Brisbane Knowledge and Lifestyle Precinct Unveiled

Towers rising up to 11 storeys—housing more than 400 apartments as well as a 1000-student tertiary campus, office and retail space—are part of the vision for a new knowledge and lifestyle precinct in Brisbane’s south-east. The mixed-use masterplan has been revealed in a newly-filed proposal before the Brisbane City Council. Lodged by an entity linked to Verso Development Group, it is seeking preliminary approval for an overarching development framework for a site spanning 3.75ha at 318 Miles Platting Road, Rochedale. The developer is also behind revised tower plans for Brisbane’s historic riverfront Shafston Estate at Kangaroo Point. According to the documents, the masterplanned Rochedale precinct—about 20km from the CBD—would be anchored by Shafston International College, catering for its future expansion and relocation from its Kangaroo Point site. “The college plans to broaden its educational offerings, including a move to a larger campus and the launch of a comprehensive tertiary program, as it transitions into ‘Shafston University’,” the application said. Overall, the initial plans include 11 buildings—the majority ranging from seven to 11 storeys—to be developed in as many stages. “The development intends to create an integrated community, offering a mixed-use environment where students and knowledge workers can live, work and recreate,” the documents said. ▲ Renderings of the knowledge and lifestyle precinct proposed for 318 Miles Platting Road, Rochedale. Under the proposal, nine levels of educational space with 4536sq m of gross floor area would cater for up to 1000 students. The integrated residential component would comprise 427 one, two and three-bedroom apartments across four buildings up to 10 storeys—including 125 build-to-rent units—as well as 96 rooms of short-term accommodation. “The proposed knowledge precinct will accommodate both student accommodation and high-density residential developments,” the application said. “Student housing, located near the college, will offer a range of options, from shared apartments to private units, providing convenient living for the university's student population. “Additionally, the precinct will feature modern apartment complexes designed for students, professionals and families, offering a mix of unit sizes and amenities such as communal spaces, gyms, and secure parking.” The proposed masterplan also includes 7000sq m of office space, a 2841sq m shopping centre, 1941sq m 100-place childcare centre and 987sq m for healthcare uses. ▲ Aerial view of the 3.75ha site proposed for the knowledge and lifestyle precinct at 318 Miles Platting Road, Rochedale. Melbourne-based architecture firm DKO was engaged to design the scheme for the masterplan proposal. “Recent research demonstrates that successful knowledge precincts need to play a dual role, providing both knowledge economy and lifestyle services and opportunities,” a Saunders Havill Group planning report said. “Knowledge precincts need to be planned for as integrated communities, offering mixed-use environments where knowledge workers can live, work and relax. People and industries in the knowledge economy benefit greatly from proximity which enables people to connect to other businesses and industries. “The clustering of complementary knowledge industries maximises opportunities for the exchange of ideas and information through face-to-face and digital interaction.” Although the existing planning scheme provisions for the site did not envisage residential land uses, the report said “these uses are critical to the long-term function of the knowledge precinct”. ▲ Renderings of revised tower plans submitted by Verso Development Group last year for Brisbane’s historic Shafston Estate at Kangaroo Point. “In relation to residential land uses, this is particularly important in an area like Rochedale with detached dwellings representing the vast majority of housing stock, indicating a clear market gap and a need for increased housing diversity,” it said. “Overall, the proposal has the potential to reimagine an underutilised suburban area that is exceptionally well serviced with existing infrastructure…[with] the ability to provide outcomes not easily provided in other parts of the city. “The development proposal is an exciting opportunity to rethink the makeup of suburban centres and provide a real mixed use, campus-like community.” In November last year, Verso Development Group filed upscaled plans for the redevelopment of Brisbane’s landmark Shafston House Estate at 23 Castlebar Street, Kangaroo Point. Home to the 1851-built, heritage-listed Shafston House, the 1ha riverfront site was given the green light in 2023 for the addition of a 15-level tower comprising 37 units. The subsequently amended plans have sought to increase the approved tower height to 25 levels to accommodate 51 apartments. Last month, Verso also lodged plans for a 20-storey residential tower at Indooroopilly in the city’s inner-west . The proposal comprises 119 apartments capped by a rooftop communal recreation terrace with views of the city and Mt Coot-tha. It would occupy a 2192sq m site at 53 Coonan Street.

Brisbane Knowledge and Lifestyle Precinct Unveiled

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