Final plans for a massive expansion at St Joseph’s College at Gregory Terrace in Brisbane have been released. The masterplan proposes to roll out development over at least 15 years.
The master plan proposal for the Spring Hill campus has attracted controversy. Some of the College’s neighbours expressed concern the development will negatively impact traffic and street parking in the area. There are to be several new multi-storey buildings and additional learning spaces at the site.
A Ministerial Infrastructure Designation has been lodged with the Queensland Government. It means the proposal bypasses local council legislation and limits public rights of appeal. It also allows development encompassing the land need not require further planning approvals for the works. Schools and hospitals often choose this pathway for development.
The revised MID was submitted in June following public consultation and engagement surveys of the original masterplan.
Series of building projects to be staged over 15 years
The masterplan proposal includes a series of building projects that will be scheduled in stages over 15 or more years. The proposal seeks medium- to long-term planning for the provision of new educations features across the College’s campus land holdings. It involves the demolition and refurbishment of several existing buildings, as well as the construction of new facilities. Included are learning spaces, indoor and outdoor recreation facilities, and improvements to accessibility across the campus.
A five-storey building and upgrades to the Westcourt Building on Water Street
Designed by Macksey Rush Architects, a five-storey building on Water Street is proposed. It would include new classrooms for science, technology, engineering and Maths (STEM), as well as an indoor sports facility, and manual arts classrooms. It also proposes to connect to the Tony White Building, and includes 69 basement car parks.
The Westcourt Building at Water Street will form part of a new administration and office for the College. The masterplan proposal includes an additional storey and 227 square-metres of gross floor area.
Additional levels and an eight-storey building at Waterford Place
The Waterford Place I building on Water Street will increase to four storeys and include a future cultural precinct, and new music and sporting facilities.
Waterford Place II is a new eight-storey building. It’s expected this building will be a year-specific facility. The existing car park will be demolished, and extensive earthworks are required.
The first stage of this development commenced earlier this year, with completion expected in 2024. Completion of Stage 2 could take up to 15 years.
Town planners, Ethos Urban, says the proposal focuses on providing “high-quality, flexible learning spaces, indoor and outdoor recreation spaces, improving accessibility and making better use of the campus land and facilities”.
About St Joseph’s College
St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace is a Catholic day school for boys. It was founded by the Christian Brothers in 1875.
The school currently has approximately 1,670 students from Years 5 to 12. There are roughly 200 teaching and non-teaching staff members.
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