development application Archives

Albion Development Proposes 28-Storey Avela Tower At Breakfast Creek

An Albion development proposed for 60 Kingsford Smith Drive would rise to 28 storeys across three stepped tower forms, with 166 apartments above retail, hospitality and recreation uses.

Plans have been lodged for Avela on an approximately 2,433-square-metre site incorporating 60 Kingsford Smith Drive and 9–11 Amy Street, beside the Breakfast Creek Hotel.

Frank Developments is identified as the developer, while 60 KSD Pty Ltd ATF 60 KSD Property Trust is listed as the primary applicant. Town Planning Alliance is the consultant and Kennon designed the proposed building.

BCC lists 1 July 2026 as the submission date for development application A007058743. The application covers building work and a material change of use for multiple dwellings, a shop, a food and drink outlet, and indoor sport and recreation.

The impact-assessable application remains in progress and is listed as being with the customer.

Frank Developments — Photo Credit: DA/A007058743

Albion Development Seeks Height Above Neighbourhood Plan

Avela would comprise three tower elements that step down across the site. The tallest would reach 28 storeys at the main corner, followed by a 19-storey element to the east and a 17-storey section to the north.

At its highest point, the proposal would reach approximately 98 metres above ground, with a rooftop level of about RL 99.8.

The land has an acceptable height of 10 storeys under the Albion neighbourhood plan. The application seeks assessment through a performance-based approach for the proposed additional height.

The planning case refers to taller projects already approved along the surrounding corridor. These include the 28-storey Breakfast Creek Quarter, a 19-storey development at 92 Kingsford Smith Drive and a 17-storey development at 11 Sandgate Road.

Kingsford Smith Drive — Photo Credit: DA/A007058743

Apartment Mix Includes One Rooftop Penthouse

The 166 proposed apartments comprise 105 two-bedroom homes, 16 two-bedroom homes with multipurpose rooms and 44 three-bedroom residences.

One four-bedroom penthouse would occupy the upper section of the tallest tower and include a private rooftop garden on Level 26.

Single-loaded circulation is proposed to support natural airflow through the apartments. Lobbies and corridors would remain open to the outside rather than being enclosed and mechanically cooled.

Other passive design measures include building orientation, solar-responsive shading and deep western eaves intended to reduce reliance on mechanical cooling.

Landscaping would extend through ground-level planting, podium planters and rooftop gardens on Levels 16, 18 and 26. The plans identify approximately 2,571 square metres of deep planting, planters and landscaped areas, including 343 square metres of deep planting at ground level.

Albion development — Photo Credit: DA/A007058743

Public Pickleball Court Planned Within Podium

The publicly accessible podium would contain a 290-square-metre retail tenancy intended for a boutique grocer and a 74-square-metre café facing Amy Street.

A 437-square-metre indoor pickleball court on Level 1 would be available to both residents and the public.

About 1,945 square metres of communal recreation space is proposed across Levels 1, 16 and 18. The Level 1 facilities would include a gym, yoga room, sauna, spa, cold plunge, hydrotherapy pool, therapy rooms and resident co-working space.

North-facing terraces on Levels 16 and 18 would each provide a swimming pool, pool lounge, outdoor seating and landscaping.

Access Consolidated Through Amy Street

One vehicle crossover on Amy Street would replace four existing crossovers across the three combined properties.

Parking would be provided through a ground-level area and four basement levels, with 226 resident spaces and 26 visitor spaces. The proposal also includes four motorcycle spaces and 108 bicycle spaces.

New 1.8-metre footpaths are planned along all street frontages. The site is near the Lores Bonney Riverwalk, Yowoggera Green Bridge and the future Golden Glider bus service along Kingsford Smith Drive.

Four lifts would serve the building. Three would operate within the main residential core, including one combined passenger and loading lift, while another would serve the northern lobby.

Dates for public notification and a council decision have not been listed. Properly made submissions may be lodged during the formal public notification period once it begins.

Published 14-July-2026

Mixed-Use Development Approved for Racecourse Road Amid Local Discussion

Racecourse Road has long been one of Hamilton’s most recognisable main streets, known for its mix of cafés, shops and services and its role as a local meeting place. It is also an area where proposed change often attracts close attention, and a recently approved mixed-use development has become a topic of ongoing discussion within the community.

Read: The Gallery to Revive Racecourse Road with Design-led Living and Retail Spaces

The project is proposed for 63–71 Racecourse Road and 12 Balowrie Street, Hamilton, occupying a site that links the suburb’s commercial strip with surrounding residential streets. The development application (A006790991) has been approved by Brisbane’s local officials, allowing for a building that combines retail, food and residential uses.

Plans lodged with council outline a mid-rise mixed-use development intended to refresh this section of Racecourse Road. At street level, the proposal includes eight commercial tenancies with a combined floor area of approximately 1,380 sqm. These tenancies are planned to front both Racecourse Road and Kent Street, with the aim of maintaining an active and engaged streetscape.

Above the commercial component, three residential levels would deliver a total of 37 apartments. The mix includes nine two-bedroom and 28 three-bedroom dwellings, reflecting a focus on larger apartment layouts rather than smaller studio or one-bedroom units.

Design material released with the application indicates a strong emphasis on pedestrian movement and street engagement. A central laneway-style pedestrian connection is proposed to run through the site, linking Racecourse Road to Kent Street. Architectural features such as landscaped edges, deep verandahs and layered façades are intended to moderate the building’s scale and respond to the area’s subtropical streetscape character.

For residents, the development proposes shared facilities including a rooftop communal area of around 800 square metres. Planned amenities include a swimming pool, outdoor gym, yoga lawn and barbecue areas, providing communal spaces above street level. Parking is provided through a combination of basement and ground-level spaces, with 177 car parks and 47 bicycle spaces outlined in the application.

Community discussion continues

63–71 Racecourse Road (Photo credit: Google Street View)

While the approval process did not involve public notification, discussion within the local community has been active. Residents have been sharing views about the proposal through neighbourhood conversations and social media groups, reflecting a range of perspectives on the development.

Some community members see the project as a positive step for Racecourse Road, particularly at a time when many suburban shopping strips are adapting to changing retail conditions. Supporters have suggested that additional housing in close proximity to shops and services may help support local businesses and encourage a more consistent level of activity throughout the day and evening.

Others have expressed unease about how development of this scale may alter the character of Racecourse Road. Informal concerns raised online have included issues such as construction disruption, parking pressure and the cumulative effect of ongoing development along the strip. These views reflect broader conversations occurring across many established suburbs as higher-density projects are introduced into areas with long-standing local identities.

Despite differing opinions, the proposal did not receive formal public submissions during the assessment process. This is because the application was classified as a code assessable development under the Brisbane City Plan. Code assessable developments are those anticipated within the planning framework for a site and are assessed against set criteria. They do not require public notification or a public submissions period.

From a planning perspective, proponents of the development point to its assessment against existing planning controls and its emphasis on active street frontages, rather than blank walls or inactive edges. They argue that mid-rise mixed-use buildings can play a role in accommodating housing demand while supporting walkable neighbourhood centres with a mix of residential and commercial uses.

Read: Redevelopment Aims to Preserve Heritage of Paddock and Members Stands at Eagle Farm Racecourse

The contrast between the formal planning pathway and the level of informal community discussion highlights a familiar tension in suburbs like Hamilton. While planning schemes provide guidance about what forms of development are permissible, residents often experience change through its day-to-day impacts on movement, amenity and the visual character of their street.

With approval now in place, attention will turn to construction timing and how the project is delivered. For Racecourse Road, the development represents another phase in an ongoing evolution, continuing conversations about growth, character and the future direction of one of Brisbane’s best-known suburban precincts.

Published 18-December-2025

Hendra Residents ‘Priced Out’ of Legal Fight Against McDonald’s

Photo Credit: DA A006543699

A Hendra community group has been forced to abandon its legal challenge against a new McDonald’s drive-through on Nudgee Rd, stating the overwhelming cost of a court battle against the multinational corporation made their fight impossible to continue.

Community Abandons Appeal

The group, Hendra Locals Against McDonald’s (HLAM), recently dropped its Planning and Environment Court appeal over the restaurant proposed for 330 Nudgee Rd.

A spokesman for the group, Bill Moore, said it should not be up to local “mums and dads” to find money for expensive legal battles during an affordability crisis. He expressed frustration that residents had to withdraw their appeal in August after lodging it in March, simply because they ran out of money.

Mr Moore suggested the case shows the need for an independent planning tribunal, similar to one used in Sydney. He argued that local councils often lack the financial and human resources to fight large corporations and that new exclusion zones are needed to protect communities.

‘Unrealistic’ Traffic Claims at Centre of Dispute

The residents’ core concern centred on traffic safety, specifically the risk of cars queuing on Gerler Rd and backing up onto the busy Nudgee Rd intersection.

The developer’s application included a traffic report claiming the drive-through would be highly efficient, assuming an average service time of just 25 seconds per vehicle. This, the report claimed, would allow for 144 vehicles an hour and prevent queuing, noting the site has space for 13 cars.

However, Mr Moore challenged this figure as unrealistic. He said he timed patrons at the nearby Albion McDonald’s during an evening peak period and found the actual time from ordering to exiting was closer to 2.5 minutes. He noted that US studies put average wait times at four minutes.

The article noted that the developer’s traffic report conceded the data was “provided by the client” and was based on a desktop investigation conducted in January of last year.

Council Approved Scaled-Down Plan

The council approved the project in January despite receiving 436 formal objections from the community. Residents believe this decision set a dangerous precedent, fearing it could allow more fast-food outlets to be built in residential zones.

According to town planners for the site’s owner, the 2120-square-metre property had been used for non-residential businesses, such as a car rental storage area, since the 1960s.

The developer’s initial proposal in July 2022 was for a full-scale restaurant. After meetings with the council, the owner agreed to scale back the project. The approved plan is for a drive-through-only facility on one lot, which is about 65 per cent of the standard restaurant size, and has all vehicle access limited to Gerler Rd.

Published Date 30-October-2025

Last Undeveloped Site in Hendra Earmarked for Major Housing Project

Photo Credit: DA A006638252

A significant development proposal has been submitted that could dramatically alter Hendra’s landscape. The application focuses on a substantial site on Raceview Avenue, with plans for a large-scale residential project.

The proposal outlines plans for a 5.578 hectare site to be subdivided into 69 residential lots, accompanied by new roads, a substantial park, and a dedicated drainage area.

This project, designed by Wolter Consulting Group, aims to establish a new residential community seamlessly integrating with the existing neighbourhood. The proposed lots will vary in size, ranging from 400 to 708 square metres, catering to various housing needs. The development will connect to the established road network, ensuring easy access for future residents.

Existing structures on the site will be removed to make way for the new subdivision. Importantly, the plan also addresses environmental considerations. A drainage reserve along the site’s eastern edge, adjacent to the Southern Cross Way, will link with existing drainage corridors leading to Kedron Brook. This measure aims to manage water flow and mitigate potential flooding risks.

Wolter Consulting Group highlights that the project aligns with the area’s Emerging Community Zone designation. This zoning aims to guide the transition of non-urban land to urban purposes while ensuring compatibility with the surrounding environment. The developers believe this project achieves that goal by providing much-needed housing while dedicating a significant portion of the land to public green space and drainage.

This development application signals a new chapter for Hendra, potentially bringing a significant influx of new residents to the area. The proposal now awaits review and approval from the relevant authorities.

Published Date 01-November-2024

Albion Reaches New Heights with Proposed Twin Tower Development

Photo Credit: DA A006619616

A striking new development featuring twin 20-storey towers is set to redefine Albion’s skyline. Proposed for 60-78 Hudson Road, the mixed-use project will bring 456 new apartments to the suburb, along with a Woolworths supermarket, commercial office space, and an additional retail tenancy at ground and plaza levels.

Designed by Cottee Parker Architects, the development will feature a shared podium level for the towers and an elevated pedestrian link seamlessly integrated with the upgraded Albion train station. This connection aims to enhance accessibility and encourage public transport use.

The proposed development boasts a range of amenities for residents and the wider community. A plaza level will offer green space, landscaping, a swimming pool, a gym, and a wellness centre. Rooftop spaces atop the towers will provide seating and dining areas with impressive views.

To address parking needs, the development will include four basement levels with 463 car spaces—263 allocated for residents and 200 for retail use. Vehicle access will be conveniently located off Albion Road.

The project is underpinned by a Preliminary Approval for Material Change of Use granted in 2015, which allows for various uses on the site, including residential and commercial activities. Planners at Plan A Town Planning have emphasised the development’s alignment with the intent of the District Centre Zone, highlighting its potential to stimulate economic activity and cater to the growing population in the surrounding area.

Sustainability is a key focus, and the design incorporates climate-responsive elements to minimise environmental impact. The development also prioritises pedestrian movement, with a publicly accessible ground plane designed to encourage walkability.

With its significant residential component, retail offerings, and integrated transport connections, the proposed development has the potential to significantly enhance Albion’s urban fabric and provide a vibrant hub for residents and visitors alike.

Published Date 03-October-2024