Redevelopment of disused Brisbane TAFE site underway

Works are underway on an urban renewal precinct at a disused TAFE site in south Brisbane, where the project will deliver 281 homes that include 75 social and affordable units and a 169-apartment retirement living facility.

Designed by Archipelago, the 3.1-hectare Parkside Yeronga precinct will also include commercial tenancies, small-scale retail, a community centre and more than 4,000 square metres of open space.

Archipelago has designed the commercial building, community centre and whole-of-site master plan, which provides the guiding principles and urban design framework for the development. The firm's landscape architecture team has designed the public realm.

"It will be a place that is sensitive to its context and respectful to its neighbours, demonstrating diversity done well," Archipelago says of the project. "The unique combination of proponents permits an abundance of residential offerings - from private luxury residential, to supported retirement living, to social and affordable housing - this will be a neighborhood that is welcome to all."

The site between Park Road and Villa Street in Yeronga was identified as a "Priority Development Area" in 2019, allowing the state government to override council planning processes. But as the Brisbane Times pointed out, the site sat neglected up until this year, with "disintegrating bunting emblazoned with 'unite and recover' government messaging and declarations of 'coming soon.'"

The state government is contributing $40 million to the project, which is being delivered as a public-private consortium led by Economic Development Queensland, alongside JGL Properties, Brisbane Housing Company and Retire Australia.

"This development is [a] great example of the private sector and government working together to deliver a range of housing options including private housing, social housing and retirement living," said premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.