FORMER Wynnum Manly councillor Peter Cumming has accused Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner of hiding plans to increase housing density in Wynnum before last year’s Brisbane City Council election.
Mr Cumming said plans to allow development up to 15 storeys would be seen as a “radical” change by residents and questioned why the new LNP councillor for the ward, Alex Givney, had not been upfront about the plans during her election campaign.
“Alex Givney has no mandate for the density increase,” he said.
“It was not mentioned during the election which she won by 2 per cent. Had it been raised, she may have lost.
“There has been no consultation with the public. Rather, the Lord Mayor claims consultation with stakeholders, presumably land owners with vested interests, has occurred.”
The Brisbane City Council changed zoning in 2009 under the Neighbourhood Plan, increasing permissible heights of buildings in Wynnum Central to up to eight storeys.
That resulted in several new apartment block buildings, with units sold on stunning bay views which Mr Cumming said would now be built out.
“The units in Berrima St will have their views of the bay wiped out by the increased 15-storey density,” he said.
“This plan will wipe out views of the bay on the western side of Bay Tce. It will cause shadowing of many streets..
“In 2009, the community had been consulted thoroughly, and people overall were happy with the proposal.
“In contrast this current proposal appears to be quite a radical one and there appears to be very limited consultation being proposed, and that could cause great difficulties with acceptance from the public with these plans.
“It is extremely important that residents put in a submission before the deadline.”
Mr Cumming said questions remained on the number of car parks required per apartment, and the number of visitor car parks.
The draft Wynnum Centre Suburban Renewal Precinct Plan is set to be released to the public this week, with community consultation held from October 7 to November 9.
Wynnum Manly Ward Councillor Alex Givney did not respond to Mr Cumming’s concerns on why the plan to increase density in Wynnum was not raised during the election campaign.
She said the revitalisation of Wynnum’s CBD was an exciting opportunity to create more to see and do on the Bayside.
“Our suburban renewal plans strike the right balance between encouraging more homes in well-located areas while protecting our tin and timber suburbs,” Cr Givney said.
“I’ve been talking to residents about what they would like to see in the area, helping to inform the draft plan.
“Wynnum’s CBD is the beating heart of Brisbane’s bayside and there is so much potential to make it even better.”
