The Woolstore Precinct is a residential area in the suburb of Teneriffe in Brisbane, Australia. A former industrial and commercial area, it has undergone urban renewal with preservation and re-purposing of many buildings from the early 20th century. This renewal has been guided by neighbourhood plans formulated by Brisbane City Council, with advice from the Queensland Heritage Council.
Location and characteristics
Located within the suburb of Teneriffe, Queensland, the Woolstore Precinct is the riverfront area bounded by Wyandra Street (from riverfront to no. 55 Wyandra St) and Commercial Road (including the Skyring Terrace side of Helen Street and Commercial Road) at the north, Florence Street at the west, running down along southern part of Chermside Street, including Macquarie Street and up to Hasting Street at the south. (See Precinct Map)
The Woolstore Precinct is characterised by its many historical wool stores and other industrial structures erected in the beginning of the 20th century. Once dominated by wharves, wool stores and factories, the area has been gradually transformed into a medium-high density residential community starting from the early 1990s. By preserving its distinctive industrial heritage, together with the addition of upmarket apartments, parks, boardwalks, retailing and business premises that promotes riverfront lifestyle, the Woolstore Precinct is today one of the most sought-after addresses in the inner city suburbs of Brisbane.
Driving force
The transformation of the inner city suburbs has been largely driven by the rapidly increasing concentration of business services, education and health services in the Central Business District (CBD) and the nearby business districts such as Southbank, Milton, Herston, Toowong, Indooroopilly and St Lucia. Professionals, managers and overseas students are attracted by the inner-city living lifestyle Housing market in suburbs surrounding the CBD thus experienced increasing pressure. It is projected that 138,000 new in-fill dwellings are needed by year 2031 in order to satisfy the rapid growth.
Through the urban renewal projects, Newstead & Teneriffe region, including the historical Woolstore Precinct, has been able to contribute to the housing market by increasing its dwelling number from 440 (1991) to 3500 (2006). This number is expected to grow to 8700 dwellings in 2031.
Agencies
Governments at all levels have been active in encouraging urban consolidation. This is seen in various forms, including Brisbane City Council encouraging in-fill housing development, and the master-planned redevelopment of the inner north-eastern suburbs led by the Urban Renewal Task Force.
Urban Renewal Brisbane (URB) In the late 1980s Brisbane's inner-city areas were struggling with economic stagnation, urban decay and crime which resulted in an exodus of residents and business to the suburban fringe. Established in 1991 as the Urban Renewal Taskforce, URB was responsible for revitalising derelict industrial areas in inner north-east suburbs of Fortitude Valley, New Farm, Teneriffe, Newstead and Bowen Hills.
URB responses to the challenges of rapidly growing demand of inner city dwelling in a sustainable manner. By focussing growth in urban renewal area, close to public transport and other services, existing infrastructure is used more efficiently and natural areas on the fringe of the city are protected from growth. Carefully planning and design also allows valued heritage and character area to be protected alongside contemporary architecture to strengthen the identity of the local neighbourhoods.
Over the years, several master plans have been adopted to facilitate the redevelopment and maintenance of the area. These include: Newstead and Teneriffe Master Plan Inner North Eastern Suburbs Master Plan Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront and Teneriffe Hill Local Area Plans New Farm, Teneriffe and Newstead Riverside Promenade Master Plan Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront Neighbourhood Plan
Newstead and Teneriffe Waterfront Neighbourhood Plan is a local plan under the Brisbane City Plan 2000. Effective from 2011, this plan contains specific additional local planning requirements for the Newstead and Teneriffe waterfront area. Development principles include conserving and reusing historical buildings for a range of activities.