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The high street in Mount Gravatt – a strip of op shops, real estate agencies, restaurants, cafes and fitness studios along Logan Road – hasn’t changed much in decades.
The old “no frills” Franklins supermarket has been flattened and the former Mitre 10 hardware store has been retrofitted with medical services and a restaurant.
But little else in one of Brisbane’s few surviving suburban high streets has changed in the past four decades.
Mount Gravatt’s high street on Logan Road, looking towards Brisbane CBD.Brisbane City Council
Brisbane City Council now plans to create homes for thousands more people around the high street, allowing apartment towers between 12 and 16 storeys high, under its push for infill development over urban sprawl.
Unlike other areas that have been flagged for massive urban renewal projects, Mount Gravatt does not have a train station, and is not within walking distance to the South East Busway.
However, the LNP-led council under Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner argues apartment towers will completely transform the area, reviving the struggling high street and attracting additional services over the next 20 years.
“Mount Gravatt Centre will evolve into a vibrant and distinctive urban village,” a brochure promoting the Suburban Renewal Precinct says.
The proposal has attracted mixed reactions from locals, with some arguing the suburb is not equipped to deal with a rapid influx of new residents.
Concerns about overloading public transport, increased traffic congestion, a lack of useable green space, and an absence of affordable housing mandates were raised with this masthead.
The Coles at Mount Gravatt Plaza is formally called Coles Mountain View. Stand in the car park of the plaza, and you can look up to the peak of Mount Gravatt mountain.
It is a unique feature of the suburb, and one treasured by locals, who say the view of the mountain from Logan Road and surrounding streets has a calming effect.
Some are concerned apartment towers 12-storeys high, and one as high as 16 storeys on top of Mt Gravatt Plaza, will destroy this unique aspect.
The view of Mount Gravatt mountain is a beloved feature of the suburb.LJ Hooker
“It’s not NIMBYism, and I’m actually really pro-development,” said teacher Jasmine, who requested only to be known by her first name.
The new mum has been airing her concerns online in recent months, with her Facebook page “Liveable Mt Gravatt” attracting about 100 other residents with similar reservations.
“I’m actually just trying to make sure that the place I’ve invested my life for my family is going to get the best possible outcome,” she said.
“I don’t completely disagree with the plan … but I think that the amount of density is far exceeding what the location can cope with.”
A Brisbane City Council render of what Logan Road in Mount Gravatt could look like under the plan. Brisbane City Council
Mount Gravatt is about 13 kilometres south of the CBD.
The average age here is 35. Almost half of all households have children, and two-thirds live in a freestanding house. Just one-in-five residents live in an apartment.
Blake Shaw understands more apartments are needed to prevent urban sprawl, but questions why the council is opting for such dramatic density across a relatively small area.
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“We definitely need to build more houses and infill makes sense,” he said.
“If they’re serious they need things like having bicycle lanes on Logan Road, so people can ride around and consider maybe improvements to the bus network, as well as things like green space.
“I think it just all feels a bit reactive, rather than proactive.”
Under the new plan, apartment towers between five and 12-storeys high would be allowed along the length of Logan Road, between Creek and Nursery roads, while a 16-storey tower would be permitted over Mount Gravatt Plaza.
Suburban streets behind Mount Gravatt Plaza, near the Mount Gravatt Showgrounds, would be rezoned to allow three-storey apartment blocks.
Shoppers on the high street on Thursday afternoon, carried a touch more optimism about the renewal plan.
“I think it’s a really good idea because this is a dead area,” said Naomi, a resident of 20 years who requested that her last name not be published.
Naomi supports the plan to bring the Mount Gravatt high street back to life.William Davis
“I know a lot of people don’t want change, but you have to have change … people living here will bring up the area.”
Restaurant owner Art, who runs Thai Smile Cooking, also said increased density would “definitely be good” for business.
Restaurant owner Art, of Thai Smile Cooking, also thought the plan would bring economic benefits. William Davis
If approved, Mount Gravatt Centre would join Wynnum, Alderley, and Stones Corner as Suburban Renewal Precincts.
This masthead revealed in October a private-sector group was exploring a similar plan for Stafford on the north side.
Moorooka and Salisbury have also been mooted as possible renewal precincts.
‘Mount Gravatt Centre’ is about 13 kilometres south-east of the CBD. Unlike other suburbs flagged for urban renewal, it does not have a train station or major busway.William Davis
The council argues these will develop into hubs well served by public transport, and go some way towards rectifying the housing shortage that has sent Brisbane house prices skyrocketing since COVID.
Unlike the other designated urban renewal precincts, “Mount Gravatt Centre” does not have a train station or a major busway – a fact not lost on many residents.
The Labor opposition has long been critical of precinct planning.
Towers up to 16 storeys would be allowed along this section of Logan Road in Mount Gravatt.William Davis
“Mount Gravatt locals have struggled getting the essential infrastructure and services for their growing community,” council Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy said in a statement.
“They’re not NIMBYs, they just want their fair share from council.”
Schrinner, meanwhile, said he understood residents’ cautious approach, but was confident the plan would benefit the whole community.
“It’s natural for people to ask the question: ‘This place that I live, will it fundamentally change … and if it does fundamentally change, will it be better?’
“But time and time again, what we see is when these suburban renewal projects happen, the outcome is really positive.”
Jasmine said she felt her concerns had not been taken seriously by the LNP council or Labor when she tried to speak to representatives.
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“I’m actually finding that the whole political system [makes me] jaded, and it’s just ruining my faith in politics and the people who are meant to represent us,” she said.
“I feel like the consultation process is smoke and mirrors … based on my engagement with it as a member of the public. It’s not sufficient, given the changes that they’re proposing.”
Public submissions on the Mount Gravatt Suburban Renewal Precinct Plan are being accepted until Sunday night.
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