Toombul Archives - Nundah News

Community Outcry Leads Mirvac to Prohibit Guard Dogs at Toombul Site

National developer Mirvac has prohibited the use of security dogs by a contractor at the Toombul shopping centre site, currently under demolition, following public outrage sparked by a viral photograph.

The decision came after a distressing image, shared by local resident Kelly Harris, depicted a visibly emaciated dog confined within a small cage. The incident occurred on Monday evening, June the 17th, leading to substantial backlash from the community.

In her account, Ms Harris noted the presence of security personnel who appeared unresponsive to the distressed animal. This inaction prompted her to document and share the incident, which has since led to significant public and media reaction.

Ms Harris expressed her shock and distress upon witnessing the dog’s condition. The dog was unable to stand or shift position within the cage. The situation was exacerbated when the dog, in its agitation, partially forced open the cage door while still tethered to it.

Toombul Shopping Centre — *Photo Credit: Kelly Harris/Facebook*

Earlier in the week, Mirvac justified the use of cages as necessary for the safe transport of security dogs, meant to be temporary only. However, facing intense scrutiny and media attention, the developer revised its stance.

By Thursday, Mirvac contacted the RSPCA to aid in any ensuing investigations and reassured the public of its commitment to animal welfare.

A Mirvac spokesperson expressed deep concern over the images and eyewitness accounts of the security dog’s treatment at their Toombul site. Mirvac has directed its main contractor and their security provider to immediately cease the use of security dogs. Additionally, they plan to enhance other security measures to maintain the site’s security legally.

The demolition of the Toombul shopping centre has attracted so-called urban explorers, posing additional security challenges. Mirvac anticipates the demolition to conclude by late this year or early 2025, highlighting the site’s dangers to trespassers due to structural instabilities.

Mirvac emphasised the importance of site safety and responsible animal handling. The company stated that their contractor’s security team uses canine units that are transported in cages for strictly short durations, in compliance with a rigorous animal welfare code. Mirvac assured that all practices concerning the welfare of working animals are upheld to the highest standards.

Published 23-June-2024

Surprise Announcement: Special Police Activity at Toombul Shopping Centre

Mirvac recently confirmed the impending demolition of flood-ravaged Toombul Shopping Centre, at the same time ruling out any explosive demolition due to mould issues within the structure. However, in an unexpected turn of events, an announcement was made that special operations police will be making their presence known in the area.

The Special Emergency Response Team, bomb squad, dog squad, and Public Safety Response Team of the Queensland Police Services are set to carry out a four-day training exercise this February 2024 at the Toombul Shopping Centre.

These specialised units often conduct scenario-based training in vacant or derelict buildings, and this time, Toombul will serve as their training ground.

Live ammunition or explosives will NOT be used during these exercises.

Residents Notified of Police Activity

Residents were recently informed through letterbox notifications of the police activity scheduled to take place between 17 to 21 February 2024, from 9 am to 4 pm daily. The notifications indicated that there might be loud noises during this period, and residents may notice an increased police presence in the local area.

In addition to the police activity, three telecommunications companies, Waveconn, Telstra, and TPG, are in the final stages of preliminary work at the Sandgate Rd site to ensure uninterrupted mobile phone coverage. The demolition process will commence with minor tasks such as disconnecting services within the site and removing some interior fittings and fixtures.

Demolition Plans and Future Development

Mirvac has selected Rosenlund Contractors Pty Ltd to handle the demolition works, which will occur six days a week from 6.30 am to 6.30 pm. Approved plans indicate that the Toombul bus interchange and associated roads will be retained.

Although no development application has been submitted yet, it is expected that Mirvac will seek approval for a mixed-use project to replace the 56-year-old shopping centre. This project may include public green space, residential areas, and a smaller retail component.

Published 6-Feb-2024

Push Grows for Housing for the Needy on Toombul Site

Efforts to revamp the site of the damaged Toombul Shopping Centre, which was severely affected during the February 2022 flood event, are gaining momentum with support from various quarters.

The proposed transformation aims to create a vibrant precinct featuring social and affordable housing solutions, with significant implications for the Toombul community and Queensland. This initiative comes as a response to the growing need for affordable housing in the region.

Reflecting on his personal history, Premier Steven Miles mentioned his early employment at a café situated within the Toombul Shopping Centre and expressed his sentiment regarding its loss. Despite this, he underlined the potential of the site, particularly given its expansive size and proximity to a train station.

“It is a large piece of land with a train station – and that is exactly the kind of land that we want to see developed, and developed with affordability in mind and with a share of those properties to be social and public housing,” Mr Miles said.

Mirvac to Reveal Toombul Shopping Centre Redevelopment Plans Soon — Photo Credit: Mirvac

Private Ownership and Governmental Collaboration

Notably, the land in question is privately owned by the developer Mirvac. Mr Miles welcomed Housing and Planning Minister Meaghan Scanlon’s commitment to collaborate with Mirvac.

Minister Scanlon expressed her intent to utilise her planning powers and social housing budget to assist in this venture. The Premier emphasised the significance of granting the Housing Minister planning powers, which could provide her with the necessary flexibility to expedite development approval.

While Brisbane City Council approved the demolition of the Toombul Shopping Centre in 2023, the precise future of the site remains uncertain. Minister Scanlon has not yet met with Mirvac to finalise the transformation of the location into residential accommodation featuring social and affordable housing.

However, she enthusiastically declared her readiness to present the proposal to the developer, citing the urgent need to address Queensland’s housing shortage. She also extended her willingness to engage with other developers interested in contributing to the cause.

Awaiting Mirvac’s Decision

A spokesperson for Mirvac stated that the company has not yet determined the future use of the once-iconic shopping centre.

The fate of the Toombul site now hinges on the collaborative efforts of the state government, private developers, and local authorities as they seek to create a more inclusive and affordable housing landscape for Queensland residents.

Published 29-Jan-2024

Kmart Initiates $10 Million Lawsuit Against Mirvac, Alleging Breach Over Toombul Flood Closure

Retail giant Kmart Australia Limited (Kmart), a subsidiary of Wesfarmers, has filed a lawsuit against Mirvac Retail Sub SPV Pty Ltd and Mirvac Capital Pty Ltd, part of the ASX-listed Mirvac group, over the closure of Toombul Shopping Centre due to flood damage.

The lawsuit, which seeks $10 million in compensation, alleges that Mirvac breached their lease agreement by closing the shopping centre. This lawsuit unfolds 18 months after Toombul Shopping Centre’s closure was initially announced due to extensive flood damage.

The Lease Dispute: Kmart vs. Mirvac

Kmart contends that it had a valid lease agreement with Mirvac until February 2027. In the claim filed in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Friday, 15 Dec 2023, Kmart asserts that Mirvac should compensate them for the loss of profit that the discount department store would have earned during the lease period.

They argue that this compensation should be based on the anticipated trading if the store had reopened after flood damage occurred on 25 and 27 Feb 2022.

Kmart further alleges that Mirvac’s estimate of the loss of profit during this time amounts to $13.4 million, reduced to $10.1 million in net present value.

According to Kmart, had the lease been in effect in April 2023, when Mirvac settled its insurance claim for flood damage, Mirvac would have breached the lease by not using the insurance payout to repair and rebuild the shopping centre.

Insurance and Repudiation: The Key Claims

Kmart’s lawsuit claims that Mirvac’s insurer had agreed to indemnify Mirvac concerning the flood damage. However, in April 2023, Mirvac informed Kmart that it had settled its insurance claim with insurer FM Insurance but could not disclose the dollar value due to confidentiality.

Kmart had already accepted Mirvac’s repudiation of the Toombul lease on 8 Sept 2022 but maintained that Mirvac’s decision to permanently close the shopping centre constituted a significant loss due to repudiatory conduct.

Mirvac’s Decision and Future Plans

Mirvac, a prominent player in Australian real estate with a portfolio exceeding $11.9 billion, announced the permanent closure of Toombul Shopping Centre on 9 June 2022.

CEO Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz cited extensive damage to crucial infrastructure such as electricity, fire, and escalators, along with the risk of future flooding, as reasons behind the decision.

Kmart asserts that Mirvac’s decision to close Toombul Shopping Centre represented an unequivocal intention not to fulfil its lease obligations, including using insurance funds to rebuild the centre. To date, no defence has been filed against Kmart’s claims, and a hearing date has not been scheduled.

Future Developments: Toombul’s Transformation

Mirvac’s acquisition of the 9.9-hectare Toombul Centre in 2016 marked a significant investment. On 18 July 2023, Brisbane City Council approved Mirvac’s application to demolish the former shopping centre, including buildings, car parks, and shade sails.

Post-demolition, Mirvac plans to create a temporary park in the southeast corner of the site and will fence it off until approvals for the new development, still in the design phase, are obtained. The approved plans include retaining the Toombul bus interchange and associated roads.

Kmart’s Financial Performance

Despite the legal battle surrounding Toombul Shopping Centre, Kmart performs well. In the 2022-2023 financial year, Kmart posted $8.3 billion in sales, representing a remarkable 22 per cent increase, while earnings at the Kmart Group, including Target, surged by 53 per cent.

Furthermore, in August, Wesfarmers reported that Kmart’s sales growth remained strong at the beginning of the 2024 financial year.

Published 24-Dec-2023

Toombul Shopping Centre Demolition Approved, Mirvac Commits to Future Retail in Redevelopment Plan

The flood-ravaged Toombul Shopping Centre has been given the green light for demolition, signalling the beginning of a new chapter for the shopping centre in Brisbane’s north.

The demolition process is expected to be a meticulous one, as the derelict structure will be taken down piece by piece rather than through a single blow. The decision comes after the site was left uninhabitable due to extensive flooding in February 2022, leaving lower levels submerged in water, causing severe damage and mould growth.

Mirvac’s development application to demolish all structures on the site was submitted in April 2023, and the Council’s approval on 19th July 2023 now paves the way for the commencement of demolition later this year. The company has not yet disclosed the exact start and completion dates for the demolition.

“We expect demolition to commence later in the year once the considerations noted above have been resolved. We will advise the community when we have a start date. The demolition program is estimated to take approximately 12 months to complete depending on progress and weather conditions,” the company said in a statement.

Before the demolition begins, Mirvac must address several considerations, including the relocation of existing telecommunications towers and coordination with service providers like AirTrain to ensure the safety and efficiency of the demolition work near their infrastructure.

The task presents various complexities and environmental concerns due to the proximity of the creek corridor and residential areas. Mirvac assures the community that they will implement extensive measures to mitigate potential noise, dust, vibration, and traffic impacts.

Toombul’s community will be kept informed throughout the process, with a commitment from Mirvac to minimize impacts on residents and maintain access to nearby roads, bikeways, footpaths, the Kedron Brook bikeway, and the Toombul bus interchange.

What North Brisbane Locals Want

In January 2023, the company had previously sought input from thousands of locals about their preferences for the site’s redevelopment.

“We’re pleased to let you know we received almost 10,000 pieces of incredible feedback that have been carefully considered and will help inform our continued planning for the future of Toombul, along with planning outcomes and commercial considerations,” Mirvac stated.

The company has taken note of three important points from the community:

Shoppers are missing convenient local retail and services.
They want to see retail return to the site as a priority.
The community expects the site to have improved resilience to local flooding.

Respondents also indicated a desire for retail spaces, public green areas, and essential services, such as healthcare. Mirvac has confirmed that these elements will be included in the redesign, along with improved flood mitigation measures.

Mirvac’s vision for the site includes a focus on retail in any future plans. However, specific details, such as the inclusion of a supermarket, theatre, or major retailer, have not been ironed out. Concept plans and a master plan are expected to be made available for community review by the end of 2023.

As the demolition planning progresses, Mirvac pledges to keep the community informed with ongoing updates and provides an option for residents to receive direct email updates about the future demolition program by registering online.

The redevelopment of Toombul Shopping Centre holds the promise of revitalizing the area and providing much-needed retail amenities for the local community. With cautious and diligent planning, Mirvac aims to turn the flood-ravaged site into a vibrant and thriving hub once again.

Follow updates about the redevelopment via the Toombul Renewal official site.

Published 20-July-2023

Uniting Early Learning Toombul Invites Families to Explore their Open Day

Uniting Early Learning Toombul is hosting an Open Day, where families can take advantage of the opportunity to visit the centre, meet dedicated educators, and participate in a range of fun activities.

The Open Day, held on Saturday, 15 July 2023, from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., aims to showcase the exceptional facilities and nurturing environment provided by Uniting Early Learning Toombul.

Families can explore indoor and outdoor learning environments, which have been designed to inspire and engage young minds. The centre boasts extensive outdoor spaces with leafy trees, real grass, and natural landscapes.

Additionally, children can immerse themselves in the organic garden, mud kitchen, and bush tucker area, allowing them to connect with nature and learn through hands-on experiences.

As a small community-centred service, Uniting Early Learning Toombul, which originally opened in 1996, prioritises individual attention, supporting a maximum of 56 children. The facility is proud to offer a play-based learning program that encourages children’s natural curiosity and fosters their development in a caring and inclusive environment.

The childcare and kindergarten service is fully accredited and has achieved an “Exceeding” rating from the Australian Children’s Education and Care Quality Authority (ACECQA).

One of the standout features of Uniting Early Learning Toombul is the range of activities available to the children. The centre places great importance on sustainability, offering programs that promote gardening and composting.

The site has implemented an intergenerational play initiative called “Grandfriends,” which allows the children to interact and learn from all ages. The centre also provides additional extracurricular activities such as Grasshopper Soccer and Dance Quest, enriching the learning experience for the children.

“Uniting Early Learning is a lovely centre with supportive and caring staff. Lorna, the kindy teacher, has 16 years of teaching experience and this is clearly evident in the way she nurtures natural curiosity and develops her program around each individual students’ interests and needs,” a satisfied parent stated.

“The centres on site cook, Riki, is also a bonus as my son has special dietary requirements and Riki creates delicious and nutritious meals that my son loves. We are really happy here and I couldn’t recommend this centre more.

Families interested in attending the Uniting Early Learning Toombul Open Day can register by visiting the centre’s website, which has comprehensive information about its history, values, and programs.

For additional updates and to connect with the community, families are encouraged to visit Uniting Early Learning Toombul’s Facebook page.

Building Height Limits to Increase in Toombul, Other Shopping Precincts as Part of Growth Strategy

Did you know that building height limits will increase in Toombul and five other suburban shopping centre precincts, as part of a new Sustainable Growth Strategy being implemented to address the ongoing housing crisis?

The initiatives were announced as part of the city’s plans, which aim to deliver thousands of new homes in areas like Carindale, Chermside, Garden City, Indooroopilly, Toombul, and Toowong.

By potentially increasing the building height limits in these areas, Brisbane City Council hopes to facilitate the construction of more apartments and units near the shopping centres, which already boast significant public transport connections.

In addition to the height limit changes, Brisbane City Council plans to incentivize build-to-rent developments by allowing developers to pay their infrastructure charges over time rather than in one lump sum. This change aims to reduce upfront costs and promote the construction of rental properties, which are in high demand.

Sustainable Growth Strategy Toombul — Photo Credit: BCC

To streamline the approval process for build-to-rent projects, a special unit dedicated to overseeing these developments will be established by Council. The goal is to unlock the potential of various sites across Brisbane that are currently held back due to market conditions.

Furthermore, Council intends to expand residential zones to include previously used commercial areas, thereby increasing housing options. Around 70 hectares across 14 sites in Brisbane have been identified as suitable for mixed-use opportunities.

Mr Schrinner emphasised the importance of balancing housing demand with preserving the character and green space in Brisbane. The new Sustainable Growth Strategy also aims to guide growth toward popular areas, particularly those surrounding the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games venues, whilst protecting the city’s unique lifestyle.

This plan has received praise for opening up more land for high-rise residential development. However, critics argue that the plan falls short of creating more affordable housing.

The Queensland Council of Social Service believes government intervention is necessary to ensure the delivery of social and affordable housing. Urban planners and experts also expressed concerns that the focus on supply and demand principles may not effectively address housing affordability issues.

Published 8-June-2023

Mirvac Reveals Outcomes of Community Consultation for Its Toombul Renewal Plans

Photo credit: Facebook / Leanne Linard MP

Locals do not want to see Toombul dominated by high-density residential development, nor do they want a much larger retail centre at the site, the outcomes of the Mirvac Toombul Renewal community consultation revealed.

In November 2022, Mirvac sought feedback from the community on what they would like to see for the future of the Toombul site. Members of the community were invited to participate in an online survey or at one of the four drop-in sessions held in Nundah, Wavell Heights and Clayfield.

The engagement program aims to identify the community’s needs and ensure that they remain informed on any updates or redevelopment plans for the Toombul site following the closure of the centre in 2022 due to flood damage.

The outcomes of this community consultation, along with planning outcomes and commercial considerations will inform decisions about the future of the Toombul site.

Highlights of the Toombul Renewal community consultations include:

96 per cent of stakeholders who participated in the online consultation identified as former Toombul customers
More than 85 per cent of respondents were from local postcodes
88 per cent of respondents said they visited Toombul once a week or mor

Meanwhile, the community wants a mix of retail and services, flood resilience and mitigation, a mix of dining and entertainment options, enhanced open green and recreation space, and improved connections to public and active transport.

“The community want to see retail return, with loyalty to the former Toombul, while many are open to change and other complementary uses to extend community benefit at the site, including well-considered mixed-use.” Mirvac

Leanne Linard MP in a social media post said that “the results showed what we locals already know: we loved Toombul, and we want to see a mix of retail, services and green space back on-site.”

“We also want to know what’s next, and when.

“The key issues I raised on behalf of our community were the need for Mirvac to deliver ongoing communication of their forward plan, and the safety of local nearby residents when demolition commences.

“Next month will be one year since the loss of Toombul. We will continue to ensure our communities voice is represented in future decisions for the site.

Published 10-February-2023

Toombul Shopping Centre Redevelopment a Possibility, Community Will Have a Say

Photo Credit: Google Maps

Once plans are ready, community drop-in sessions will be held to provide opportunities for locals to have their say on plans for the redevelopment of Toombul Shopping Centre. This was Mirvac’s commitment after discussing the possibility of rebuilding the flood-damaged northside shopping precinct with local representatives.

Mirvac expects to come out with the redevelopment plans in the second half of 2023 but a concrete timeline has not been outlined just yet, according to MP Leanne Linnard who met with the company’s executives alongside MP Anika Wells in mid-October 2022.

“Mirvac has confirmed … their commitment to retail, green-space, and ongoing access to public transport in any rebuild,” Ms Linnard shared.

“We have also been advised that there will also be opportunities to attend drop-in sessions to provide your direct feedback on what you would like to see at the site.”

A spokesperson from Mirvac also confirmed that they will come up with a community consultation program and keep the public up to date, beginning with the shopping centre’s demolition to prepare for the rebuilding.

Northsiders have been asking Mirvac to reopen Toombul Shopping Centre following the February floods, especially with the approaching holiday season.

However, the damage from the floodwaters has resulted in moulds all over the building. According to reports, Mirvac has begun stripping these moulds, a process which is expected to go on for weeks.

Meanwhile, PRAX Studio has come up with its own masterplan for Toombul Shopping Centre. The company said they are a “stakeholder in the future of Toombul” and thus wanted to engage the developer, Mirvac, by sharing their ideas about the future of the precinct.

“Our masterplan vision for Toombul prioritises the community’s needs and desires while taking maximum advantage of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver an open, green and accessible community heart for the enjoyment of future generations,” Prax Studio said.

“By advocating for the community and articulating a vision in which their views a better represented, our vision will contribute to achieving a development outcome that will be an enduring piece of public architecture befitting this wonderful site.”

Mirvac Doubles Payment for Eligible Toombul Shopping Centre Retailers

Some of the embattled shop owners of the flood-ravaged Toombul Shopping Centre will receive a further cash boost after Mirvac announced it will double their payments for eligible small businesses.

Mirvac chief executive Susan Lloyd-Hurwitz said that retailers with an annual turnover of less than $50 million a year will get another three months’ worth of rent payments on top of the three months’ rent payments already promised in June 2022.

Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz said that they have been meeting with these retailers, who communicated their challenging experiences after the February floods that shut down the Toombul Shopping Centre permanently. Mirvac’s decision to terminate the leases placed many of the retailers in debt.

The company determined that it was no longer practical to reinstate the site given its risks of immense flooding. Ms Lloyd-Hurwitz said that the flood caused significant damage to their electricity, electricity, fire and air-conditioning systems, lifts and escalators. Mould has also impacted the shopping centre, which was declared hazardous for people’s health.

Toombul tenants — Meeting with tenants and lawyer Brian Noble
Photo Credit: LeanneLinardMP/Facebook

In June, Cr Adam Allan said that a decision was reached to demolish the existing shopping centre and construct a new one.

“The site is zoned Major Centre zoning under the Brisbane City Plan 2014. This type of zoning provides for a wide range of uses including retail, commercial, residential, entertainment, government, residential care, retirement, and community uses to name some,” Cr Adam sad.

“While Mirvac are only in the early stages of their planning on the future of the site the uses above provide a high level guide of some potential uses.

“There will be some outcomes from the site that Brisbane City Council will be keen to see delivered or retained such as a bus interchange, public space, better connectivity, improved flood resilience, a better interface to Kedron Brook etc

“There will be many discussions between Council’s Development Services team and Mirvac over coming months as their plans for the site are formulated.”