Toowong Central Redevelopment Progresses with Community Feedback

A major redevelopment at the former Woolworths site in Toowong is progressing, with updated plans incorporating community input on public space, design, and facilities.



New Ownership and Ongoing Planning at Toowong Central

Toowong’s former Woolworths supermarket site—spanning 1.4 hectares and bordered by High Street, Sherwood Road and Jephson Street—is undergoing significant transformation.

Since acquiring the site in late 2023, the new private owners have initiated early planning to convert the area into a mixed-use commercial, retail and residential precinct. This follows earlier challenges, including non-compliance with prior approval conditions related to site upkeep and fencing.

BCC has confirmed that the current owners were not responsible for conditions before their acquisition. A change application (A006427990) submitted in December 2023 is currently under assessment, with BCC emphasising that any amendments must deliver improved safety and visual amenity.

Toowong Central plans
Photo Credit: DA/A006427990

Community Engagement and Design Concepts

Community involvement has played a central role in shaping the future of the Toowong Central site. Since early 2024, hundreds of residents have contributed via surveys and local events. Feedback focused on character, open spaces and facilities.

Preliminary concepts include a 2,800m² public space featuring an activated retail zone and a subtropical landscape design. One feature under consideration is an interactive “water veil” with night-time lighting. Plans also suggest fewer, taller buildings, creating space for a central town square accessible from High and Jephson Streets.

Public vs Private: Ownership and Access

The proposed public space within the redevelopment is privately owned, despite being publicly accessible. This has raised questions among locals about long-term access rights and maintenance responsibilities.

Comparisons have been drawn to other Brisbane sites such as West Village in West End (2,118m² of public space) and Gasworks Plaza in Newstead (2,230m²), both of which operate under similar public-private arrangements.

commercial plans
Photo Credit: DA/A006427990

Local Sentiment and Feedback

Online community discussions have reflected a mix of enthusiasm and concern. Some residents have questioned whether the greenery will feel authentic and spacious compared to existing developments. 

Others are eager for construction to begin, citing the need for new housing. In response to community queries, city official Penny Wolff confirmed that the number of storeys in the new buildings is yet to be determined.

Toowong Central site
Photo Credit: CrPennyWolff/Facebook

BCC has stated that community input opportunities will continue once design and planning advance. Residents are encouraged to have their say. Feedback can be sent to info@theheartoftoowong.org.

Next Steps for Toowong Central



While the current design is still in development, further updates are expected as the planning application progresses. The project aims to strike a balance between housing growth, accessibility and lifestyle quality in the Toowong area.

Published 28-Mar-2025

‘Better Uses’ Than Parking at Toowong Central Site, Say Residents

A debate is unfolding over plans to construct a temporary parking station at the former Woolworths site in Toowong Central. 


Read: Stalled Development at Toowong Site Sparks Community Debate


When public consultations came to a close on May 14, nearly 30 submissions from Toowong residents were received, mostly objecting to the development application.

Aerial photograph of site (Photo credit: Brisbane City Council/Urbis)

“I believe there are better uses for the space, such as creating a communal area,” said one resident. “There is an opportunity here to enhance the Toowong neighbourhood and benefit the community – something yet another car park will not achieve.”

Plans call for 86 standard parking spaces, four disabled spots, and four motorcycle spaces accessed via existing crossovers on Sherwood Road, High Street, and Jephson Street. The parking station at Toowong Central would operate 24/7 under third-party management.

Plan (Photo credit: Egis)

The site lies adjacent to the Toowong Tower, Village Shopping Centre, Royal Exchange Hotel, Toowong Train Station and other residential and commercial developments at the core of the Toowong Centre Precinct. 

“The intersection of High Street and Coronation Drive is regularly congested – even outside peak traffic hours – from cars entering Toowong village, and traffic on Jephson street and Sherwood street is regularly backed up due to the various intersections around the block of Toowong Village,” another resident wrote in their submission.

Photo credit: Google Street View

“Adding even more traffic – especially around peak times – by adding a carpark would render the entire area to be unusable for cars, and would mean that public transport (specifically the many buses that travel along High Street and Moggill Road) is severely impacted,” the resident added.

Planners claim the temporary parking will “assist with the activation of the site” and improve accessibility for nearby businesses and commuters until further development occurs.

However, Greens MP Michael Berkman questioned the need, stating “Pretty baffling given there’s a giant multi-level car park just across the road at Toowong Village.” 


Read: Toowong Village Named State’s Top Retail Property After Major Makeover


As the discussion continues, the Toowong community finds itself divided between developers seeking to provide convenient parking and residents hoping to preserve greenspace and community amenities in one of Brisbane’s most rapidly densifying suburbs.

Published 14-May-2024