pedestrian paths that connect nearby services, facilities and residential premises to the
open space network will be provided as development occurs.
New development must preserve heritage values in the southern part of this sub-precinct.
Residential South Precinct
This precinct is a residential area that will consolidate medium density unit development up to 4-6
storeys to satisfy a range of worker, family and senior residents’ needs.
Good quality building design and form will provide a variety of building styles that will step down
to minimise the impact on adjoining residential properties (refer to diagram).
Development may be enhanced through footpath widening, pedestrian crossing facilities, deep
planting and lighting upgrades.
There is a great opportunity for this precinct to also provide key worker and short-term
accommodation to support the nearby hospital activities and services.
There is an opportunity to enhance Sammells Drive to create a key pedestrian link and improve
access between the Community Use and Sport Precinct, mixed use centre and major
employment areas.
Below image: Example of stepped down building heights.
Community Use and Sport Precincts
These precincts are highly valued as community spaces and sport and recreation assets for the
city. The Community Use and Sport Precincts will be retained and upgraded to service the
recreation, sporting and social needs of existing and future residents in Chermside Centre and
surrounding areas.
To improve access to these areas for residents and visitors to Chermside Centre, these precincts
will be well connected to public transport, road and pedestrian and cycle networks. Streetscaping
and shaded pathways will improve walking and cycling to these precincts.
Parks will incorporate existing heritage sites.
Redevelopment and upgrades in these precincts will manage the impacts of community sport and
recreation activities on nearby residential areas.
Proposed Northern Busway Station
Commercial office, convenience retail and a community hub will be encouraged next to the
proposed Northern Busway Station to provide key services and facilities for commuters, residents
and workers.
There is an opportunity for an open space plaza and new community facilities and services (e.g.
meeting spaces and function rooms) due to the central location and ease of access to this
precinct.
The public space will be ideal for people to move around for most hours of the day providing a
safe environment for people accessing public transport and moving through the area.
Existing community hub at Kedron Wavell
This precinct includes the Kedron Wavell Services Club, the Aquatic Centre, hockey fields and
the Chermside Library.
Redevelopment will expand on the existing indoor and outdoor facilities and services to provide a
wider range of activities for the community. This may include additional sporting facilities, public
meeting spaces and expansion of the library.
Development will also enhance cycle and pedestrian access and safety between Downfall Creek,
Hamilton Road and this precinct.
Bradbury Park
Bradbury Park will continue to be an important community asset for sport and recreation activities
for local residents and visitors to the area.
The park will be retained and upgraded to increase use of the precinct and to better serve the
recreation and sporting needs of the local and regional community. Council will investigate
options to reduce the impacts of lighting and traffic.
Investigations into improving the safety of crossings on Rode Road to Bradbury Park will be
undertaken to enhance pedestrian and cycle access to the community, sport and recreation
facilities in this area.
Hospital Precinct
This precinct is a regionally significant Queensland Government medical facility serving northern
Brisbane. It provides specialist and general medical services and a range of research and
support functions.
Development projects within this precinct will be consistent with an endorsed Queensland
Government development plan and may include health-related services and facilities to support
the community.
Vehicle access to the precinct will be limited to a number of dedicated entry points. Access from
local roads is recommended to be phased out during redevelopment of the hospital.
As this precinct develops there may be opportunities for health related industries south of Rode
Road.
Development in this precinct should retain the native vegetation in the Beneke Bush, a locally
significant landscape and habitat feature.
Investigation Precinct
Development in this precinct is subject to the outcomes of the Gympie Road corridor investigation
projects being undertaken by the Queensland Government.
Land uses in this precinct are currently mixed and include medium scale offices and residential
development, light industry and vehicle sales yards. Shops and restaurants are not located in this
precinct.
Development is appropriately buffered from adjoining low density residential areas and parklands
and includes appropriate treatments to mitigate the noise impacts of Gympie Road.
Access points to Gympie Road will be reduced where sites are reconfigured or redeveloped.
Where to from here?
Council is holding ‘Get to know your draft Neighbourhood Plan Strategy’ community drop-in
sessions where you can find out more about the draft strategy for the Chermside Centre.
These sessions are an opportunity for individuals to discuss the draft strategy one-on-one with
planners.
Get to know your draft Neighbourhood Plan Strategy session details:
Date: Wednesday 25 August 2010
Venue: Chermside Bowls Club, 468 Rode Road, Chermside
Times: 2–4pm OR 6–8pm
RSVP: Tuesday 24 August 2010 to Council on (07) 3403 8698
Let us know your views
If you would like to comment on the draft strategy for Chermside Centre, you can send details of
your thoughts in writing. We would like to hear what you do and don’t like about the draft strategy
for Chermside Centre.
Your comments must be received by close of business Friday 3 September 2010.
If you would like to comment on the draft strategy, you can:
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send an email to [email protected]
attend one of the ‘Get to know your draft Neighbourhood Plan Strategy’ community dropin sessions on Wednesday 25 August 2010 to talk one-on-one with planners and record
your comments
Write to:
Neighbourhood Planning (Chermside Centre)
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane QLD 4001
Finalising the draft plan
Council will collate and review all the comments received and consider these when drafting the
neighbourhood plan.
The draft plan will be sent to the Queensland Government for comment. The local community will
then have an opportunity to make formal submissions on the draft plan when it is publicly
advertised. This is expected to occur in early 2011.
The submissions made by the community at the public notification stage will be reviewed and
considered when the second draft of the plan is prepared and again submitted to the Queensland
Government for approval. Once approved by the Queensland Government, the plan will be
formally adopted by Council and included in the City Plan as a legal document that guides
development in Chermside Centre for the next ten years.
For more information
The fastest way to access further information is at
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/neighbourhoodplanning or by contacting the neighbourhood planning
team on (07) 3403 8888.