Eight Mile Plains gateway neighbourhood planCommunity Planning Team meeting notes

Meeting No 1 – 17 July 2019

Meeting detailsDate: Wednesday 17 July 2019Time: 6:00pm to 8:30pmLocation: Elaine Room, Glen Hotel, 24 Gaskell Street, Eight Mile Plains

AttendeesCommunity planning team members:Amy, Ana Cecilia, Chelsea, David, Geoffrey, Godwin, Ian, Jaya, Julie, Kay, Larissa, Louis, Phillip, Rajan, Sam, Tammy, Terri, Wayne C and Wayne W.

Council Officers and Consultants:Rebecca Arnaud (Acting Manager, Neighbourhood Planning and Urban Renewal), Sonia Kirby (Principal Urban Planner), Annete Cupitt (meeting facilitator), Pemba Amuri, Larissa Godfrey, Lisa Murphy, Phillip Ng, Daniel Pirie, Tyrone Dack (activity facilitators and scribes), Vesna Simic (registration), James Cole (note taker).

Observers:Councillor Ryan Murphy (Councillor for Chandler Ward), and Councillor Steven Huang (Councillor for MacGregor Ward).

Apologies:CPT members Asrar, Ken, Melinda, Saumva and Terri.

Agenda1. Welcome

2. Who is on our CPT?

3. Activity 1: Points of Interest

4. Working together

5. About neighbourhood planning

Break for light refreshment

6. Community insights

7. Activity 2: Your Local knowledge

8. Activity 3: What’s your vision?

9. Next steps

Welcome and introductionsAnnete Cupitt began by acknowledging the traditional owners of the meeting place and welcomed everybody to this first Community Planning Team (CPT) meeting for the Eight Mile Plains gateway neighbourhood plan (EMPGNP).

Annete thanked everyone for giving up their time to contribute and for also providing comments through the survey. Annete introduced the Council team that will be managing the planning process and assisting to guide this evening’s activities, and acknowledged Councillor Ryan Murphy,

Councillor for Chandler Ward, attending as an observer. Councillor Huang was later able to attend the meeting.Annete also explained the role of the Council officers assisting the table discussions as both facilitators and scribes. Notes from all CPT meetings will be distributed to members and will be published on the website.

An overview of the agenda was then presented to CPT members.

Who is on our CPT?Continuing, Annete spoke about the formation of the CPT. The final composition provides for a cross-section of ages, genders, places and periods of residence or business, and local interests.

Activity #1: Points of interestAnnete then noted that input to date has already identified a number of points of interest in the NP area. CPT members completed a brief introductory activity, where CPT members shared information about each other’s backgrounds and discussed their personal points of interests in and connection to the Eight Mile Plains gateway area. Following that discussion, a representative from each table introduced their colleagues to the larger CPT group and shared a key point of interest.

Working together as a CPTAnnete then explained the role of CPT members and Council through the process, including opportunities for community input, both through the CPT and for the wider community. Annete stressed Council’s intention to conduct CPT meetings in a collaborative and open manner, encouraging contributions from all participants.

Annete explained the CPT Terms of Reference (ToR) and asking that members respect the CPT process in their use of external platforms including social media. Council officers will make it very clear if information presented to the CPT should not be shared outside the CPT. Other than that, members should feel free to share information and ideas across their various professional and personal networks.

The group agreement around the conduct of the group were discussed and agreed as follows: One person to speak at a time Understanding and give each other time to speak Accept and accommodate language barriers Be respectful of other opinions and points of view Everyone is entitled to contribute There’s no such thing as a silly question or idea Think about the future – don’t over-reference the past Have fun!

Council needs the participation of the CPT members in the process, to provide valuable local knowledge and insight to inform the draft strategy and neighbourhood plan. In addition to the feedback from the CPT, Council will also factor in a range of other inputs, including formal opportunities for feedback from the wider community and interested stakeholders.

About neighbourhood planning Annete then introduced Sonia Kirby as Principal Urban Planner. Sonia explained that members of the community planning team bring a unique set of experiences and knowledge that will help set the future planning agenda for the Eight Mile Plains gateway area. The issues in Eight Mile Plains gateway about which CPT members are passionate will be central to all discussions, and members are encouraged to raise and advocate for those issues whenever they consider it appropriate.

Sonia noted that all work done to create neighbourhood plans fits within a set planning framework and contributes to delivery of the objectives set by the Queensland Government through the South East Queensland Regional Plan (SEQRP).

Council has a planning scheme known as the Brisbane City Plan 2014 (City Plan). City Plan includes the Strategic Framework, which identifies the future land use pattern in Brisbane including major centres, existing and future industrial, residential and open space land uses, and infrastructure.

Under the City Plan, neighbourhood plans describe locally-specific planning provisions, catering for local circumstances and seeking to advance the aspirations of the local community. The neighbourhood planning process guides development in local communities to ensure that each area retains and enhances its own special character and qualities. A neighbourhood plan provides an opportunity for everyone to have their say on how their community develops in the future.

Next, Sonia spoke about the scope of the neighbourhood plan to drive change in the local area, as well as those elements that a neighbourhood plan cannot affect.

In considering the process for the Eight Mile Plains gateway neighbourhood plan, Sonia advised that the project is currently in the background research phase, which involves gathering information and advice from a wide range of sources, notably from the community through the CPT process and other community input, direct engagement with the local business community, and also from reports and investigations by technical experts, as well as feedback from the Queensland Government. Local business groups will also be engaged to understand their priorities and to promote business, industry growth and jobs in the Eight Mile Plains gateway neighbourhood plan area. This phase will continue through 2019, with a draft neighbourhood plan strategy to be developed for consideration and public consultation late in 2019. The release of the draft neighbourhood strategy should follow after the third and final CPT meeting in September.

Following assessment of all feedback received, Council will then draft a statutory neighbourhood plan that will be released for further public consultation and review by the State Government in late 2020, with the final plan expected to be adopted and gazetted in mid-2021. Sonia acknowledged that proposed timeframe is in part influenced by the legal requirement to seek formal approval from the Queensland Government at a number of key milestones during plan development. Nevertheless, Council commits to bringing CPT members and the community along the journey and to provide regular updates on progress.

Members raised a number of questions about the process, including: The nature of technical studies used to inform the plan How public submissions are treated Opportunities for the community to understand how their ideas and suggestions are reviewed

and responded to during development of the plan. Confirmation of the timeframes to complete neighbourhood plans generally.

The Eight Mile Plains gateway neighbourhood plan areaLarissa Godfrey then provided an overview of the neighbourhood plan study area and explained that a range of background technical studies are already underway. These will combine with significant community input, including the CPT’s views, and targeted sector and public consultation, to provide the basis for what is included in the neighbourhood plan.

Larissa indicated that a variety of land uses are inside and also just outside the study area, and these include:

RACQ headquarters Technology parks, including Brisbane, Gateway and Freeway technology parks (there are

approximately 150 businesses in the Brisbane Technology Park alone) Office uses in Garden City Future office uses planned for the Rochedale Urban Community NP The future Rochedale town centre The Centrus development, opposite the Eight Mile Plains busway station, with commercial

uses on the ground floor.

Major transport nodes in the area include:

The Eight Mile Plains busway station and park ‘n’ ride The Upper Mount Gravatt busway station, just north of the study area A future Rochedale busway station, just to the south of the study area The Brisbane Metro investigation site for a potential depot west of School Road.

Other notable land uses in the plan area include: Vacant land Emerging community zone which includes agricultural uses Education (Eight Mile Plains State School, St Johns Kindergarten) and religious uses (Gospel

Hall, Methodist Church, Mormon Tabernacle, Lutheran Church, Rochedale mosque, Sikh Temple, I Kuan Tao Association)

Caravan parks Low density residential Environmental corridor along Bulimba Creek.

Larissa then explained that the objectives for the neighbourhood plan process are to: Confirm the potential for new employment and residential uses Facilitate the transformation of the Eight Mile Plains area to a Global Precinct, particularly for

advanced manufacturing technology Make the best use of the significant infrastructure investment in the area Protect and enhance environmental and biodiversity in the Bulimba Creek catchment Enhance wayfinding, streetscape and walkability between major employment hubs,

residential areas and public transport options.

Turning to some of the drivers for change in the NP area, Larissa first spoke about the Global Precincts initiative, pointing out that in 2017, Council released Brisbane's Global Precincts: a shared vision for Australia's New World City. This identified the establishment of a Global Precinct at Upper Mount Gravatt / Eight Mile Plains as one of three priority precincts for Brisbane. This proposed Global Precinct, aimed at focusing on knowledge-intensive industry, enjoys a number of distinct advantages, being connected and accessible, situated less than 15 km from the Brisbane CBD, served by three major arterial roads and frequent bus services and rail connections, and in close proximity to Griffith University’s Nathan and Mt Gravatt campuses. The area also hosts significant potential retail and commercial potential as well as a buoyant and growing suburban office market. Employment in the area is forecast to continue to grow at a healthy rate.

Another driver for change will be the Brisbane Metro public transport project, with the Eight Mile Plains busway station identified as a key station at the end of the Brisbane Metro line. The Brisbane Metro will support the location becoming a Global Precinct, and detailed design and construct is continuing through 2019 to 2022, with services commencing in 2023. Another key addition to local transport infrastructure will be the upgrade of the Pacific and Gateway Motorway merge, which is currently under construction and due to be completed by the middle of 2020.

Members then took a short break before continuing the meeting.

Online Survey resultsAnnete provided the results of the community survey which was open from May to June 2019. The survey attracted 283 complete responses, indicating a strong level of interest. Responses have come from a range of people, including residents both new and established, business owners and employees. Of those people that worked in the study area, almost half worked at the Brisbane Technology Park, and almost one-quarter stated that they work at the RACQ. The responses have shown that businesses, employees, community members and residents nominate the same ideas and challenges, albeit from slightly different perspectives.

The survey results indicate that the things that people value most about the area are: Access to major freeways (more than 68.6%) Access to public transport (more than 50%) Proximity to the city, parks and greenspaces (more than 30%) Close to place of work or study (approximately 20.3%).

In terms of aspects of the area that need improvement, survey respondents nominated the following as the highest priority:

Traffic improvements (75.3%) Improved access to cafes, dining, shops and markets (45.5%) Improved connectivity (29.5%) More businesses and housing around public transport and shops (16.7%) More space for business and employment (6.6%).

Activity #2: Your local knowledgeDuring this activity, CPT members took part in facilitated discussions to gather members’ knowledge of and aspirations for the plan area regarding:

Getting around – accessibility and connectivity Employment and business – where people go and why Housing and employment mix – appropriate types and locations of housing Lifestyle and recreation – where people go and why

Members moved in rotation across the four topic tables, and provided their input via drawings and notations on activity sheets as well as written notes taken by the table scribes. Each table also used a divided paper sheet to list “Places I Love” and “Opportunities for Improvement”. A summary of the issues raised, and suggestions provided is included at Appendix A to these minutes. This information will be used to inform the topics for the next three CPT meetings.

A representative of each table reported back to the wider group on the key points captured. These are detailed in the Appendix.

Activity #3: What’s your vision?Daniel Pirie then explained that the CPT’s insight is needed to develop a vision statement for the area. He suggested that a meaningful vision statement:

Describes what the area will look and feel like in 20 years’ time Identifies the area’s unique features Is written in non-technical, plain language that the community can understand, embrace and

use to identify their own place in the area Will be shared with the community so that they can comment and make suggestions, as part

of the draft NP strategy Provides the building blocks for strategic intent of neighbourhood plan strategy Does not need to explain and describe everything about the area, but rather ‘captures the

essence’ of the area.

Members were then invited to access the Sli.do website (slido.com) to submit three concise dot points, using words or phrases that describe what they consider to be the essence of the Eight Mile Plains gateway NP area. The resulting word cloud was presented live on screen to show members the most popular and frequent emerging responses. Daniel advised that these ideas will be collated to inform the development of a draft vision statement to be reviewed during an activity at the next CPT meeting.

As a starting point, Daniel suggested that members might wish to consider some of the following elements from the Banyo-Northgate neighbourhood plan, as an example of what might be included in the Vision statement for Eight Mile Plains gateway:

Banyo-Northgate area is well-connected by frequent public transport services and roads to Central Brisbane and the rest of South East Queensland. There are a variety of centres that provide residents with housing, commercial and recreational opportunities, whilst the existing local character and heritage of neighbourhoods will continue to be protected. Lively commercial, industrial and education precincts will be hubs for innovation and research to support future business and employment in the area.

A well-connected community is supported by plenty of green spaces, community facilities, schools and other opportunities for people to connect.

Next steps and meeting conclusionAnnete then thanked all present for their enthusiasm, passion 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 Neighbourhood Planning Brisbane Team on the contact details below.

Members were also advised that they will receive an email with a link to provide Council with feedback on tonight’s session, so that any adjustments or changes can be made before the CPT reconvenes for its second meeting.

The next CPT meeting will be on Thursday 8 August 2019 from 6pm, with the Council team available onsite from approximately 5.15pm to respond to any enquiries from members.The third and final CPT meeting will be held on Wednesday 4 September 2019, also from 6pm.

The meeting closed at 8.35pm.

Further ContactPhone: The Project Team on 3403 8888Email: neighbourhood_planning@brisbane.qld.gov.auVisit: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au and search for ‘Eight Mile Plains gateway neighbourhood plan’Subscribe: to updates via email on project page

Minutes checked/approvedChecked: LG/ACApproved: SK

APPENDIX ATable 1 – Getting Around (Larissa and Tyrone assisting):

Additional access and connections to the V1 Veloway, bikeway to Brisbane CBD, including from the end of London Street.

The two principles of City Shape are shown within this plan, the Linear and the TOD.

Agreement that additional car parking could be provided at the park ’n’ ride facility. This could be provided through a multi-level car park.

Lack of lighting and uneven surface at the park ‘n’ ride facility makes it feel unsafe for pedestrians and more lighting could be provided on footpaths between the Glen Hotel and busway to encourage pedestrians to use public transport.

Request for more lighting for pedestrians in the Bulimba Creek corridor.

The width and quality of footpaths along Holmead Road could be upgraded to improve walking. Lack of lighting on this road makes people feel unsafe.

Request for better walking connections from Garden City Office and Brisbane Technology parks, including a pedestrian footbridge over the Pacific Motorway from the busway station to Brisbane Technology Park.

Concerns that existing traffic congestion in the study area will be exacerbated by additional passengers using Brisbane Metro.

There is congestion along the length of Logan Road in the study area which needs addressing.

Concerns that cars are rat running through residential areas to avoid the intersection of Miles Platting and Logan Roads. An overpass at Miles Platting Road was suggested. Suggestion to create cul-de-sacs in residential streets to prevent rat running.

Rat running through Brisbane Technology Park was also a concern to avoid the intersection of Logan and Miles Platting Road.

Agreement that intersections along Logan and Miles Platting roads could be upgraded to improve road safety and traffic congestion in peak periods. The intersection of Holmead and Logan Road was also identified. Suggestion for an overpass at Logan and Miles Platting Roads.

Right turn on Miles Platting Road onto School Road is not possible during peak hour periods. Miles Platting Road bridge over the Pacific Motorway is narrow potentially creating a bottle neck in the future.

Car and truck parking could be provided along Logan Road.

Request for traffic management along Logan Road and all other roads connecting to this road corridor. Traffic flow down Warrigal Road (to the west of the study area) could be improved.

Bus route 554 to Eight Mile Plains station comes only every 30 minutes with the last bus at 7pm. The bus goes on the Gateway for 200m which has a good flow most of the time. As a result, people drive to Warrigal Rd to access the 150 bus route. Route 454 to Garden City goes the long way.

Request for more loop buses that connect to 156 and 157 bus routes.

There is a multi-story car park in the Brisbane Technology Park which has spare capacity, this is a commercial car park charging $120 per month. Some employers subsidise this cost. This assists to reduce the demand for on street car parking.

Concerns raised that cars run red lights at bicycle crossing creating road safety issues.

There needs to be parking at Bulimba Creek off Priestdale Road so that people from further away can access the creek corridor.

Table 2 – Employment and Business (Phillip assisting): Suggestion for more small-scale commercial shops on the corner of Holmead Road

across from Eight Mile Plains Busway station. The current shops available within the ground floor (Medical Centre, Dentist Bottle store) are frequently used. However, improved functionality is needed as there are multiple vacancies.

Several residents are self-employed and work from home. They love the benefits of the location in Eight Mile Plains being proximate to the Pacific Highway and Gateway Motorway.

The local caravan parks in the area are a great place for employment of local residents. The caravan parks also support local businesses as much as possible, for example purchasing turf from the turf farm in Rochedale.

The service station and car wash along Logan Road next to the Technology Park is a favourite for its location and fuel price.

Residents living around Levington Road & Millers Road currently use the small shops on the corner of Logan Road & Underwood Road (Underwood Village Shopping Centre). They would like to see the opportunity to see something similar (small scale shops/cafes) in the walkable catchment. However, they do not want to see a large neighborhood centre as they advised there is Warrigal Square or Runcorn Plaza within a short drive.

RACQ, in particular the car park is viewed as an inefficient use of space. The land can be significantly improved via multi-storey car park to free up space for potentially commercial/shops for future residents.

It is good having the ability to obtain an international license relatively quickly and conveniently with the RACQ building close to home.

The Brisbane Technology Park is quite vacant and empty at nights and weekends. There is the opportunity to introduce activities (food trucks) to welcome additional life and movement into the Tech Park.

The opening hours for the coffee shops within the technology parks is currently limited to business hours of operation. There is the opportunity to extend these hours to include weekend trade to invite residential people to enter the technology parks.

Table 3 – Housing and Employment Mix (Daniel and Pemba assisting):

Potential for commercial development to occur east of the Gateway Motorway on School Road. Green spaces should be integrated into any commercial development to improve the amenity for residents and employees.

Protect environmental values from development that exists on residential land that occurs on School Road. A mix of housing densities (i.e. units and townhouses) could allow for the preservation of environmental corridors.

Preserving environmental corridors that occur in the study area will retain the livability of Eight Mile Plains.

A mix of commercial and residential development could activate vacant sites east of the Gateway Motorway on School Road and Miles Platting Road, and along Logan Road.

Business could be developed on vacant land to the east of the Gateway Motorway. However, the proposed Brisbane Metro depot on School Road reduces the land available to support commercial activities.

RACQ headquarters situated on Logan Road provides a range of services (e.g finance). Opportunities may exist for associated businesses and services to co-locate and cluster around this site and could be encouraged through the neighbourhood plan.

Encouraging more services, amenity and retail around RACQ headquarters could improve employee’s experience. Another suggestion was for a food court and cafes to be integrated on site at RACQ headquarters.

There are cafes and restaurants in the technology parks that cater for employees on weekdays, but then close on weekends. Local residents would like to see more cafes and restaurants open on the weekend. A restaurant in the technology park is now open on the weekend.

Support for the mixed-use development opposite the Eight Mile Plains busway station. However, ground floor activation is required. Proposal for Medium density residential rather than Mixed use zoning could be considered at this location.

Support for housing development close to the busway station increasing access to employment and amenities.

Residences remain empty in the mixed-use development on Holmead Road. Occupation of units should be encouraged through planning policy. Foreign investment can leave units vacant which reduces the level of activation that high density residential development can deliver around public transport nodes.

Did not support residential or mixed-use development on Lilywood Street close to the Eight Mile Plains busway station. These sites should be retained for open space uses.

The pocket of residential development on the northern side of Miles Platting Road between the Garden City Office and Brisbane Technology Parks and the townhouse development on the eastern part of this area alongside the Pacific Motorway seems to have a higher proportion of renters compared to the rest of this area, which is characterized by detached dwellings.

On-street parking was identified as an issue in residential areas close to the technology parks. It was suggested that employees of local businesses were parking in streets.

Some townhouse developments are occurring on Emerging community zoned land to the western side of Logan Road, which provides some housing choice for local residents and employees.

Townhouses that accommodate residential growth could be encouraged in the existing residential area north of Miles Platting Road. However, small lots constrain this type of development.

Concerns raised that townhouse developments in the study area create parking issues. Request to increase car parking rates for townhouse development to resolve any on-street parking issues.

Request for the Caravan Park on the northern side of Holmead Road, to be included in the study area. The neighbourhood centre could also be included in the neighbourhood plan.

The caravan parks have additional capacity to accommodate housing demand in the study area.

Suggestion that aged care facilities are not required in the study area because there are a number of facilities just outside the study area.

A child care centre is situated on the intersection of Miles Platting and Buckingham Place, which services employees from the technology park.

Table 4 – Lifestyle and Recreation (Lisa assisting): Create a balance between bushland protection and improving walking and cycling

connections in the study area. Pathways and bikeways are disconnected in the study area and not easily accessible or visible.

Bulimba Creek corridor provides recreational and environmental values for local residentsand requires protection. Request to identify areas to retain and rehabilitate in this corridor and existing open space areas are not easy to locate in the study area.

Increase the shade along the bike and footpath along the Bulimba Creek corridor to enable walking in the summer months. Extend the bikeway along Bulimba Creek corridor over the Gateway Motorway from Holmead to Priestdale roads. Planning needs to consider riparian vegetation.

Improving access and interfaces between open space areas and business uses to increasing the amenity for business owners. Pedestrian footpath is needed along Underwood Road.

Agreement that locals love open space areas in the study area, including Brampton Street, Buckingham Place, Holmead Road, Settler Street Parks.

Dog off leash area exists at Buckingham Place Park. No facilities or playground exist at the Manchester Street Park.

Additional covered seating in all parks would improve the comfort for users. Support for additional seating for the park at the end of Lindeman Place, Eight Mile Plains.

Neighbourhood centre on the north of Holmead Road is quiet and needs activation for the business to survive.

Request for more car parking at Holmead Park, outside of the study area. Facilities requested in Settler Street Park included barbeque and running track. More local places to go with a toddler would be valued.

Improve walking and cycling connections from Garden City and the north of the study area.

More amenities and services in Brisbane Technology Park such as restaurants, coffee and gym.

Increase the number of shade trees in local streets to make it a cooler place in the summer. Tree planting could be done by volunteer groups or paid contractors.

Request for sound barriers along Miles Platting and Logan roads to reduce noise impacts and improve local resident’s amenity.

Population growth is required to provide demand for existing businesses in the study area.

The proximity and access to other areas and facilities is valued. For example, Warringal Square Shopping Centre and Underwood Park and the future Rochedale Town Centre, which will contribute to the livability of the study area.

The multi-cultural nature of the community contributes to the livability of the area.