The proposed strategy for Richlands WacolMay 2010

Have your say about the future of Richlands Wacol CorridorThis newsletter tells you about the Neighbourhood Plan Strategy for Richlands Wacol Corridor, so you can consider what you like or dislike about the plans for the area and let us know your views.

Your feedback will be considered when we refine the draft neighbourhood plan. This will then be sent to the Queensland Government for review. You will have another opportunity to comment before this becomes a legal document guiding development in Richlands Wacol Corridor for the next ten years.

The information in these pages outlines the future plans for Richlands Wacol Corridor. It’s important you read this, ask for more information if you need it and respond. Find out how to tell us what you think at the end of the newsletter.

Why Richlands Wacol CorridorThe Richlands Wacol Corridor includes the suburbs of Richlands and parts of Wacol, Darra and Inala.

As Brisbane’s gateway to the “Western Corridor”, Richlands Wacol is well located with connections to the Ipswich Motorway, Logan Motorway and Centenary Motorway. It is located 15 km from the Brisbane Central Business District and 25 km from the Port of Brisbane.

Richlands Wacol Corridor is the second most important industrial area in Brisbane after the Australia Trade Coast. The draft plan encourages industrial growth, supports commercial development and allows new residential communities while protecting existing residential communities.

Brisbane has a plan to manage growth, called Brisbane CityShape 2026. This was put together with input from 60,000 Brisbane residents. CityShape 2026 identifies Richlands Wacol Corridor as a “productive precinct”. This means the area is earmarked for industrial land use and jobs growth.

For more about the Brisbane CityShape 2026 visit www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/neighbourhoodplanning or call Council on (07) 3403 8888.

What’s been happening so far in Richlands Wacol?Council started work on the Richlands Wacol Corridor Neighbourhood Plan in September 2008. Since then Council has spoken with more than 500 local people in land use planning workshops, family fun days, at local cultural festivals and on the streets. We have held a number of business forums and worked closely with a Community Planning Team (CPT) made up of business representatives, local residents and representatives of community organisations.

In October 2009 a draft land use plan was presented to the community for comment at a public workshop. The draft land use plan was based on input from businesses, the CPT and the local community. More than 65 people took part in the workshop.

All this feedback has been used to create the Richlands Wacol Corridor Neighbourhood Strategy, which is this document. The strategy will guide urban planners in drafting the neighbourhood plan.

Proposed Land Uses Map

What about infrastructure?As Brisbane grows and becomes a more and more desirable place to live, our infrastructure comes under increasing pressure. Council is building more roads, tunnels and bridges to help traffic move around our city and upgrading sewer, water and other services to accommodate increased growth.

Some infrastructure is funded and built by the Queensland Government, some by Council and some by private developers. There are limits to the amount of money available for new infrastructure and Council has to balance the needs of all the suburbs across the city.

As development occurs in Richlands Wacol Corridor there will be infrastructure upgrades. A new infrastructure plan is being prepared to support future development. The infrastructure plan will guide the timing and requirements for new infrastructure, such as roads, water, sewer and open space.

Examples of some infrastructure projects that have been identified for Richlands Wacol Corridor are:

the continued upgrade of Progress Road completion of the Boundary Road connection new parks and recreation spaces extending the rail line and building the Richlands Rail Station and bus interchange (a

Queensland Government initiative).

Intent of the strategyThis strategy supports the local and regional economies by facilitating industrial expansion, specifically on the western side of Centenary Motorway with commercial, retail and residential areas to be developed east of the motorway.

The neighbourhood plan area has been divided into three precincts: Wacol Industrial, Richlands Central and Richlands East. Each precinct includes sub-precincts, which show the proposed future land uses for that area. These sub-precincts will allow specific outcomes to be achieved through the neighbourhood plan. This strategy does not propose any area classification (zoning) changes to the white areas on the map.

Above image: Possible future industrial uses next to Bullockhead Creek Corridor.

Wacol Industrial PrecinctThe Wacol Industrial Precinct is situated entirely to the west of the Centenary Motorway.

To maximise the area’s industrial potential and secure this area as a major employment node for South East Queensland, this precinct has been identified for industrial development. This means there would be more job opportunities for those who live in and around Richlands Wacol Corridor. It would also attract more people from other suburbs to work in the area, boosting the local economy.

A small light industrial sub-precinct would be located at the southern end along Waterford Road to act as a buffer between the general industrial area and the Carole Park residential area. There is an area of land subject to further investigation for mixed industry/business use.

Bullockhead Creek Corridor runs through this precinct. The corridor has important ecological values and is part of a regionally significant flora and fauna habitat link. In future the corridor could provide pedestrian and cycle connections through the area.

Additional requirements will be applied to new industrial development to address water quality and storm water management.

Small convenience centres located at the southern and northern ends of the precinct to service local workers are proposed.

Some new roads have been identified to assist development of this precinct.

Above image: Industrial areas with quality building forms that face the street and/or Bullockhead Creek Corridor.

Richlands Centre Structure Plan

Richlands Central PrecinctThis precinct would provide significant employment opportunities and additional housing to accommodate the extra people expected to live in Richlands Wacol in the next 20 years.

The draft plan concentrates commercial and residential development around the new Richlands Rail Station. It will also include a bus interchange and an indoor sport and recreation facility in the future.

It makes good sense for people to live near the places they visit every day – like their workplaces, schools, shops, playgrounds and coffee shops. This is why the draft plan allows a mix of uses in the Richlands Core Sub-precinct. A small supermarket-based retail centre, commercial uses and office development would be encouraged to service local residents and workers.

It’s important to have a range of housing to suit everyone’s needs. Medium and low-medium density housing up to five stories would be allowed in the Richlands Medium Density and Richlands Low Medium Density sub-precincts and provide a buffer between surrounding low density residential and commercial areas. New homes would take advantage of the elevated location and views to the city as in the sketched diagram below.

Above image: Showing buildings are to step down the slope.

Office, non-polluting industry, education, warehouses, distribution centres and bulky goods retail could be located in the Richlands Frame Sub-precinct, south of the rail hub.

The Richlands Light Industrial Sub-precinct would separate the general industrial areas from the existing and future residential areas.

The existing waterway running through the precinct would be retained and enhanced and provide a focal point for local residents and workers. Streetscape improvements would contribute to a pleasant, walkable environment.

You told us that Richlands State School and the Italian Monument are historically important to the local community. It is proposed that the buildings with heritage value and the monument be retained to preserve the local heritage for the area. Future uses of the school site could include community use or public open space. Council is talking to the Queensland Government about options for this site.

New roads would be necessary for people to access the retail and commercial uses around the station. A pedestrian friendly environment with a range of uses to link the new rail station with the Richlands State School site and residential areas to the east is envisaged.

Above image: Showing view looking west to train station along proposed new road through Richlands Core Sub-precinct.

Inala Residential Sub-precinct Structure Plan

Richlands East PrecinctThe southern area of this precinct – the Inala Residential Sub-precinct – would be developed as low-medium density housing to fit in with nearby areas. A structure plan has been developed to guide future development in this area. More open space and new roads would be provided for future residents to enjoy.

CJ Greenfield Park on Freeman Road, Inala will be home to a new public artwork that is being created with the assistance of the local community. This piece will represent and celebrate the area’s rich, vibrant and diverse cultural heritage.The existing Queensland Police Service Academy will remain in the short term. If the Academy relocates, future uses for the land could include bulky goods retail, industry, distribution centres, institution or education services and other non-residential uses. This site is not considered appropriate for residential development.

Let us know your viewsIf you would like to comment on the strategy for Richlands Wacol Corridor, you can send details of your thoughts in writing. We would like to hear what you do and don’t like about the strategy for Richlands Wacol Corridor.

Your comments must be received by close of business on 25 June 2010.

If you have any enquiries, or would like to comment on the strategy, you can:

send an email to neighbourhood_planning@brisbane.qld.gov.au call the neighbourhood planning team on (07) 3403 8888 write to:

Neighbourhood PlanningBrisbane City CouncilGPO Box 1434Brisbane Qld 4001

Where to from here?Council is holding ‘Get to know your Neighbourhood Plan’ sessions where you can find out more about the draft Richlands Wacol Corridor Neighbourhood Plan. At this session you can talk to a planner, ask specific questions and get more detail on how to have your say.

Get to know your Neighbourhood Plan - Session detailsYou can turn up at any time during either of the two drop-in sessions listed below:

Date: Thursday 10 June 2010Location: Queensland Lions Club, 133 Pine Road, RichlandsTime/s: 2-4pm OR 6-8pmRSVP: Wednesday 9 June 2010 to Council on (07) 3403 8698

Finalising the draft PlanCouncil will collate and review all the comments we receive and use these to refine the draft plan. The draft plan will then 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 late 2010.

These submissions will be reviewed and considered when the second draft plan is prepared and submitted to the Queensland Government for approval. Once it is 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 for Richlands Wacol Corridor for the next ten years.

For more informationThe 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.