Heritage-listed churches oppose towering Development
24/2/2011
KANGAROO POINT: A 20-STOREY residential building will tower over Australia’s oldest Russian Orthodox Church in Kangaroo Point, after Brisbane City Council gave the 206-unit development preliminary approval.
The heritage-listed Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas, built in 1923, is adjacent to the empty block on Vulture St.
Father Deacon Kon Semovskih said the parish had opposed the development application, along with the Sisters of the Josephite Order, the Lutheran Church at Woolloongabba and the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane.
The groups were in talks with the State Government about developing a heritage trail between four of the area’s oldest churches.
Mr Semovskih said they acknowledged the need for higher-density living but argued six to 10-storeys was ample.
“It will be like a sore thumb sticking out in the middle of nowhere,’’ he said.
The Vulture St development was altered to retain heritage values of the neighbouring cathedral, and allow for commercial, residential and office space in the 12-storey and 20-storey towers.
Neighbourhood Planning and Development Assessment Chairman Amanda Cooper said the height was consistent with the 30-storey development planned for the State Government’s Go Print site opposite the Cathedral.
“This location is ideally suited to accommodate higher rise development, with the nearby Gabba bus station providing easy access to the city,’’ she said.
But Councillor Helen Abrahams (The Gabba) said the application was premature given church groups still had the heritage trail concept on the table.
“To be just another 20-storey glass and concrete building does not create that sense of place,’’ she said.
“It (the heritage walk) not being considered as part of this development is a disgrace.’‘
The Philip Usher Constructions development is expected to get full approval next week.
