UPDATE: A controversial proposal for a new 16-storey apartment tower at 33 Vulture Street in West End is igniting fierce backlash from local parents, just as public submissions close this week. With plans for 132 units and commercial space, the development threatens to overwhelm an already strained infrastructure and raise safety concerns for children at the nearby West End State School.
Parents are sounding the alarm, fearing the impact on their children as the school’s enrollment has surged from 700 to nearly 1,500 students in just a few years. “Overcrowding is a big concern,” said Vanessa Bertagnole, leader of the Parents and Citizens organization, emphasizing that the school environment is deteriorating. “It’s not a conducive learning environment and can lead to behaviour problems,” she stressed.
Last Friday, parents protested outside the school, voicing worries about increased traffic, safety hazards, and loss of privacy for students. “If that’s going to go on for years, we’re concerned about the vibration, the dust,” Bertagnole added, highlighting how the proposed structure would overlook playgrounds and swimming facilities, sparking discomfort among families.
Community leaders like Seleneah More, president of the West End Community Association, echoed these concerns. “The infrastructure we need, they just haven’t put in place to deal with that growth,” she stated. More noted that West End has experienced a staggering 10,000 dwellings added in the last 15 years, leading to a population boom without the necessary support systems in place.
While the project aims to provide much-needed housing in the area, parents argue that health, education, and transport infrastructure must keep pace. The existing building at the site, a former Queensland Can Company factory constructed in 1939, is currently zoned for a maximum of eight storeys under the South Brisbane Riverside Neighbourhood Plan. However, developer Stockwell insists that building higher is essential for community growth.
Public responses to the proposal have been largely negative, although some residents believe increased housing supply is critical amid a housing crisis. “The building looks nice, housing is greatly needed in this area,” one submission claimed, while also suggesting the need for more greenery in the design.
The proposal is now set to be assessed by independent planning officers at Brisbane City Council, who will review all public submissions as part of the evaluation process. A council spokesperson confirmed that all feedback will be taken into account.
As this story develops, local residents remain on edge, awaiting the council’s decision on a project that could reshape their community. The outcome will be crucial not just for housing but for the wellbeing of families living in West End. Stay tuned for updates on this urgent issue.
