Bowen Hills Priority Development Area (PDA)

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Old museum heritage building

The Bowen Hills PDA Development Scheme, as amended, was approved by the Queensland Government and came into effect on 21 June 2019.

Download Bowen Hills PDA Development Scheme

The Bowen Hills PDA is an important part of our strategy to support population and employment growth in Brisbane, enhancing the lifestyle of the state’s capital city. EDQ reviewed the development scheme to ensure it will continue to be effective as the overarching planning document for the area.

The PDA provides for the long-term growth potential of around 23,000 new homes and one million square meters of commercial, retail and industrial floor

The Bowen Hills PDA Development Scheme, as amended, was approved by the Queensland Government and came into effect on 21 June 2019.

Download Bowen Hills PDA Development Scheme

The Bowen Hills PDA is an important part of our strategy to support population and employment growth in Brisbane, enhancing the lifestyle of the state’s capital city. EDQ reviewed the development scheme to ensure it will continue to be effective as the overarching planning document for the area.

The PDA provides for the long-term growth potential of around 23,000 new homes and one million square meters of commercial, retail and industrial floor space for new business investment and employment generating services.

The previous development scheme was 10 years old and it was timely to review and update the strategic land use and infrastructure plan to ensure the scheme would appropriately facilitate the next phase of development in the PDA.

The proposed development scheme amendment was publicly notified from 29 October to 7 December 2018 and Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) received 41 submissions.

EDQ considered all submissions and prepared a report summarising these submissions and amendments.

Download Bowen Hills PDA Submissions Report

The Bowen Hills PDA Development Charges and Offset Plan accompanies the PDA development scheme. It identifies relevant development charges, how these charges are calculated, levied and administered, and the trunk infrastructure required to service the PDA.

Download Bowen Hills PDA Development Charges and Offset Plan (DCOP)

Download Bowen Hills PDA Infrastructure Plan Background Report (IPBR)


If you are after some specific information have you checked the FAQs. Otherwise please ask us a questions.

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    Hi, I've not seen any signs yet of work commencing on redevelopment of the Jubilee Hotel in Fortitude Valley. Do you know an approximate time when works are expected to commence? Thanks Steve

    steve1 asked almost 5 years ago

    The MEDQ has approved a mixed use development over 470 St Pauls Terrace, the site of the Jubilee Hotel. It is at the discretion of the applicant and landowner to commence the development of the site in accordance with this approval.  The development approval issued in February 2018 will remain valid for 6 years from the original date of decision, unless extended.

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    What does Item 45 in Part 4 of the Bowen Hills PDA Submission Report mean? I note an amendment has been made so that an material change of use for rooming accommodation in the medium density residential zone requires development to be compatible with the residential character of the street and surrounding buildings. However, there is only one street (Cintra Rd) and the zone is very small, basically one small neighborhood. Are you saying there are parts of Cintra Rd where rooming accommodation/boarding houses/halfway houses are intended? If so can you give an example - there are only 15 blocks in the zone to consider? My husband and I are one of the many families in the medium density area that made submissions requesting the PDA note that rooming accommodation is not compatible or prohibited along Cintra Rd (previously Montpelier Precinct). We were drawn to the area by the church (across the road), nearby parks (at the end of Cintra) and daycare (one street off Cintra Rd). However, we have experienced high levels of trespassers and drug users from the nearby Bric Housing estate and do not want more of this unsavoury element in our family neighborhood. This is a real risk as there is currently a development application for rooming accommodation at 28 Cintra Rd (directly across the church and with Queenslander houses neighbouring both sides) for 42 independent living units crammed onto a block that is less than 800sqm! The whole neighbourhood is exasperated trying to fight this when it should have simply been summarily dismissed by EDQ. Much in the newspapers about the new PDA has trumpeted the changes as being good for families. However, this seems really bad for families living in and around the residential zone in Bowen Hills.

    Swazzo asked over 4 years ago

    The Bowen Hills PDA development scheme has been prepared to facilitate the development of a range of housing options to cater for a full range of the community’s income and lifestyle needs.  This approach aims to provide housing choice, adaptability and diversity thorough a mix of densities, types, designs, tenures and levels of affordability.  

    Rooming accommodation may be an appropriate development type in the Medium density residential zone, where it is designed to meet the assessment criteria set out in the PDA development scheme.

    Any development proposal for Rooming accommodation will require a PDA development approval and will be assessed on a case by case basis against the Bowen Hills PDA development scheme.

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    hi EDQ ers. Are there any changes to the infrastructure charges for development in the Bowen Hills PDA? Could you please provide me with a copy of any amendments please, and, if possible, the current infrastructure charging regime, including current and proposed rates. Thanks for any assistance you are able to provide regards John G

    John asked about 5 years ago

    Thanks for your enquiry about the Bowen Hills PDA.

    You can view the Infrastructure Funding Framework that currently applies to development in the Bowen Hills PDA.

    As part of the Bowen Hills PDA development scheme review project EDQ has prepared and publicly notified a draft Development Charges and Offset Plan.

    It is intended that the Development Charges and Offset Plan will replace the Infrastructure Funding Framework.

    EDQ is presently making final refinements to the Development Charges and Offset Plan following public notification.  EDQ anticipates the Development Charges and Offset Plan will come into force in early 2019.

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    When is the development scheme no 2 commencing and can I please be informed of the commencement date when it is known. thanks

    John asked about 5 years ago

    EDQ is now reviewing all submissions that were received during the public notification period. At the same time we are preparing a submission review report and making final refinements to the proposed development scheme amendment prior to seeking state government approval. 

    EDQ anticipates state government approval to occur in early 2019.  Once approved the development scheme amendment will come into force, all submitters will be notified and this project page will be updated.

    Individuals that have registered on this project website will also be emailed once this has occurred.

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    Will the PDA also consider the redevelopment of the Mayne Rail Yards? These are an eyesore and represent prime land. Surely it makes more sense to move their function further out of the city and open up this northern corridor between Windsor and Bowen Hills?

    Dev asked about 5 years ago

    The Mayne Rail Yards are the property of Queensland Rail and at this time serve a critical central function supporting rail network operations.  

    The Bowen Hills PDA Development Scheme amendment has been prepared as the regulatory instrument for land within the boundary of the Bowen Hills PDA only.


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    I am concerned about the growing traffic around the RNA redevelopment site, particularly along Exhibition Street, King Street, St Pauls Terrace and Brookes Street. With the Exhibition Quarter yet to commence, and the new school also projected to be completed by 2020, I fear that with increased traffic Bowen Hills will become fraught with congestion and that pedestrians will also be put further at risk. I am also concerned about the approved development above the Jubilee Hotel. The office building above it not only detracts from the heritage value of the Hotel, but I feel it also puts the Hotel at risk of sustaining damage from earthworks as well as from water falling onto the roof from the structure above. The Jubilee is also an important venue for local live music and holds regular music festivals and events each year. This redevelopment doesn't seem to incorporate much space for live entertainment. What further improvements will be there to ease traffic congestion, and will the office building definitely be built above the Jubilee?

    wink asked about 5 years ago

    Thanks for sharing your interests in ongoing development in and around the Bowen Hills PDA.

    EDQ has prepared the proposed Bowen Hills PDA Development Scheme amendment no.2 and draft Bowen Hills PDA Development Charges and Offset Plan which provides a coordinated land use and transport plan for Bowen Hills.  This includes upgrades to the street, cyclist and pedestrian network to address safety, connectivity and congestion.

    Development approval (DEV2017/891) for the conservation of the Jubilee hotel and redevelopment of neighboring property for an office tower was granted by EDQ in February 2018. This development approval includes conditions to carry out the development and conservation in accordance with The Burra Charter (Australia ICOMOS Charter for the Conservation of Places of Cultural Significance).  Further information about the development approval can be viewed here by searching DEV2017/891.


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    Why is the speed limit on Brookes Street 60 klm per hour when it is such a short street with numerous lights. Will this be reviewed with the building of the new school?

    Ali asked over 5 years ago

    Brisbane City Council sets speed limits on local streets across Brisbane.You can contact Brisbane City Council directly or by phone on 3403 8888 to register your enquiry about the Brookes Street speed limit.


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    Will improvements be made to the Bowen Hills Rail Station? Fortitude Valley station is all the better after a revamp. Bowen Hills definitely needs revitalising.

    Loulou asked over 5 years ago

    Delivery of station upgrades are be undertaken by Department of Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Rail. Some recent upgrades have been made to the station entry on Abbotsford Road.

    The proposed Bowen Hills PDA Development Scheme amendment no.2 identifies the following longer term upgrades within the Precinct 1 public transport provisions:

    Development is coordinated to provide:

    1. pedestrian concourse delivering safe and improved access to the Bowen Hills Railway Station between Hudd Street and Abbotsford Road
    2. upgrades to the Bowen Hills Railway Station including improved platform access and potential corridor widening
    3. a rail and bus interchange is located adjacent to the Bowen Hills Railway Station on Abbotsford Road.

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    What beautification and Traffic Management will be done at the intersection of Brookes Street and O'Connell Street ? The current state of the footpaths and also traffic management is appalling,

    Batman asked over 5 years ago

    The proposed Bowen Hills PDA Development Scheme amendment no.2 identifies the following upgrades within the Precinct 2 connectivity provisions:

    The precinct will accommodate key upgrades to the street network as follows:

    1. widening of O’Connell Terrace to accommodate two lanes of vehicular traffic and separated cycle way
    2. widening of Brookes Street to accommodate upgraded footpaths, separated cycle way.

    Table 5- Schedule of future trunk infrastructure works - Transport and Map 5 within the draft Bowen Hills PDA Development Charges and Offset Plan  identifies item RD10  as suburban - street improvements and active transport improvements to Brookes Street with an estimated timing of 2026-2031.

    EDQ will undertake more detailed planning of these street improvements ahead of the estimated delivery timeframe.

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    Will the capacity of Brookes Street be considered in decisions about zoning levels? Also will there be some street beautification undertaken. The footpaths are uneven and there is limited greenery. Major urban areas need some tree planting to reduce impact of heat and pollution.

    Ali asked over 5 years ago

    Thank you for your interest in planning for the Bowen Hills PDA. As part of this project EDQ is examining land use and transport planning outcomes in unison to develop a coordinated plan for Bowen Hills. EDQ is also examining opportunities to improve the streetscape appeal and pedestrian conditions in the PDA through planned road upgrades.

    This planning will be made available for public review during project Stage 3: Draft amendment and public notification, which is anticipated to occur in late 2018.