Coorparoo and Districts Neighbourhood
Plan
Community Planning Team
Meeting notes
Meeting 1 - 25 November 2015
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Notes from Coorparoo and Districts Neighbourhood Plan Community
Planning Team (CPT) Meeting 1
Meeting details
Date:
Wednesday 25 November 2015
Time:
6pm
Location:
Easts Leagues Club, Coorparoo
Attendees
Community planning team members:
Ailsa, Alan, Amila, Andrea, Andrew, Angela, Cameron, Catherine, Chris, Christine, Christopher,
Deb, Dorothea, Irene, Jack, Jayne, John, Karen, Lynette, Melanie, Michael, Patricia, Peter, Robert,
Samantha, Sarah, Tim and Wayne.
Council Officers:
Kerry Doss (Manager, City Planning and Economic Development), Peta Harwood (Operations
Manager, City Planning and Economic Development), Travis Frew (Project Manager), Laurelle
Muir (meeting facilitator and Community Engagement Centre of Excellence Manager), Alex
Hodgson, Anna Stathis, Georgia Pilkington, Jan Logan, Kat Guerrero, Maris Salazar, Nathan
Bambling and Shilo Quinnell (table facilitators and scribes), Dianne Parsons (registration), and
James Cole (note taker).
Elected Representatives and other Observers:
Councillor Ian McKenzie, Councillor for the Ward of Holland Park; and Gemma Long, Policy
Advisor to Councillor Amanda Cooper, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Planning and Development
Assessment Committee.
Apologies:
Councillor Amanda Cooper, Chairman of the Neighbourhood Planning and Development
Assessment Committee.
Agenda
1. Registration and refreshments
2. Welcome and introductions
3. Activity #1 – Getting to know each other
4. What is neighbourhood planning?
5. The Coorparoo and Districts Neighbourhood Plan
6. Community survey
7. Working together as a CPT
8. Activity #2 – Your local knowledge
9. Next steps
10. Questions
11. Thank you, summary and close
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Welcome and introductions
Laurelle Muir (Community Engagement Manager) acknowledged the traditional owners of the
meeting place and the project area, and welcomed everybody to the first Community Planning
Team (CPT) meeting for the Coorparoo and Districts Neighbourhood Plan (CDNP).
Thanks were offered to those who had already completed the online community survey. The
purpose of the first CPT meeting was to build on those comments and improve Council’s
understanding of the local area and key issues. The survey remains open for further input until 30
March 2016.
In thanking everyone for giving up their time to contribute, Laurelle introduced Councillor Ian
McKenzie and the Council team who will manage the planning process and assist to guide the
meeting. Travis Frew is a Senior Urban Planner and Project Manager for the CDNP.
Laurelle advised that this was the first of four CPT meetings to be convened over the next six
months, with each meeting adopting a particular theme or focus for discussions, while also
allowing community members to offer input on all aspects of the neighbourhood planning process
for the Coorparoo and Districts area.
Before introducing the evening’s first activity, Laurelle provided an overview of the meeting agenda
and encouraged all CPT members to have their say. Members were also reminded to sign and
return their copies of the CPT Terms of Reference and Photography Release Form.
Activity #1: Getting to know each other
CPT members participated in an introductory activity, during which they split into pairs to share
their backgrounds and discuss their personal interests in and connection to the Coorparoo and
Districts area. Members also compared notes about the ‘one thing’ that they love about the local
area.
Members then took turns introducing their ‘interview partner’ to the CPT. This activity affirmed the
diversity of the CPT members, who have varying backgrounds and different interests in the
Coorparoo and Districts area.
Neighbourhood Planning Brisbane – Getting to know us
Kerry Doss (Manager, City Planning and Economic Development) thanked everyone for taking a
genuine interest in their community and for nominating to contribute to the CPT. He then took
members through a description of the way in which planning is managed, with the South East
Queensland Regional Plan 2009-2031 (SEQ Regional Plan) growth targets set to 2031, citywide
outcomes driven by Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan), and the future shape of local areas
influenced by the neighbourhood planning process. The neighbourhood plan is the instrument
through which Council facilitates the delivery of planning aspirations ‘on the ground’, with many
different sectors and agencies contributing to those outcomes.
Factsheets were provided for CPT members covering general planning information as well as
particular insights into City Plan and how it works.
Kerry then noted that City Plan sets out where growth in Brisbane should occur, with the
Coorparoo and Districts area sure to play an appropriate role in accommodating some of the
290,000 new jobs expected to be created over the life of the SEQ Regional Plan. Residents,
businesses and landowners previously advised Council of a strong preference for growth in
Brisbane to occur in a series of strategic nodes and along major transport spines and key
corridors, resulting in the development of Brisbane’s ‘CityShape’.
One of the important corridors, and a significant influence on the CDNP, is the Logan Road
corridor, which connects centres and other major roads in the transport network. This corridor
includes three future growth nodes at Greenslopes, Greenslopes Mall and Holland Park. Kerry
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noted that the plan area for Coorparoo and Districts sits mostly in the Suburban Living Area, which
City Plan sees as containing a variety of land uses, although residential uses are predominant.
Kerry explained that the first step in the process, the development of a Neighbourhood Plan
Strategy, will establish a non-statutory planning document, tailored to the local context, and will set
the overarching framework, including a vision and strategies, to guide the community’s input and
the development of the statutory neighbourhood plan. Kerry then explained that neighbourhood
plans are statutory documents that ultimately form part of City Plan and are aimed at facilitating
economic prosperity, protecting character, identifying development areas and providing for open
space. The content of a neighbourhood plan complements and expands on the details in City Plan
through locally specific planning provisions.
Kerry then spoke about the limits of what a neighbourhood plan can influence and directly impact
on, and also pointed out the areas which a neighbourhood plan cannot affect. Those were as
follows.
A neighbourhood plan can:
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plan where growth will go
set out what type of development is permitted (including appropriate land uses, building
heights and lot sizes)
set standards for new development
retain and protect character
coordinate infrastructure improvements.
A neighbourhood plan cannot:
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make development happen
prohibit development
force existing development to change or move
control Queensland or Australian Government development
stop people or appropriate industries moving to the area.
Kerry pointed out that, in the context of citywide planning, each neighbourhood planning project is
a unique and distinct exercise in ensuring that the local community’s views are taken into account.
The Coorparoo and Districts Neighbourhood Plan
Travis Frew (Senior Urban Planner and Project Manager) provided an introduction to the CDNP
area, explaining that the plan boundary is based on natural edges, with the South East Freeway to
the south-west, the border of the existing Eastern Corridor NP to the north, Boundary Road to the
east and Holland Road to the south-east. Travis then highlighted some of the key features of the
area, in particular:
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large centres at Greenslopes, Greenslopes Mall and Holland Park
local centres including shops at Martha Street and Cavendish Road
existing Suburban Centre Improvement Projects at Holland Park and Greenslopes
a key employment generator and service provider in the Greenslopes Private Hospital.
Travis displayed a map of the area, highlighting the local corridors, nodes and important landmarks
and features, including:
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hilly terrain that can present challenges for accessibility
significant roads carrying large volumes of private vehicles and public transport
the opportunity for cyclists to use Veloway 1 for recreation and commuting
a strong public park network, notably along Norman Creek and others such as CB Mott
Park that provide a community hub function
highly valued areas of character housing of different forms.
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Travis then spoke about the existing neighbourhood plans in and near the area, noting that the
Holland Park–Tarragindi District NP, which contains approximately half of the CDNP area, dates
back to 2003 and needs to be updated to reflect the current policy framework and the views of the
local community. The adjoining Eastern Corridor NP was established in 2011 and the Mt Gravatt
Corridor NP is also a significant adjoining plan area.
Travis explained that, in developing the CDNP, Council holds no pre-determined outcomes for the
Coorparoo and Districts area other than to accommodate appropriate growth in a way that retains
and enhances the local community.
Coorparoo and Districts Neighbourhood Plan process and timelines
Travis advised that the project is currently in the background research phase, which will continue
into the middle of 2016. Input, ideas and feedback from the CPT will be important contributions to
this phase, along with wider public consultation, and research and reports from technical experts.
Based on Council’s current understanding of the area’s key issues, the project aims to work with
the community and key stakeholders to:
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identify residential and employment opportunities around local centres
improve access to public transport and enhance pedestrian and cycle linkages
enhance the vibrancy of centres through improved building design and streetscapes
provide for new dwellings while continuing to protect valued character housing.
As a first step in the process, some broad themes have been drafted (see Activity 2) and Council is
seeking feedback from the CPT throughout the neighbourhood planning process.
It is expected that by mid-2016 the input from the CPT and the broader community will assist
Council to produce a Neighbourhood Plan Strategy that will articulate a ‘Vision’ for the area as a
prompt to inform further discussions about aspirations for the Coorparoo and Districts area.
Following consultation, including input from the CPT, the statutory CDNP is expected to be drafted
by late 2016/mid-2017. The statutory CDNP will focus on including only locally specific provisions
in City Plan. Subject to the necessary approvals, including endorsement by the Queensland
Government, the neighbourhood plan is proposed to be adopted by late 2017.
The online survey will remain open until 30 March 2016 to ensure that all interested people have
an opportunity to have their say.
Travis then briefly outlined the community age profile for the CDNP area, which revealed:
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a total population of 25,000
an annual population growth rate of 1.5%, with the Brisbane Local Government Area (LGA)
rate standing at 1.9%
a 7% lower proportion of families than across the Brisbane LGA
a high student population in the Greenslopes area
an ageing population, with an increasing number of people aged 65 and over.
Online community survey and working together as a CPT
Travis described the online survey and its purpose, to assist Council to understand the views and
aspirations of the local community. He advised that to date 217 responses have been submitted,
with the aspects most commonly valued being:
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character houses (masonry housing and ‘timber and tin’ housing both highly valued)
proximity to public transport
proximity to parks
local shops
hillside character
access/proximity to the city
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friendly and safe area
leafy and green suburbs.
The survey has also revealed respondents’ views of the aspects that could be improved, notably:
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getting around the area, with traffic, congestion, public transport access, footpaths and
traffic calming all identified
housing, including character protection and managing density
protection and enhancement of green space and streetscapes.
Laurelle then explained the role of CPT members and the Council through the process, including
the proposal to conduct CPT meetings in a collaborative and open manner, encouraging
contributions from all participants.
Laurelle explained that each meeting will typically involve a brief recap of previous discussions, an
update on progress with the project, and provision of some new or detailed information for
consideration. Council is committed to ensuring that the majority of the meeting time is devoted to
discussions, suggestions, ideas gathering, and feedback from the CPT members. To that end,
members agreed on a set of overarching principles or ‘rules of engagement’ to guide their
discussions and deliberations. These will be worked up into a formal statement to be considered by
the CPT at the next meeting. In summary, these were:
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respect for others’ points of view
each opinion counts
one speaker at a time
a fair share of time for speakers.
Notes from all CPT meetings will be distributed to members and published on Council’s website so
that all CPT members can keep abreast of the matters being discussed across the plan area. CPT
members are also encouraged to put forward any suggestions (by phone or email) for improving
the way in which meetings are conducted.
Laurelle briefly described the expectations of all CPT members in making their contributions, and
she also described the commitment of Council officers in what they will do at meetings and beyond
those formal gatherings. It was important to note that while Council places great emphasis on the
community’s views, Council will be the final decision maker for the content of the neighbourhood
plan.
Activity #2: Your local knowledge
During this activity, CPT members took part in facilitated discussions to describe and detail their
aspirations and ideas for the Coorparoo and Districts area. 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 notes.
For this activity, each table was allocated one of the following four themes, with participants visiting
each table in rotation.
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Getting around – accessibility and connectivity
Local centres – where people visit and why
Housing choice – what type and where
Open and public spaces – where people visit and why
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At the end of the activity, each table facilitator described the significant issues, aspirations,
concerns or ideas to emerge from their discussions, and these are summarised as follows (detailed
summaries of input provided at the end of these notes).
Table 1 – Getting around (Maris and Alex):
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Public transport frequency, especially to access hospital and local centres
Pedestrian access to bus stops and stations
Table 2 – Local centres (Jan and Georgia):
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Smaller centres such as Martha Street are highly valued, with their good mixture of high
quality shops, cleanliness, and location away from major roads yet close to parks, making
them excellent for local use
Table 3 – Housing choice (Shilo and Kat):
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Important to manage the extent and location of increased density
Congestion must be addressed
Protect the character of local areas away from those areas where development is flagged to
occur
Table 4 – Open and public spaces (Anna and Nathan):
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Stormwater infrastructure must include upgrades that increase safety
Consider converting under-utilised green spaces into community gardens
Next steps and meeting conclusion
Travis indicated that there will be four CPT meetings to guide the process, as follows.
CPT Meeting 1 (25 November 2015) to:
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introduce the CPT process and the neighbourhood plan process
gather local knowledge and ideas about the Coorparoo and Districts area.
CPT Meeting 2 (10 February 2016) to:
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consider character and heritage issues.
CPT Meeting 3 (13 April 2016) to:
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consider issues that emerge from research and community feedback (to be identified as the
work continues).
CPT Meeting 4 (4 May 2016) to:
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consider further issues (to be confirmed).
Further background research and investigations will continue, and results of some of that work are
expected to be available when the CPT reconvenes in February 2016. This will enable a more
detailed look at issues of importance to the local area.
To further assist CPT members, an opportunity will be provided for one-on-one discussions with
Council’s planners for 30 minutes prior to each CPT meeting. CPT members are invited to use
those discussions to clarify any issues or to seek additional detailed information.
Laurelle thanked all present for their enthusiasm and commitment to the night’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.
Kerry closed the meeting by thanking all for respecting Council staff and the CPT process and for
contributing in a truly collaborative manner.
The meeting closed at 8.35pm.
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Further contact:
Phone:
3403 8888
Email:
[email protected]
Web:
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search for ‘Coorparoo and Districts Neighbourhood Plan’
Minutes checked/approved
Checked:
SK
Approved:
MCR
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APPENDIX A
CPT workshop activity feedback: Local knowledge of Coorparoo and Districts (observations and
input from CPT workshop activities, transcribed from notes and written comments on maps)
Table 1 – Getting around (Maris and Alex):
Notes:
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Issues with getting around the plan area were
discussed including:
- that Latimer Street doesn’t go all the way
through to Logan Road
- accessibility issues when crossing main
roads such as Old Cleveland Road
- bottle necks with right turns onto Old
Cleveland Road
- need to align pedestrian crossings with
bus stops
- issues with parking including that people
can’t see when cars are parked on the
roadside and traffic banks up, and that
parking at the hospital should be
improved
- traffic that should be on major roads
diverts onto local streets creating more
traffic
- bottlenecks on Cavendish Road
- intersection issues including at Logan and
Chatsworth roads (at the IGA)
- bikeways, including some feedback that
the bikeway needs upgrading and that the
connections to the bikeway could be
better
- issues with footpaths.
Table 2 – Local centres (Jan and Georgia):
Notes:
 Centres/localities discussed included Martha
Street shops, the IGA on Chatsworth Road,
Greenslopes Mall on Logan Road, Rock &
Roll Bakery on Logan Road, Cavendish Road
shops, bikeway and park area (near the
motorway) including the soccer field and
Greenslopes Bowls Club, Greenslopes
Hospital, Holland Park Hotel on Logan Road,
Spanish Church (a fundraising, community
group), Mt Carmel Church on Cavendish
Road, the Wood Turners’ Association, Camp
Hill shops and medical centre, Eva Street
shops, Majestic Park and CB Mott Park.
 A number of centres/localities in areas
adjoining the plan boundary were also
discussed. These included Stones Corner,
Carindale, Garden City, Buranda, Samuel
Village and Whites Hill Reserve.
Table 3 – Housing choice (Shilo and Kat):
Notes:
 Issues discussed included potential zone
changes, having high density in the right
locations including near nodes and along
major corridors such as the Logan Road
corridor, protecting ‘timber and tin’ and
masonry housing particularly in intact areas,
issues arising out of unit developments
including traffic issues (parking on streets,
increased volumes of cars causing safety
issues, etc.), non-compliance with City Plan
provisions (building heights, setbacks,
provision for car parking, etc.) being a
problem.
 Design considerations were also discussed
including subtropical climate, adequate back
yards, and having a ‘theme’ for consistency in
design.
Table 4 – Open and public spaces (Anna and Nathan):
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Notes:
 Suggested improvements for open and public
spaces in the area included the need for
better signage and lights at Bowies Flat
Wetlands (Camp Hill), upgrading Joe Foster
Park (Camp Hill), lights on Fisher Street,
installation of BBQs in parks, and
improvements to footpaths and nature strips.
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Other comments included a lack of swimming
pools in the area, more community gardens
(including footpath gardens and edible
gardens) needed, differing views about dog
parks, and that a mix of small and large parks
was supported.
Trees in the area were discussed. Street
trees were supported as giving the area
character and the need to protect trees was
raised.
Whites Hill Reserve (adjoining the plan
boundary) was also discussed.
CB Mott Park, Bowies Flat Wetlands and
Majestic Park were discussed as examples of
well-used parks for events, playgrounds,
sports, etc.
Issues with Thompson Reserve were raised
including drainage and stormwater.