The next chapter for a prime Brisbane industrial site, long eyed for its development potential as “Southbank 2.0”, has begun.
The Queensland Government has called for expressions of interest in developing the Visy site at South Brisbane, one of the city’s last remaining riverfront industrial sites, into a landmark mixed-use precinct.
The state wants the 7.1ha, currently home to Visy’s glass recycling and manufacturing operations, to be redeveloped into “a vibrant precinct featuring residential, community and commercial spaces”.
The project could deliver more than 4000 new homes, alongside riverfront promenades, entertainment venues, event lawns and community spaces connected to Brisbane’s inner-city hubs.
The site is 1.3km from the Brisbane CBD between South Bank and West End.
The Government this year confirmed it would not proceed with the former Labor government’s plan to convert the site into a broadcast centre for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, after a 100 Day Review found it financially unviable.
The market launch is supported by a renewed Kurilpa temporary local planning instrument that streamlines approvals and allows unlimited building heights up to the flight path cap of 274 metres.
Premier David Crisafulli said the project was a once-in-a-generation opportunity to reshape Brisbane’s inner city and create a precinct that all Queenslanders could be proud of.
“We’re unlocking one of the last golden stretches of riverfront to create a world-class legacy precinct,” Crisafulli said.
Crisafulli said that although the Government was focused on delivering the upcoming Games, there was also a broader commitment to urban renewal and housing delivery across the state.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the redevelopment complemented the city’s broader vision for the Kurilpa Precinct, which already anticipates more than 5000 new homes.
Schrinner said the site’s riverfront location and existing public transport connections made it ideal for high-density residential and community development.
“Our planning has transformed areas like James Street and Howard Smith Wharves, and the Kurilpa Plan will deliver similar outcomes for South Brisbane,” he said.
The site is part of the Government’s wider strategy to activate surplus government-owned land to provide housing for Queenslanders, with a target of a million new homes by 2044.
Interested proponents are required to register via the Economic Development Queensland website to participate in the market process.
EDQ will assess submissions, shortlist proposals and work with successful proponents individually or in consortia to develop shovel-ready development agreements.
Construction on the precinct could begin as early as March 2027, subject to the completion of approvals and agreements with private partners.
Visy expects to begin operations at its new facility at Stapylton, about 38km by road south of Brisbane, next year.
