Urban Renewal Brisbane| City Planning & Economic Development
City Planning & Sustainability | BRISBANE CITY COUNCIL

City West Renewal Strategy

Community Planning Team meeting notes

Meeting no 1 - 19 March 2015

Notes from City West Community Planning Team Meeting One

Meeting details

Date: Thursday 19 March 2015

Time: 5:30pm to 7:30pm

Location: Suncorp Stadium PCYC

Attendees

Community planning team members:

Anna, Ben, Byron, Diarmid, Elizabeth, Genevieve, Joseph, Joshua, Kerry, Larry, Leisa, Lisa, Lyle, Margaret, Paje, Robert, Robyn, Steve, Susannah and Tamasine.

Council Officers and Consultants:

David Cowan (project manager), Shannon Lord (meeting facilitator), Liz Sanders, David Eustace, Rebecca Arnaud, Cameron Perkins, Christie Kahukiwa, Rosemary Shields (table facilitators), James Cole (note taker).

Apologies:

Otto, Nichola, Sarosh, Terrence, Cr Amanda Cooper (Chairman, Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment Committee) and Cr Peter Matic (Toowong Ward Councillor).

Agenda

  1. Welcome
  2. Role of the Community Planning Team
  3. Explanation of Renewal Strategy process
  4. Activity #1 – Getting to Know You
  5. Draft Vision for City West
  6. Activity #2 – Local Knowledge
  7. Wrap-Up and Explanation of Next Steps
  8. Meeting Close

Welcome & overview

Shannon acknowledged the traditional owners of the meeting place, and welcomed everybody to this first Community Planning Team meeting for the City West Renewal Strategy (CWRS).

In thanking everyone for giving up their time to contribute, Shannon introduced the Council team that will be managing the planning process and assisting to guide this evening’s activities.

The role of the Community Planning Team (CPT)

Shannon advised that Council was very pleased to receive a high level of interest from the local community in contributing to the Renewal Strategy. She indicated that the input from the CPT will be considered along with a range of other contributions including technical studies and broader community consultation.

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. CPT members are also encouraged to put forward any suggestions for improving the way in which meetings are conducted.

The City West area and previous planning in City West

David explained the extent of the 50ha area to be covered by the City West project, highlighting significant landmarks including:

·  Petrie Terrace;

·  Suncorp Stadium;

·  Victoria Barracks;

·  The Normanby Hotel;

·  Caxton Street; and

·  Neal Macrossan Park.

David pointed out that the existing local plan is based on planning work undertaken 30 years ago, and the Renewal Strategy process must consider significant new challenges such as:

·  Population growth and increased development pressure;

·  Increased traffic, transport and pedestrian demands;

·  The area’s greater role in events and entertainment; and

·  Changing household types.

The neighbourhood planning process

David explained that completion of the CWRS will fill a gap in the wider area’s planning, with surrounding areas having previously been the subject of neighbourhood plans.

David then advised that once formally adopted, the CWRS will form part of City Plan 2014 (CP2014), which provides citywide parameters for all planning. In turn, CP2014 will implement the requirements of the statutory SEQ Regional Plan, a State Government instrument. Another key influence on planning for City West is the recently-adopted City Centre Master Plan, which plans for the CBD and also acknowledges the importance of inner-city fringe locations and identifies City West as a key inner-city location.

David pointed out that the first stage of the process will be the production of a Renewal Strategy that will articulate a plan and vision for City West’s future, and will form the framework for managing future development. The Renewal Strategy will form the basis of the statutory Neighbourhood Plan, which will be complemented by infrastructure planning and identification of implementation projects.

David then spoke about the limits to what a neighbourhood plan can influence and directly impact on changes, and also pointed out the areas which a neighbourhood plan cannot affect.

The City West Renewal Strategy purpose

David indicated that the central project aim is to guide future development and promote economic and cultural activity in the local area, including:

·  A high standard of design for buildings and public spaces;

·  Protection of areas of character and heritage value, while identifying opportunities for new development;

·  Enhancement of the precinct’s role as an events and entertainment destination; and

·  Improvement of pedestrian and cycle access to the city centre and the surrounding suburbs.

The planning process and timelines

David advised that background research commenced late in 2014 in conjunction with Place, whose representatives are present to assist in tonight’s discussions. This work has resulted in the draft Vision which is to be released today as a prompt to start discussions about aspirations for City West.

Following consultation, including input from the CPT, the City West Renewal Strategy is expected to be ready by July 2015, with the statutory City West Neighbourhood Plan to follow late in 2015. Subject to the necessary approvals, the neighbourhood plan is proposed to be adopted by early 2016.

David indicated that there will be three CPT meetings to guide the process, as follows:

CPT Meeting 1 (tonight) to:

·  Introduce the CPT process and the renewal strategy;

·  Gather local knowledge and ideas about the area; and

·  Present the City West Vision and seek feedback.

CPT Meeting 2 (May) to:

·  Investigate transport and development options; and

·  Investigate transformative sites.

CPT Meeting 3 (July) to:

·  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 City West area.

Members also shared their views about the areas and subjects of most interest to them in contemplating the future of the City West area.

The City West Vision

David briefly described some of the key characteristics of City West, noting the area’s proximity to the CBD and river, as well as several high-profile and popular destinations. David also highlighted that the area is surrounded by major road corridors and large-scale transport infrastructure, which reflect the area’s function as a major gateway to and from the western suburbs.

David then introduced some information on City West’s current demographic profile, noting that the area has a relatively high proportion of residents who walk to their workplaces and relatively low levels of car ownership.

Following a video representation of the area’s key features, networks and locations, David outlined the key challenges and opportunities identified to date through the background research stage:

Challenges:

·  Transport corridors;

·  Under-utilised spaces;

·  Concentration of land uses; and

·  Heritage issues.

Opportunities:

·  Streets for people;

·  Discover / reconnect;

·  Urban renewal; and

·  Activation.

David then outlined the draft City West Vision which proposes three overarching themes:

·  Connect – to nearby areas and key locations;

·  Discover – the area’s hidden gems and areas of interest; and

·  Renew – buildings and sites to stimulate cultural, community and economic activity.

Some locations that may be able to accommodate transformative projects have been identified, including potential future uses at the Victoria Barracks and the stadium forecourt.

In conclusion, David displayed a series of photographs of elements of City West’s unique local character, and encouraged members to consider these images when contemplating their ideas for what they like about City West and what could be improved.

Activity #2: Local knowledge

During this activity, CPT members took part in facilitated discussions to describe and detail their aspirations and ideas for City West.

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.

For this activity, participants were asked to respond to the following prompt questions:

·  What do you like about City West?

·  What places and destinations do you visit?

·  How do you move around, to and from City West?

·  What elements of City West need improvement?

At the end of the activity, a representative of each table presented the top three issues or ideas emerging from their discussions, and these are summarised as follows (detailed summaries of input are provided at the end of these notes):

Table 1:

·  Green spaces – utilising and enhancing existing parks, and also providing more greenery around the general area and streetscapes eg. more footpath trees;

·  Travel safety into and out of City West – pedestrian safety, especially around and under railway lines and the backpacker precinct, improved lighting and better cycle links; and

·  Traffic calming to address rat running around Caxton and Menzies Streets.

Table 2:

·  Traffic and transport – investigate potential to close Petrie Terrace and establish a tree-lined boulevard by making Countess Street two-way and closing Secombe Street; also address the Wellington Street rat-run;

·  Connectivity – provide better access to Roma Street and the CBD; and

·  Heritage – a range of views expressed re the extent to which heritage assets should be protected and/or redeveloped.

Table 3:

·  Suncorp Stadium forecourt – activation outside major event times, potentially through regular ‘eat street’ or other markets and connection to Caxton Street;

·  Pedestrianisation of Caxton Street – long-term goal for permanent closure, although initially through closure one night each week eg. Friday nights, when Caxton Street could become ‘the people’s street’; and

·  Pedestrian and cycle movement – improve connections through and within the area, in particular to Fortitude Valley, and make key intersections more pedestrian-friendly.

Table 4:

·  Diversity of development – in the commercial area in Caxton Street, and incorporation of residential opportunities when redevelopment occurs around the Normanby Hotel;

·  Parking and transport – provision of short-term (eg. 15 minutes) on-street customer parking on Petrie Terrace to assist businesses, perhaps through resuming part of parkland; and

·  Hardgrave Park – connectivity and access issues; redevelopment of Victoria Barracks could assist; some commercial activity could attract more people to use the park.

Table 5:

·  Petrie Terrace – address isolation of the area by improving access into and out of the terrace; also improve pedestrian access across Caxton Street;

·  Diversity of commercial activity – increase diversity by attracting variety of businesses; and

·  Victoria Barracks – explore redevelopment opportunities.

Meeting conclusion & next steps

Shannon 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.

A series of community events is taking place to encourage the community to have its say on the plan, and Council will seek to convene the second CPT Meeting in May.

Members were provided with copies of the draft City West Vision document at the conclusion of the meeting.

The meeting closed at 7.35pm.

Further Contact

Phone: 3403 8888

Email:

Web: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/city.west

2

Observations and input from CPT workshop activities, transcribed from notes and written comments on maps.

APPENDIX A

CPT workshop activity feedback: Local Knowledge of City West

Observations and input from CPT workshop activities, transcribed from notes and written comments on maps.

Table 1:

Observations and input from CPT workshop activities, transcribed from notes and written comments on maps.

·  Cycle link and footpath between the stadium and Coronation Drive bikeway

·  Potential for night markets or open-air cinema around stadium

·  Improve lighting in Neal Macrossan Park

·  Clean up behind court in Neal Macrossan Park

·  Provide more footpath trees

·  Ensure Normanby Hotel Development Application conditions include green space

·  No paid parking on Petrie Terrace

·  Crossing from Petrie Terrace or Barracks to Roma Street Parklands is unsafe – consider a pedestrian overpass

·  Victoria Barracks – green space with any new development, also preservation of buildings and provision of market space

·  Pedestrian travel unsafe between Petrie Terrace and Roma Street, especially through Hardgrave Park and under railway bridge

·  Improve lighting in Hardgrave Park

·  Difficult to cross Caxton Street at Hale Street

·  Traffic calming in Menzies and Cricket Streets to discourage rat running

·  Open up sight lines on Hardgrave Park – remove wall of shrubbery

·  Petrie Terrace – business signage, slow down traffic, upgrade footpaths

·  If houses on Menzies Street are non-habitable, must be green space

·  More footpath trees across the area

·  Create new art / Barracks heritage walks

Observations and input from CPT workshop activities, transcribed from notes and written comments on maps.

Table 2:

Observations and input from CPT workshop activities, transcribed from notes and written comments on maps.

·  Create green boulevard on Petrie Terrace, but manage parking

·  Hardgrave Park is unsafe

·  Neal Macrossan Park – just a dog park?

·  Tensions between redevelopment and heritage

·  Normanby Hotel site to provide open space