Taller Buildings Planned for South Brisbane’s Kurilpa Precinct

South Brisbane’s Kurilpa precinct is set to become Brisbane’s most sustainable community, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has announced.

Cr Schrinner said new residential buildings built above existing height limits will need to be greener, brighter, and more energy efficient and deliver community benefits.

“Brisbane is the fastest growing capital city in Australia so we have to deliver new homes while also protecting the character of our suburbs and the lifestyle our residents love,” he said.

“The Brisbane’s Sustainable Growth Strategy, which we released in March, achieves that by allowing CBD-style heights in the Kurilpa precinct, an area that already has incredible access to public infrastructure and amenities.

“We are now proposing to take this a step further by requiring residential buildings that exceed existing height limits meet higher requirements of sustainability and deliver benefit to the wider community.

“That means our strategy won’t just help create more than 10,000 homes in this area, it will create a community of Brisbane’s most sustainable buildings, liveable neighbourhoods and new public destinations.

“This is a win for housing, a win for our environment and a win for the liveability of Brisbane.”

Under the Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct Plan, residential building above existing heights will be required to:

• Meet the Green Building Council of Australia’s 5-star Green Star rating category.
• Incorporate greater greenery through the introduction of a higher green plot ratio.
• Ensure more expansive green space, public realms, open spaces and pedestrian plazas so all residents will receive benefits.
• Invest in public art and creative lighting.

The plan will also require taller buildings to incorporate other community benefits elements such as public facilities, accessibility improvements and housing diversity and affordability models, including build-to-rent and agreements with community housing providers.

Cr Schrinner said the requirements under the plan will ensure the Kurilpa precinct becomes an inviting destination for visitors and residents across Brisbane.

“More public realms, like those incorporated into West Village, as well as public facilities and art will make the Kurilpa precinct not just a great place to live but a fantastic destination for everyone to visit,” he said.

“The steps we’re taking today to require building standards on new residential towers set a new benchmark that will help Brisbane become cleaner, greener and more sustainable in the future.”

The Kurilpa Sustainable Growth Precinct Plan will become part of the existing City Plan. A temporary local planning instrument (TLPI) will go to full Council for support on next Tuesday to make sure any new applications lodged for taller buildings in the Kurilpa precinct meets green design and community benefit standards.

Cr Schrinner said he wanted Brisbane to join the ranks of other major cities around the world like Singapore and Toronto that champion sustainable design requirements.

“Better designed buildings delivers a better Brisbane for everyone,” he said.

“Cities like Singapore and Toronto have high standards for green sustainable buildings, and this is an opportunity for Brisbane to do the same in this area.

“A greener city is not only environmentally friendly, but it’s attractive.

“In the future, homes in the Kurilpa precinct will become some one of Brisbane’s most sough-after neighbourhoods properties as people will want to live in well-designed green buildings within the heart of our city.

“By adding this new layer to our strategy to deliver new housing we are ensuring it’s delivered in a thought-out and environmentally sustainable way.”