For many in Brisbane’s north, Toombul was more than a shopping centre. The long-vacant Nundah site is now being shaped for a new chapter, with plans for a retail-led precinct that would bring shops, dining, open space and stronger connections back to one of the area’s most familiar locations.
Toombul’s Next Chapter Begins In Nundah
For decades, Toombul was part of everyday life in Brisbane’s northern suburbs. It was a place for groceries, errands, food court stops, bus connections and casual catch-ups, sitting beside Kedron Brook and close to surrounding neighbourhoods that had long relied on it as a local hub.
That role changed after the 2022 Brisbane floods, when the former Toombul Shopping Centre closed and was later demolished. The large site at 1015 Sandgate Road has remained one of Nundah’s most closely watched vacant properties, with many locals waiting to see what would happen next.
A new direction is now taking shape, with Irvine Group preparing a master plan for a staged redevelopment of the flood-affected site. The proposal is being framed around a renewed retail precinct, public spaces, dining, transport links and flood-resilient design.
Irvine Group acquired the site in late 2025 and is working with Urbis on the planning process. The master plan is intended to set the broader structure for the precinct, including future land uses, building areas, public spaces and how people would move through the site.
The first-stage application has not yet been lodged. Current project details indicate it is expected to be lodged in late July 2026, with assessment to follow before any construction can begin.
Retail Remains At The Heart Of The Toombul Plan
The proposed first stage is focused on bringing retail back to Toombul. Current details point to a department store, supermarket or grocery store, food court and specialty retail tenancies as part of the initial retail precinct.
No specific tenants have been confirmed. The final mix of shops is expected to be settled closer to each stage of delivery, once detailed designs are further progressed and market conditions are clearer.
The broader plan also includes dining areas, public spaces, landscaped areas, pedestrian links and residential components. While residential uses are proposed as part of the wider site, the main focus remains on restoring Toombul as a place for everyday shopping, services and social activity.
The site has been identified as serving a primary catchment that includes Nundah, Clayfield, Kalinga, Hendra and Northgate, reflecting its long-standing role across Brisbane’s inner north.
Flood Resilience Shapes The Future Site
Any return of Toombul must also respond to the site’s flood history. The former centre was heavily affected by major flooding, and the new proposal places flood resilience at the centre of the design approach.
The future precinct is expected to consider building form, site levels, layout and landscape treatments to improve how the site performs during major rain events. The project is planned as a multi-year redevelopment, delivered progressively in stages.
Green and open space is also proposed along the Kedron Brook edge of the site. Plans point to landscaped areas, shaded spaces and improved pedestrian movement, with the precinct intended to feel more open and easier to navigate than a traditional enclosed shopping centre.
The proposal also includes stronger links through the site and better connections to existing transport, including the Toombul bus interchange and nearby Toombul Train Station.
A Familiar Local Hub Reimagined
Community feedback is now part of the planning process, with residents being encouraged to register for updates and share what shops, services and public spaces they would like to see included.
The project team has acknowledged strong local interest in the return of everyday retailers similar to those that operated at the former centre. However, no retailers have been formally named.
Construction is being targeted for April 2027, subject to the first-stage application being lodged and assessed. Until then, the project remains in the planning phase, with the master plan intended to guide Toombul’s gradual return as a retail, dining and community-focused precinct.
The proposal marks a significant step towards a renewed use for a site that has carried both practical and personal importance for generations of locals.
Published 26-May-2026
