toowong central Archives

$1 Billion Toowong Central Precinct Proposed to Transform Inner West

Public submissions have opened on a proposal to build three high-rise towers on the long-vacant former Woolworths site in Toowong, with residents, neighbours and local businesses invited to have their say until Monday, 8 December.

Read: Toowong Site Sold to Gold Coast Developer as Locals Watch for What Comes Next

The developer is seeking approval for towers ranging from 49 to 58 storeys—more than double the current height limit for the area—and has promoted the project as delivering 40 per cent public open space and 102 per cent green space across the site.

Elements of the Planned Development

The application, lodged by Verso Development Group and designed by Kerry Hill Architects with landscape input from PWP and Urbis, outlines the creation of “Toowong Central,” a 14,126-square-metre precinct bounded by Sherwood Road, Jephson Street, and High Street.

Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A006836692

Central to the proposal (A006836692) are three residential towers rising to 58, 55 and 49 storeys. Together, they would deliver 1,104 apartments across one to four-bedroom layouts, including penthouses.

Each tower would feature “slot gardens” to break up the vertical form, contributing to a subtropical aesthetic. The proposed heights are more than double the 25 storeys permitted under the current Toowong–Auchenflower Neighbourhood Plan.

The development site, now largely vacant, sits directly opposite Toowong Village and the train station. It was previously home to one of the suburb’s earliest supermarkets — a standalone Woolworths that traded until 2017.

At podium level, Toowong Central is planned to host more than 12,000 square metres of retail and dining, anchored by a full-line supermarket, specialty shops, restaurants and cafes. Office tenancies are also proposed, reflecting demand for flexible workplace options in Brisbane’s inner west.

A strong focus has been placed on open space and community areas, with 4,500 square metres of landscaped gardens, rooftop terraces, recreation decks and pools for residents. Four major public spaces are planned, including Sherwood Plaza on Sherwood Road, High Street Park, a civic central plaza, and Jephson Terrace, which steps down to Jephson Street. These areas are designed for outdoor dining, water play, art installations and informal gatherings.

Community Concerns

However, concerns have been raised about the development. Greens MP Michael Berkman points out that while the DA breaches existing height limits, there is no commitment to affordable housing.

He argues that if Council allows towers above the planning cap, at least 25% of the new apartments should be dedicated as affordable homes. On the green space promises, the developers advertise 14,191 m² of “greenspace,” but Berkman calls this misleading.

Only 16.7% of the site would be genuinely public green space, with the rest made up of private gardens, planter boxes, and vertical green walls. He also notes that just 6% of the site is allocated for deep planting—below the 10% code minimum—describing the current approach as “greenwashing.”

Site and Location

Town planning firm Urbis, which prepared an assessment report for Toowong Central Investment Holding Pty Ltd, said the scheme made efficient use of the irregularly shaped block, which fronts three major streets. Landscape architects have described the precinct as an “urban forest” concept, drawing inspiration from Toowong’s history as a gathering place.

With direct access to Toowong Station and the Bicentennial Bikeway, the development aims to establish itself as both a residential hub and lifestyle destination.

Community members are being urged to make formal submissions outlining concerns about urban planning, public amenity and local character, particularly the lack of any public or affordable housing in the proposal, despite the scale of the development and the significant uplift being requested from Council.

Read: Sylvan Road Site Targeted for Medium-Density Development

If approved, Toowong Central would be one of Brisbane’s most significant urban renewal projects, reshaping the suburb’s skyline and redefining its civic heart.

Published 19-October-2025

Updated 26-Nov-2025

Brisbane’s Tallest Suburban Towers on Hold: Toowong Central Redevelopment Update

Plans for the prominent Toowong Central redevelopment have been placed on hold after the developer requested that Brisbane pause its assessment process to review community feedback and planning concerns.

Read: $1 Billion Toowong Central Precinct Proposed to Transform Inner West

The project, located at 47 High Street in Toowong, was scheduled to enter its public consultation phase on 4 November 2025. However, the developer, Toowong Central Investment Holding Pty Ltd, has been granted a stop period of up to 130 business days — a move that could push consultation into mid-2026.

47 High Street (Photo credit: Google Street View)

The decision marks the latest delay for the long-vacant site, which has remained largely unused since the former Woolworths store was demolished several years ago.

A Landmark Proposal

The estimated $1 billion proposal would see three residential towers of 49, 55, and 58 storeys erected on the site, making them among Brisbane’s tallest residential buildings outside the CBD. The scale of the development has drawn intense community and planning attention.

Brisbane has stated the proposed heights are a departure from those anticipated by its City Plan. The Council also flagged further scrutiny of issues such as building setbacks and separation, traffic modelling, heritage impacts (including the former Carver & Co building), and deep-planting/landscaping.

Local residents submitted around 28 formal responses before the pause was requested. Common themes included concern over excessive car-parking provision, demand for increased public open space, improved active and public transport infrastructure, and worry that the project favours private benefit over community outcomes. Some submissions noted that height itself was less of an issue so long as infrastructure and public-benefit outcomes were strong.

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

Developer’s Pause Raises Questions

Towers at Toowong Central Redevelopment (Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online – A006836692)

In October 2025, BCC took the rare step of ordering upfront public notification rather than issuing a standard further-information request, citing the proposal’s scale and the high level of community interest. The request for a stop period came only weeks later.

The stop period mechanism allows the developer to delay assessment for up to 130 business days, but the developer may elect to start public consultation earlier. If the full stop period is used, the Council indicates the notification window would commence on 12 May 2026 and run through to 19 May 2026.

State MP Michael Berkman said the delay reflects unresolved community concerns. “It’s frustrating to see this site continue to sit desolate and disused for even longer, but on the other hand, I think it’s quite telling that the developer doesn’t want to move to public consultation yet. No doubt they’ve realised that their proposal falls well short of community expectations. In my view, it’s a clear sign we can get a better offer.”

Berkman has called for any approval of the towers’ height to be conditional on at least 25 per cent of the homes being genuinely affordable, alongside better deep planting and public space outcomes. Meanwhile, social media commentary from the community has been mixed — some readers lament the delay amid a broader housing-supply shortage, others argue that scrutiny is justified given the project’s size.

What Happens Next

When the consultation phase opens, residents will be able to lodge formal submissions directly to BCC, which must consider this feedback before deciding whether to approve, refuse or require changes to the proposal.

While some members of the community hope the pause will lead to a revised scheme that better balances development ambition with Toowong’s character and liveability, others remain frustrated by the ongoing vacancy. For now, the empty block in the heart of Toowong continues to symbolise the suburb’s growth pressures and the ongoing debate about how Brisbane should evolve.

Published 6-November-2025

Community Sessions Announced for Toowong Central Redevelopment

Photo Credit: CrPennyWolff/Facebook

Community consultations are moving forward on a proposed redevelopment of a 1.4-km, former Woolworths site in Central Toowong.

Public Sessions Confirmed for Redevelopment Proposal

Residents in Toowong will have the opportunity to review and comment on the proposed redevelopment of the Toowong Central site during a series of in-person information sessions scheduled for 11 June 2025. The sessions will be held at Wests Bulldogs Rugby Club on Sylvan Road.

Toowong Central community feedback — *Photo Credit: CrPennyWolff/Facebook*

Organised by project leads Verso Developments and facilitated by engagement firm Three Plus, four 45-minute sessions will run consecutively between 4:00 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. Each session will allow residents to speak one-on-one with members of the project team, including representatives from architecture firm KHA, Urbis, and traffic consultants involved in the site design.

Residents can view concept posters, ask questions, and share their feedback on the plans. Registration is required to attend, and newsletters containing session details will be distributed throughout the area.

Toowong Central site — *Photo Credit: CrPennyWolff/Facebook*

Targeted Group Engagement Also Planned

In addition to public sessions, a focus group discussion will also take place on the morning of the same day. This session will include local organisations such as the Toowong State School P&C, Toowong Residents Association, and the Toowong and District Historical Society. These groups provided early input into the planning process and are being invited to continue contributing feedback during this phase.

Toowong Central Redevelopment — *Photo Credit: CrPennyWolff/Facebook*

Context and Ongoing Community Involvement

The 1.4-hectare site, previously occupied by a Woolworths supermarket, is being redeveloped into a mixed-use precinct. Community input has shaped the early design concepts since early 2024, with hundreds of residents participating through surveys and previous engagement efforts. The upcoming sessions are intended to provide further opportunity for residents to influence planning outcomes before finalisation.

Summary of Next Steps

The consultation on 11 June marks the next formal step in public engagement for the Toowong Central project. Residents are encouraged to register, attend, and provide feedback directly to the project team. Feedback can also be sent via email to info@theheartoftoowong.org.

Published 27-May-2025

Toowong Central Redevelopment Progresses with Community Feedback

Photo Credit: DA/A006427990

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.

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.

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.

“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