Dutton Park-Fairfield Neighbourhood Plan
Mater Hill Community Planning Team
Meeting notes
Meeting 1 - 22 April 2015
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Notes from Mater Hill Community Planning Team (CPT) Meeting One
Meeting details
Date:
Wednesday 22 April 2015
Time:
6pm
Location:
Hotel Diana Plaza, Woolloongabba
Attendees
Community planning team members:
Amanda, Brendan, Cassie, Christine, David, Doug, George, Graham, Greg, Hannah, Jeanine,
Lincoln, Robyn, Rudy, Sarah, Stephen and Trevor.
Council Officers:
Kerry Doss (Manager, City Planning and Economic Development), Mark Leary (Project Manager),
Lisa Edgerton (Meeting Facilitator), Laurelle Muir (Community Engagement Centre of Excellence
Manager), Jennifer Einam, Liz Sanders, AnnaaStathis, Matt Rolley, Sarah Webley, (Table
Facilitators), James Cole (Note Taker).
Elected Representatives and other Observers:
Councillor Helen Abrahams, Councillor for the Ward of The Gabba; Councillor Nicole Johnston,
Councillor for the Ward of Tennyson; and Gemma Long, Policy Advisor to Councillor Amanda
Cooper, Chair of Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment.
Apologies:
Councillor Amanda Cooper, Chair of Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment.
Agenda
1. Registration and Refreshments
2. Welcome and Introductions
3. Activity #1 – Getting to Know Each Other
4. What is Neighbourhood Planning?
5. The Dutton Park Fairfield Neighbourhood Plan
6. Stakeholders
7. Working together as a CPT
8. Activity #2 – Your Local Knowledge
9. Next Steps
10. Questions
11. Summary and Close
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Welcome & Introductions
Lisa acknowledged the traditional owners of the meeting place and the project area, and welcomed
everybody to this first Mater Hill Community Planning Team meeting for the Dutton Park-Fairfield
Neighbourhood Plan (DPFNP).
In thanking everyone for giving up their time to contribute, Lisa introduced the local Councillors,
other Observers and the Council team that will be managing the planning process and assisting to
guide this evening’s activities.
Lisa then explained that due to the size and diversity of the area covered by the DPFNP area, it
was necessary to convene three Community Planning Teams, to represent the interest areas of
Mater Hill, Fairfield and the Business community.
Before introducing the evening’s first activity, Lisa provided an overview of the meeting agenda,
encouraging all CPT members to have their say.
Activity #1: Getting to Know Each Other
CPT members completed an Introductory Activity, during which they wrote and shared their
backgrounds and discussed their personal interests in and connection to the Dutton Park-Fairfield
area. Members also shared views about the area and discussed their issues of most interest and
concern to them and their aspirations in contemplating the future of the Dutton Park-Fairfield area.
Responses were collated and formed into ‘pie chart’ configurations which all present were
encouraged to read and consider as the meeting progressed.
Neighbourhood Planning Brisbane – Getting to Know Us
Kerry thanked everyone for taking a genuine interest in their community and for nominating to
contribute to the CPT. He then took members through a description of the way in which planning is
managed, with South East Queensland Regional Plan (SEQ Regional Plan) growth targets set to
2031, citywide outcomes driven by Brisbane City Plan 2014 (CP2014), and the future shape of
local areas influenced by the neighbourhood planning process. The neighbourhood plan is the
instrument through which Council facilitates the delivery of planning aspirations ‘on the ground’,
with many different sectors and agencies contributing to those outcomes.
Kerry then noted that CP2014 sets out where growth in Brisbane should occur, with the local area
sure to play a role through significant employment growth in the health care sector among the
290,000 new jobs expected to be created over the life of the plan. Residents, businesses and
landowners previously advised Council of a strong preference for growth in Brisbane to occur in a
series of strategic nodes and along major transport spines and key corridors, resulting in the
development of Brisbane’s ‘CityShape’. One of the important corridors and a significant influence
on the DPFNP is the Brisbane South Rail Corridor, stretching from South Brisbane to Coopers
Plains.
Continuing, Kerry explained that neighbourhood plans are statutory documents that form part of
CP2014 and are aimed at facilitating economic prosperity, protecting character, identifying
development areas and providing for open space.
Kerry then spoke about the limits to what a neighbourhood plan can influence and directly impact
on, and also pointed out the areas which a neighbourhood plan cannot affect.
The Dutton Park-Fairfield Neighbourhood Plan
Mark provided an overall snapshot of the Dutton Park-Fairfield area, explaining that the area very
strongly supports employment, with 9,200 residents and 13,700 jobs in the area. This is expected
to grow significantly due to some important local advantages and important employment drivers,
including:
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inner city location and significant employment centre;
hospitals and health services expected to be a jobs leader; and
high accessibility with major roads and high-frequency public transport.
Mark also displayed a map of the area, highlighting the local corridors, nodes and important
landmarks and features, including schools, universities, shopping areas, parks, hospitals, railway
and busway stations, medical services precincts and residential areas.
Mark then pointed out that the area includes pockets of character housing, some of which is
located in zones that permit increased residential development. As part of the neighbourhood
planning process, Council wants to hear the CPT’s views on the areas where character housing is
valued and should be protected, and where a reasonable and orderly process might identify the
places where some increased density could be accommodated in the future.
While the Bus and Train (BaT) tunnel project was one of the catalysts for the neighbourhood
planning process, Council is proceeding with the project as there are many other justifications for
planning for the future of an area that is a vital contributor to the city. The DPFNP allows for
community views to be considered now to prepare a strategy, and then prepare a draft plan which
would later amend CP2014. When the Queensland Government announces its preferred solution
to replace the BaT, any potential impacts on the DPFNP process will be taken into consideration.
The Dutton Park-Fairfield Neighbourhood Plan process and timelines
Mark advised that the project is currently in the background research phase, and the input, ideas
and feedback from the CPT will be important contributions to this phase, along with wider public
consultation and research and reports from technical experts.
It is expected that by mid to late 2015, all of this input will enable Council to produce a
neighbourhood plan Strategy that will articulate a Vision for the area as a prompt to inform further
discussions about aspirations for Dutton Park-Fairfield.
Following consultation, including input from the CPT, the DPFNP is expected to be drafted by late
2015, with the statutory DPFNP to follow in mid-2016. Subject to the necessary approvals, the
neighbourhood plan is proposed to be adopted by late 2016.
Meetings will also continue for the other two CPTs, respectively focussed on Fairfield and the local
business sector. The online survey will remain open until the end of August to ensure that all
interested people have an opportunity to have their say.
Talk to a Planner sessions, when community members have the opportunity for one-on-one
discussions with Council’s planners and other technical experts, will be held on 11 and 23 May.
Stakeholders and Working Together as a CPT
Laurelle detailed the various stakeholders whose input will be sought for development of the
DPFNP. In addition to the three CPTs, input and feedback will be encouraged from the business
sector, key non-Council stakeholders such as the hospitals, schools, universities and the State
Government which owns extensive landholdings in the area. Other important stakeholders include
a range of specialist areas within Council, the broader community across the plan area and across
the city, the local Councillors and the elected Council as a whole in its role as the ultimate decision
maker.
Laurelle then explained for all the role of CPT members and the Council through the process,
including the proposal to conduct CPT meetings in a collaborative and open manner, encouraging
contributions from all participants. To that end, members agreed on a set of overarching principles
or ‘rules of engagement’ to guide their discussions and deliberations. This Group Agreement,
outlined below, will be reinforced at each meeting and updated as necessary.
Group Agreement – Mater Hill CPT – Conduct of Discussions:
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Table facilitators will guide discussions and ensure that conversations remain ‘on
track’;
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Only one person should speak at a time;
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Speakers will be subject to time limits to ensure that all have an opportunity to
contribute;
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All CPT members will be provided with ample opportunity to provide input, ideas,
concerns and suggestions;
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Meetings will include a note-taker to summarise information received and to capture
where possible the general discussions;
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Differing opinions will be respected;

Speakers should be up-front about their perspective and/or interest in matters (e.g.
commercial, personal, organisational etc. interests);
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Commercial-in-confidence information must be respected;
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The confidentiality of information provided at CPT meetings should be respected
unless and until that information has been released to the public.
Notes from all CPT meetings will be distributed to members and will be published on the website
so that all CPTs can keep abreast of the matters being discussed across the plan area. CPT
members are also encouraged to put forward any suggestions for improving the way in which
meetings are conducted.
Laurelle briefly described the expectations of all CPT members in making their contributions, and
she also described the commitment of Council officers in what they will do at meetings and beyond
those formal gatherings.
Next, Mark provided a summary of the following main themes emerging from responses to the
online survey about Dutton Park-Fairfield, reminding all that the survey will remain open to any
interested contributors until late August:
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Community spaces and parks;
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Heritage and character; and
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Pedestrian and cyclist amenity.
Activity #2: Your Local Knowledge
During this activity, CPT members took part in facilitated discussions to describe and detail their
aspirations and ideas for Dutton Park-Fairfield. Members provided their input via drawings and
notations on the plans provided as well as through written notes and discussions. A summary of
the issues raised and suggestions provided is included at Appendix A to these Notes.
For this activity, participants were asked to respond to the following prompt questions:
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Residential areas – character housing, unit development (old and new) – what are the
differences?
Employment – have there been changes with the increase in jobs following the new hospital
/ expansion of research facilities, and are there services that are moving into or out of the
area?
Parks and open space – how do you use these spaces, and how do you get to and from
them?
Transport – how do you access shops, parks, schools and jobs, and how would you
describe the safety of various modes of transport?
Environment – do air quality or noise issues affect you?
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At the end of the activity, a representative of each table presented the top issues, aspirations,
concerns or ideas emerging from their discussions, and these are summarised as follows (detailed
summaries of input are provided at the end of these notes):
Table 1 (Liz):
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Enhancing green space areas;
Recognising and celebrating character and heritage;
Improving the cycleways;
Responding to the challenge of achieving appropriate future development, especially
building heights; and
Accommodating future secondary education demands, given that Brisbane State High
School is already above its capacity.
Table 2 (Matt):
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Protecting the places and assets loved by the community, in particular the views and vistas
to the CBD and the river;
Providing high quality open space in the right places;
Improving pedestrian and cycle accessibility;
Addressing traffic problems; and
Tackling issues regarding car parking.
Table 3 (Sarah):
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Providing good open space areas, especially as demographics change and people opt for
apartment living with little access to recreation areas;
Increased connectivity across the area and to other important destinations; and
Protecting character and controlling the expansion of the area’s major facilities.
Next Steps and Meeting Conclusion
Mark indicated that there will be four Mater Hill CPT meetings to guide the process, as follows:
CPT Meeting 1 (tonight) to:
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introduce the CPT process and the neighbourhood plan process; and
gather local knowledge and ideas about the area.
CPT Meeting 2 (20 May) to:
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consider issues associated with corridors.
CPT Meeting 3 (17 June) to:
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consider character and heritage issues.
CPT Meeting 4 (22 July) to:
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consider issues regarding connectivity and transport.
Mark also advised of two Talk to a Planner sessions to be held on 11 and 23 May, at which any
interested person can have a short one-on-one discussion on any matter related to the DPFNP
with a Council planner or other technical expert.
During general discussions, the following issues were raised:

For future meetings, more detailed maps and plans will be available to enable better
orientation and identification of issues and ideas;

As requested by the CPT, these maps will include identification of key landmarks, planning
zones, significant current development applications and features across the area;
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
A range of statistical information will also be available upon request;
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Guidance from Council would assist CPT members in understanding how aspirational ideas
can be, especially when considering potential innovative solutions; and
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Delivery of plan outcomes will inevitably come from a range of sources, including
investment by the private sector and by governments at all levels.
Lisa thanked all present for their enthusiasm and commitment to tonight’s activities, and advised
that all information provided during the meeting will now be collated and used as valuable input as
the next stages are progressed.
The meeting closed at 8.05pm.
Further Contact
Phone:
3403 8888
Email:
neighbourhood_planning@brisbane.qld.gov.au
Web:
www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/ and search for ‘Dutton Park-Fairfield Neighbourhood Plan’
Minutes Checked / Approved
Checked:
MCR
Approved:
SN
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Observations and input from CPT workshop activities, transcribed from notes and written comments on maps.
APPENDIX A
CPT workshop activity feedback: Local Knowledge of Dutton Park-Fairfield
Table 1 (Liz):
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Map
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Notes
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Create designated bike path.
Allow for increased density but enhance
historic / heritage elements.
Park enhancements near Boggo Road
Gaol.
Improved connectivity from South Bank
along the Knowledge Corridor, Mater,
Gabba, PA Hospital.
Enhance pedestrian amenity connection
from PA to Boggo Road.
Yeronga TAFE underutilised.
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Increasing height in the hospital precinct
and parking.
High school capacity issues (BSHS is at
capacity, need another educational
institution).
Jumping fences at St Laurence’s College
– goat trail, very unsafe.
Unsafe bike paths along Annerley Road.
Enhancement of pedestrian / cyclist
connection is very important.
Ferry terminal on Brisbane Corso at
western edge of plan area, or near Osric
Street.
Reinstate ferry terminal at TJ Doyle
Memorial Park.
Improve lighting in TJ Doyle Memorial
Park.
Celebrate history in TJ Doyle Memorial
Park – bandstand, signage, historical
recognition.
Improve bike lane in Annerley Road.
Provide pedestrian corridor on Rawnsley
Street.
Enhance Boggo Road redevelopment
with dog off-leash park and better lighting.
Bridge over railway line at Merton Road.
Cyclist fatality crossing railway line north
of Park Road station.
Safe pedestrian / cycle connection across
rail lines between Dutton Park and Park
Road stations.
Bomb shelter near Cornwall Street –
enhancement, pedestrian crossing, more
gym / workout equipment.
Building heights in area to south of St
Laurence’s College between Stephens
and Annerley Roads.
Increase heights to north of that area.
Historic buildings on Allen Street.
Separate cars and pedestrians on
Stanley Street.
Create green bridge along Stanley Street
from Dock Street to Allen Street.
Need links over Stanley Street.
Observations and input from CPT workshop activities, transcribed from notes and written comments on maps.
Table 2 (Matt):
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Map
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Notes
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Boggo Road –
 How is it going to develop and what
might the impact be?
 Traffic on Annerley Road may
increase – by how much?
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Parking –
 “Hide and ride” in local streets around
Dutton Park and Park Road stations.
 MS site staff drive up and park on
site.
MS Site (large land holding green) –
 Opportunity for new vision.
 Very large site.
Flooding – impact on development –
 River flooding – need to check areas
affected.
 Localised flooding will impact on
plans.
Pedestrians / Cyclists –
 Stanley / Vulture Streets intersection
– timing of lights improved, need more
green time to allow pedestrians and
cyclists to cross.
 J-walking on Annerley Road – lack of
signalised crossings to allow safe
movement.
Dangerous intersections –
 School entry at Pope Street – sight
lines.
 Annerley / Gladstone Roads – bike
issues.
Places the community enjoys –
 Gaol building – heritage.
 Views to the city – Hawthorne Street,
Riverfire – Outlook Park.
 Holy Trinity Church.
 Church on Ross Street.
 Parks.
 Cemetery – Dutton Park.
Need more public space –
 Lack of public space in the area.
 15-minute walks to South Bank and
not easy to get to.
 Gair Park is useless – need to move
within this space.
School traffic on Stephens Road.
Traffic congestion in area around Allen
and Dock Streets.
Lack of parks in area north of Park Road
station and east of Annerley Road.
Similar lack of parks in area west of
Boggo Road Gaol site.
Do something more with small park at
Maldon Street.
Observations and input from CPT workshop activities, transcribed from notes and written comments on maps.
Table 3 (Sarah):
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Map
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Notes
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Appreciate character and historical
context of area and capture it e.g.
heritage trail, public art.
Encourage creation of more open space
(easily accessible, activated spaces)
including as part of private development
sites.
Floating walkway from Dutton Park to
Orleigh Park.
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Pedestrian and bicycle traffic along
Annerley Road – recent accidents; ban
trucks along this route?
Boggo Road – growth – pedestrian /
cycleway over Annerley Road, linking
hospitals.
Provide green space in north-eastern
corner of Boggo Road redevelopment
site.
Traffic management plan.
Connectivity opportunities.
Character needs to be examined in
context.
Problematic right turns from Gladstone
Road at Park Road West and Gertrude
Street, also Gloucester Street / Deighton
Road.
Opportunities for connectivity to
University of Queensland.
Conflict areas between bicycles and cars.
Mater Hospital demolishing character
properties (Stanley Street) as they
expand.
Many visitors to area – transient, no
ownership.
Car parking dominated by hospital users
– make parking available to non-hospital
users, but not so they park all day.
Guide expansion of the big landowners
e.g. St Laurence’s, Somerville House.
Protection of Dutton Park.
Community coming together in
community space – activities.
Green space at Boggo Road.
Little useable green space.
Nowhere to kick a football.
Changing demographics – children in
apartments with no facilities for kids.