A once-in-a-generation plan to reshape Wynnum’s town centre has been scaled back after hundreds of residents had their say, with building heights reduced across parts of the proposed renewal precinct.
More than 500 submissions from residents, businesses and community groups helped reshape Brisbane City Council’s Wynnum Centre Suburban Renewal Precinct Plan following consultation late last year.
The proposal focuses on the Wynnum CBD around Wynnum Central Station, Kitchener Park and Bay Tce – although Council says 96.5 per cent of the suburb will remain untouched.
Following community feedback, building heights have been reduced in several locations, introducing a clearer step-down in development away from the station and main street.
Under the revised plan, development could reach up to five storeys in outer parts of the precinct, up to eight storeys along sections of Bay Tce, Berrima St and Tingal Rd, up to 12 storeys on sites smaller than 2000sq m in the inner precinct, and up to 15 storeys in a small central cluster near Wynnum Central Station on sites larger than 2000sq m.
The post-consultation report reinforces the draft plan’s tighter design rules, including slimmer tower forms, maximum tower site cover of 50 per cent, minimum 10m tower separation and podium heights capped at two storeys.
Landmark sites are required to provide publicly accessible open spaces with high-quality subtropical landscaping at ground level.
Retail tenancies larger than 1500sqm in the Colina St sub-precinct would trigger an economic impact assessment to protect the Wynnum CBD, while a service station will not be supported within the Wynnum Central precinct.
The plan also strengthens proposals for a subtropical green corridor along Florence St linking Wynnum Central station to the foreshore, while Council will investigate an “urban common” to deliver additional public open space.
Extra protections are also reinforced for the heritage-listed Waterloo Bay Hotel precinct, including setbacks of 5m for buildings up to three storeys and 10m for taller development.
The precinct plan aims to deliver more housing close to jobs, services and public transport while protecting surrounding suburban neighbourhoods.
Brisbane City Council first resolved in November 2024 to amend Brisbane City Plan 2014 to introduce the precinct and associated changes to the Wynnum–Manly neighbourhood plan.
The amendments will now be sent to the State Government for approval before council can formally adopt them.
Wynnum–Manly Ward councillor Alex Givney said revitalising the town centre would unlock new opportunities for the Bayside.
“The Bayside is the best place to live, work and relax and we want to ensure it’s properly revitalised while also unlocking new opportunities,” Cr Givney said. “By focusing growth in well-serviced centres like Wynnum, we can support local jobs and enliven the area even more.”
Business and community leader Michael Jullyan said Wynnum’s location made it ideal for thoughtful growth.
“The Wynnum Town Centre is ringed by extensive park lands, well serviced by public transport and facilities, has Brisbane’s best microclimate and sits alongside Manly as the gateway to Moreton Bay,” he said.
“A sea change suburb within a city.”
Council Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy said the LNP Council had totally ignored the community.
“We worried that this process had a pre-determined outcome from the start. Profits have been placed ahead of people here and many people will be bitterly disappointed.”
