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GCB Constructions Crisis Forces Abandonment of Kangaroo Point Luxury Development, Other Projects

Builder GCB Constructions has gone under administration, bringing to a halt six significant development projects, including a Kangaroo Point luxury apartment and hospitals in Moreton Bay and the Sunshine Coast.

The company’s decision has left multiple projects in limbo and developers scrambling to find solutions.

The Gold Coast builder with a decades-long legacy was contracted for various ventures across the east coast. Notably, the company was involved in the ambitious Canopy House project by Aria Property Group in a sought-after area in Kangaroo Point.

In June 2023, Aria submitted a new development application (DA A006305026) for Canopy House’s expansion. The proposal is still under assessment with Council.

GCB Constructions’ financial woes escalated and on 27 July 2023, it went into administration after the suspension of its Queensland builder license due to outstanding debts. The company’s financial struggles had already caused work to slow down or halt altogether on several sites since early May.

Trent Clark, the sole director of GCB Constructions, had initially expressed determination and confidence in overcoming these challenges. However, the company’s financial woes proved insurmountable, leading to the appointment of administrators from SV Partners.

David Stimpson, the appointed administrator, revealed that Mr Clark is planning to propose a deed of company arrangement (DOCA) to avoid liquidation. The DOCA aims to transfer ongoing projects to a new builder, secure third-party funds, liquidate company assets, and collect outstanding payments owed to GCB.

A second meeting with creditors is scheduled for 30 Aug 2023.

Also affected are the Si apartment tower in Bilinga, Rayjon’s Vantage View at Benowa and Vantage Burleigh near Varsity Lakes. The fallout also extends to the medical sector, with contracts for the expansion of Ramsay Health’s Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital and Caboolture Private Hospital being terminated, leaving these vital projects without a builder.

Published 10-Aug-2023

Kangaroo Point’s Lamb House Close to Being Fully Restored to its Former Glory

To owners Steve and Jane Wilson, as the restoration of Lamb House in Kangaroo Point nears completion, the project has been a worthwhile one, with its share of pleasant surprises, such as the discovery of fairly intact, 100-year-old tiles under the bathroom floor; and challenging ones, such as managing ballooning costs that have gone past initial estimates.

Read: Lamb House Set to Return To Its Former Glory

The Wilsons acquired the heritage-listed property for $12.75 million in 2021 and have since invested significant time and money into faithfully restoring the century-old home.

The restoration is “progressing rapidly,” according to the couple, with just months to go before completion and their projected November 2023 move-in.

Lamb House — Photo credit: JDA Co/Facebook

A key focus of the renovation has been the preservation and replacement of the home’s original red cedar woodwork, an important architectural feature noted in the building’s heritage documentation.

Although the Wilsons have not revealed the total cost of the project, Mr Wilson acknowledged it has exceeded their initial budget, as construction costs have risen substantially in recent years.

Among other surprises, when old bathroom tiles were removed, the couple discovered 100-year-old originals underneath, now replaced with new matching tiles.

In one update to the home, the Wilsons added an attic space by opening up the existing roof. They plan to install a leadlight window in the attic, covered by a hardened glass skywalk.

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The driving philosophy behind the renovations has been to be pure to the soul of the house and the intent of the house. The couple enlisted the help of Chapman Builders and designers from James Davidson Architects (JDA Co) and Conrad Gargett to carry out the restoration.

After two years of waiting, the Wilson family is eager to finally move into the renewed Lamb House later this year.

History of Lamb House

Lamb House, circa 1904 (Photo credit: John Oxley Library, State Library of Queensland)

Lamb House, a heritage-listed villa located at 9 Leopard Street in Kangaroo Point, has fallen into disrepair after sitting vacant for several years.

The grand home was originally designed by noted architect Alexander Brown Wilson and constructed in 1902 for John Lamb, co-owner of the successful Queen Street drapery business Edwards & Lamb.

After John Lamb’s death in 1920, he left the business to his sons John and Frank, whilst the Lamb House property was passed on to his widow Sarah. Sarah continued living in the grand home with the Lamb children who never married.

Despite its rich history, Lamb House had become rundown from lack of use and maintenance and was unfortunately subjected to squatting at times.

In December 2020, the Brisbane City Council announced plans to sell the property in order to recover unpaid rates that had accumulated over multiple years, going against the wishes of the original owners. By May 2021, Lamb House was officially listed for sale.

Read: Exploring the Former Kangaroo Point Residence of the Queensland Water Police

When Steve Wilson and his wife Jane purchased Lamb House in June 2021, they pledged to restore the historic home to its original grand condition as a way of honouring its heritage.

Published 8-August-2023

Raymond Park to Become Temporary Warm-Up Venue for 2032 Brisbane Olympics

Photo Credit: Shiftchange [Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication] / wikipedia.org/wiki

Did you know that Raymond Park has been selected to become a temporary warm-up venue for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics?

Situated on the inner southside of Brisbane, a mere 500 metres from the Gabba stadium, Raymond Park will take on a crucial role as a training ground for track-and-field athletes during the upcoming international sporting event.

Traditionally, warm-up tracks are positioned close to Olympic athletic venues. Space constraints around the Gabba stadium, however, have led to the selection of Raymond Park instead.

A temporary four-lane track, boasting six-lane straight and complete warm-up facilities will be constructed.

Opting for a four-lane track with a six-lane straight, the Organising Committee remains in alignment with International Federation requirements whilst minimising disruption to residents and preserving the park’s trees.

Raymond Park Selected as Temporary Olympic Warm-Up Venue for Brisbane 2032 Games — Photo Credit: Facebook / Amy MacMahon – Greens MP for South Brisbane

Assurances have also been made by the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, Brisbane City Council, and the State government that there will be no resumptions of homes to make room for the temporary facilities.

To ensure the sports facility fits perfectly within the park’s existing dimensions and alleviate concerns about potential housing loss, proposals for a thinner track are also being explored.

The plan also provides for protection of the park’s heritage structures as well as a brand new clubhouse for the Kangaroo Point Rovers Football Club.

In the period leading up to the Games, the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee is expected to maintain a close partnership with the Queensland government to keep the community well-informed about the planning and progress of the warm-up facilities.

Praising the residents of Kangaroo Point for their cooperation and patience during the planning phase, Andrew Liveris, the President of the Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee, emphasised the commitment to being excellent neighbours and upholding transparency throughout the process.

Published 7-August-2023

Approved Kangaroo Point Shoptop Development to Include Full-Line Woolworths Store

Did you know that a new full-line Woolworths supermarketwill soon be built along Prospect Street in Kangaroo Point? The store will be part of a larger planned development, which will also include more than 130 new apartments across 17 storeys.

Read: Woolworths Unveils Bold Housing Solution Anchored by Kangaroo Point Development

Originally, the supermarket was only going to be a smaller Woolworths Metro store. However, the developer Fabcot, a subsidiary of Woolworths, amended the plans in 2021 to allow for a larger, full-line store totaling around 2,600 sq m of commercial space.

Fabcot was able to expand the project after acquiring an additional lot near the original site on Ferry St.

Brisbane City Council initially approved only 10 storeys for 23-31 Ferry St in December 2021, which included 53 apartments, three levels of parking, and a supermarket. However, the council has now greenlit plans to increase the number of apartments to 130, 77 more than originally proposed.

Changes in overall height (Photo credit: Cottee Parker)

According to documents filed with Council, the extra land allowed the developer to add more residential apartments on each floor whilst still meeting zoning requirements.

The total land area is now over 3,000 sqm with frontages along Ferry, Prospect, and Deakin Streets. Part of the land will be reserved for future road expansions.

The town planners said the larger store will help serve the strong local customer base in the area that currently lacks a full-line supermarket option.

Construction on the shoptop project, designed by architects at Cottee Parker, will happen in two stages, with the Woolworths store and other ground floor retail slated to open first. The remaining residential apartments and amenities like a rooftop pool and gym will be built in stage two.

Read: 40 Years of Patience Pays Off as Brisbane Woman Puts Kangaroo Point Apartment Block Up For Sale

The developer aims to have the supermarket operational ahead of completing the apartments above.

Published 4-August-2023

Kangaroo Point Homes Spared From Demolition for Olympics Development

Photo Credit: Wikimedia Commons

Kangaroo Point homeowners can breathe a sigh of relief following the confirmation that their properties will be spared from demolition, which would have paved the way for the construction of the athletics warm-up track for the highly anticipated 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The updated plans for the Raymond Park transformation were released Monday, 31 July 2023, putting an end to weeks of uncertainty and vocal protests from residents who were vehemently opposing the potential loss of their homes and public green space.

Initially, there were fears among Kangaroo Point homeowners that their homes would be among those resumed to accommodate the temporary warm-up facilities. The decision to utilise Raymond Park as the warm-up venue was necessitated by the lack of available space around the nearby Gabba Stadium, which is set to undergo a substantial reconstruction at an estimated cost of $2.7 billion.

However, Brisbane 2032 Organising Committee president Andrew Liveris reassured the residents, stating that no home resumptions would be required.

“Heritage structures within the park will remain in place, and the Queensland Government will work with the local football club to build a new clubhouse within Raymond Park,” Liveris said.

“Importantly, there are no expected impacts for Raymond Park until much closer to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“We are committed to being good neighbours to the residents of Raymond Park and will work closely with the Queensland Government to ensure the community is kept informed of planning and progress over the coming years.”

Deputy Premier Steven Miles also confirmed that the revised plans for the Olympics refurbishments “will fit in Raymond Park without resuming houses.” The updated plans would include a thinner track to fit within the current dimensions of the park, thus minimizing impacts on residents and preserving larger, older fig trees. Any impacted trees will be relocated, replanted, or replaced to ensure no net loss.

Despite the relief of no home resumptions, Kangaroo Point homeowners were still vocal about their concerns regarding the scale of the proposed development.

Local Greens MP Amy MacMahon, who has been actively championing their cause, expressed her disappointment with the complete overhaul of Raymond Park. She supported a petition to save the park that garnered over 3,000 signatures.

“This design doesn’t address what the community has been calling for – the scrapping of the $2.7 billion Gabb redevelopment, saving Raymond Park, saving East Brisbane State School, and saving billions in public money,” MacMahon said.

“Hopefully it’s fact and cannot wait for the official notification from the state government,” Kangaroo Point resident Marcia Pavlos said on the Friends of Raymond Park, Kangaroo Point group. “This is a massive breakthrough and is life changing for those who have endured much stress, sleep deprivation and adverse health issues just knowing that we could be displaced just like that for a temporary facility.

“Some sanity seems to have prevailed and consideration and some respect have finally been shown to affected local residents. The fight continues though with saving the school and park. We will keep the community spirit going until the crazy plan for the Gabba is abolished and athletics is moved to another venue.”

Published 1-Aug-2023

Paralympian Karni Liddell Pleads for Help After Mobility Vehicle Stolen Again from Kangaroo Point Home

Paralympic swimmer and disability advocate Karni Liddell is pleading for more community support after her specially designed mobility vehicle was stolen from a secure parking area in Kangaroo Point.

Read: 40 Years of Patience Pays Off as Brisbane Woman Puts Kangaroo Point Apartment Block Up For Sale

This is the second time in nine months that Liddell has been targeted by thieves. Back in October 2022, two men stole her accessible car and discarded her electric wheelchair onto the road.

This latest incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on 22 July, when an unidentified white male between the ages of 25-35 stole Liddell’s mobility trike from her house’s basement parking area.

“I’m numb, I feel violated and unsafe but I’m ok and thanks so much for your messages of support,” said Liddell in a social media post.

“There are so many expensive, resellable, unsecure or less secure bikes in the basement and everyone involved with this case is baffled as to why he targeted and stole my disability trike in which he didn’t have a key for, so it would have been manual, super heavy and practically impossible to ride, unsellable and uncool.”

Some women’s jeans and a skateboard were even left behind at the scene. Liddell confirmed DNA has been taken from the skateboard.

Liddell relies on the custom mobility vehicle to safely navigate the hilly Kangaroo Point neighbourhood. But after this latest incident, she says she will need to rely on others for basic tasks.

Read: Exploring the Former Kangaroo Point Residence of the Queensland Water Police

The community came together to support Liddell after her mobility device was stolen. Many offered kind words of empathy, hoping her device would be found and returned soon. Others generously volunteered their time and effort to assist in the search for Liddell’s stolen mobility vehicle.

This latest theft has Liddell calling for more community support and interventions for at-risk youth. Liddell hopes this incident will raise awareness about the challenges faced by people with disabilities and spur discussions on how to better support vulnerable community members.

Published 26-July-2023

40 Years of Patience Pays Off as Brisbane Woman Puts Kangaroo Point Apartment Block Up For Sale

After four decades of patience and persistence, a Brisbane woman’s vision of owning an entire block of Kangaroo Point riverfront apartments was finally realised last year, when she acquired the last piece of her riverfront puzzle. Now the prime riverfront apartment block is up for sale, an extraordinary investment opportunity that’s hard to come by.

Read: Exploring the Former Kangaroo Point Residence of the Queensland Water Police

Local Christine Loman first set her sights on a prime 797-sqm parcel at 4 MacDonald Street, Kangaroo Point back in 1981, purchasing the first of six apartments at the site for $56,000.

Over the next 40 years, Loman slowly acquired the remaining units as opportunities arose, paying as much as $900,000 for the final piece of her riverfront puzzle last year. All told, Loman invested over $2.5 million to assemble the full block.

Photo credit: domain.com.au

She was drawn to the unique peninsula-like quality of Kangaroo Point, the feeling of being on an island surrounded by the river and yet so close to the city. Although her dreams of developing the property never materialised, Loman is now poised to sell the consolidated site and pass the torch to a new custodian.

The rare offering at Kangaroo Point riverfront is being marketed by JLL agents Tim Jones and Harry Borger as a luxury development opportunity.

Brisbane’s luxury apartment market continues to surge ahead, as real estate agents observe record sales prices and rates per square meter month after month.

Read: Sydney-Based Developer, Fortis, Lodges a Kangaroo Point Riverfront Apartment Tower Proposal

The timing appears ideal, as 2023 has already seen four penthouse sales over $10 million, including a New Farm record of $16.52 million. With scarcity of riverfront land increasing, Loman’s 40-year labour of love may become one of Kangaroo Point’s most exclusive addresses. Her perseverance has likely paid off handsomely.

Published 21-July-2023

Woolworths Unveils Bold Housing Solution Anchored by Kangaroo Point Development

Woolworths is set to construct apartment buildings above its supermarkets in key metropolitan areas, and one standout location, in particular, is captivating public attention: Kangaroo Point in Brisbane.

In a groundbreaking move that could redefine urban living, Woolworths, the prominent supermarket giant, has discreetly unveiled an ambitious strategy to address Australia’s housing crisis and the picturesque suburb situated along the scenic Brisbane River has become the focal point of Woolworths’ grand vision.

The company is moving full steam ahead with demolishing disused buildings on the site, securing the necessary approvals to bring this transformative project to life. In October 2022, Woolworths lodged DA A006119261 to build a high-density residential and mixed-use facility along 23-31 Ferry Street and 16-30 Prospect Street in Kangaroo Point.

Kangaroo Point Woolworths — Photo Credit: DA A006119261

“The site is in a well-positioned location that boasts strong connections to the river, CBD, Howard Smith Wharves dining precinct, the Story Bridge and a variety of walking and cycling paths,” the town planner Urbis noted in the DA.

The proposal included a 17-storey residential building with a rooftop garden, offices spaces, food, beverage and retail tenancies, and the supermarket.

As of press time, the DA is under assessment with Council following the submission of its amended plans in June 2023.

Whilst the plan has the potential to provide a solution to the housing crisis, it has been met with mixed feelings from the residents.

“I support the Woolworths mixed use project as Brisbane needs an ongoing pipeline of housing supply. This is a great project for the community,” a local wrote in the public submission for the DA.

“Keep it to the supermarket and a few residental floors and we will support,” one resident who opposed the 17-storey plan said. “Increase residential floors [means] increased traffic chaos and smaller supermarket without independent cafe and there is no longer a net overall benefit to the local community.”

As Australia faces an estimated shortage of 106,000 homes by 2027, Woolworths sees an opportunity to leverage its resources and become a significant player in the property development landscape.

The concept of “shop-top housing” or mixed-use developments, where residential spaces coexist with retail outlets, could potentially become a trend as the population grows and demands easier access to amenities and services. Communities, however, have shown aversion toward the idea, expressing concerns about increased traffic congestion and the transformation of residential areas into commercial zones.

Despite the challenges, Woolworths remains undeterred and already has multiple projects in the pipeline, aside from Kangaroo Point. In Sydney, the company plans to build apartments in Waterloo, Rose Bay, and Neutral Bay. Melbourne’s Elsternwick is also part of their development plans.

Published 18-July-2023

Exploring the Former Kangaroo Point Residence of the Queensland Water Police

Police presence in Kangaroo Point began in the late 19th century. In the early 20th century, the Queensland Water Police became responsible for investigating smuggling, maritime lawbreaking, and seamen desertion. Its Kangaroo Point home, constructed in 1901 at a location that was formerly home to a public bath, remained in use until 1988 and is now a heritage-listed building.

Read: Lamb House Restoration Nears Completion

Originally, the Kangaroo Point structure was assembled using building materials sourced from the Marine Department Messenger’s house. With four rooms, two verandahs, and a kitchen, the 1901 build was a modest dwelling that provided shelter for the Water Police officers tasked with maintaining peace and order on the waterways.

By 1939, the heritage-listed building had evolved into what was then referred to as the Senior Sergeant’s quarters. An inspection report from that time described it as a wooden structure with an iron roof, boasting four main rooms, three verandah rooms, a bathroom, and a breakfast room.

In addition to the main residence, a galvanised iron laundry was constructed underneath the house, featuring conveniently placed cement tubs. These practical additions made the daily routines of the Water Police officers more efficient and streamlined.

For almost nine decades, the Queensland Water Police residence stood as a steadfast home for the dedicated police officers who patrolled the rivers and coastline. However, in June 1988, the residence’s chapter as a police dwelling came to a close.

With the passing of time, the needs and priorities of the Water Police had evolved, prompting a relocation to a more modern facility better suited to their operations.

In October 1993, both the property and the adjacent lockup were put up for sale, inviting potential buyers to seize the opportunity to own a piece of Queensland’s maritime heritage.

History of Water Police

Water Police rowing down the Brisbane River toward the sea, 1906 (Photo credit: Queensland Water Police)

The Queensland Water Police has been serving the community since 1859. Its origins can be traced back to the transportation of convicts to Brisbane, which necessitated a permanent police presence in Queensland.

Initially, from 1824 to 1842, law and order in the areas surrounding Brisbane were maintained by military commandants. In the 19th century, the Queensland Water Police were responsible for investigating smuggling, maritime lawbreaking, and seamen desertion.

In 1842, Captain J.C. Wickham, a Royal Navy officer, was appointed as the Police Magistrate for Moreton Bay. With a salary of £300 per annum, he oversaw a team consisting of a chief constable and five constables from the New South Wales Force.

Read: Aria’s Canopy House in Kangaroo Point Soars Higher in Planned Expansion

Fast forward to December 1859, when Queensland officially separated from New South Wales. Despite the separation, the police force of the newly established state was not considered an independent entity until the implementation of ‘The Police Act of 1863’. It was only after this legislation that the term ‘Police Force’ encompassed the Water Police Force as well.

Published 5-July-2023

Aria’s Canopy House in Kangaroo Point Soars Higher in Planned Expansion

Photo Credit: Aria Property Group

The Canopy House apartment tower, currently under construction in Kangaroo Point, could have an additional nine levels, creating a taller, 29-level structure and increasing the previously approved residential density at a high-visibility corner of Leopard Street.

Leopard Street has been identified as a key artery connecting the city to the 2032 Olympic Games precinct. Because of this, the project will receive high visibility from the masses of people and media during the Olympic and Paralympic Games, as well as regular sporting events.

Aria Property Group is seeking approval for an expansion of its development at 58-62 Leopard Street. This expansion, via DA A006305026, would result in the creation of 36 additional apartments, increasing the residential density from the approved 105 apartments to 136.

The new apartments would be distributed across seven additional floors, accompanied by the provision of more car parking spaces, which would require an additional podium level.

In addition to the increased capacity, Aria also aims to expand the communal recreational amenity across two levels. The rooftop would feature an infinity pool, daybeds, a residents’ dining room and lounge, picnic lawns, and barbecue terraces.

Below the rooftop, a health and wellness centre is proposed to include a gym, treatment room, sauna, steam room, hot and cold plunge pools, work-from-home offices, a boardroom, and a private cinema.

Kangaroo Point Aria Canopy House — Photo Credit: Aria Property

Aria’s upsized tower scheme is designed to reflect the recent significant changes in the future planning of the locality and the site’s importance as a key gateway to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games precinct.

The site falls within the mapped expansion of the Woolloongabba Priority Development Area (PDA), which is expected to be officially declared later this year.

Town planners have acknowledged that recent events, such as housing supply and affordability issues; new inner-city housing strategies; sustainable growth precincts; priority development areas; and Olympic-related investments have significantly altered the area’s desired development form and scale.

Aria’s revised proposal aligns with the shifting strategic planning framework for the Kangaroo Point South Neighbourhood Plan. The outdated Kangaroo Point South Neighbourhood Plan no longer reflects the community’s expectations for the locality.

The report prepared by Saunders Havill Group, Aria’s town planners, emphasises that the changing circumstances call for a departure from the previous planning documents and a focus on development outcomes that support the future vision of the city.

Brisbane’s inner city is set to undergo significant changes, with new planning strategies and the replacement of outdated frameworks expected to result in increased building heights, density, walkability, and liveability.

The Woolloongabba Sustainable Growth Precinct planning, currently being assisted by the Brisbane City Council, will likely replace the Kangaroo Point South Neighbourhood Plan.

With Aria’s upscaled plans for the Canopy House apartment tower, Brisbane’s Olympic precinct takes another step towards its transformation into a modern and vibrant hub, poised to leave an exceptional legacy for the area and its residents.

Published 5-July-2023