Brisbane's Fortitude Valley pitched for 40-storey towers in 'tall over sprawl' push

The Fortitude Valley Sustainable Growth Precinct Plan would push height limits to 40 storeys at sites between St Pauls Terrace, Brookes Street, along Ann Street and around Cathedral Place. On the precinct's edge, limits would taper down to 30 storeys and below. The council frames the move as part of its 'tall over sprawl' strategy, which it says will deliver thousands of new homes in the entertainment district.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said entertainment precinct rules and noise protections would be tightened alongside the taller buildings. He said any new development must account for residents moving into a live music area, calling the noise requirements strict. The office of Queensland nightlife economy commissioner John Collins has been contacted for comment.

Fortitude Valley is not the first stop. Indooroopilly, Carindale and Nundah were earlier earmarked for height increases: selected spots around the Indooroopilly and Carindale shopping centres go to 25 storeys, while limits near the Nundah village and train station rise to 15 storeys. Those changes take effect from December 11. For the Valley, community consultation runs from November 13 to December 18, with the final plan expected in 2027.

Emeritus Professor Brian Roberts, a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia and a global expert in managing cities who has worked for the World Bank and the United Nations, called the strategy 'tombstone architecture'. He described the results as monuments that are neither aesthetically pleasing nor effective for how a city functions, adding that 40 storeys is far too high for the Valley and not the scale of Brisbane. He also labelled the approach 'disjointed, incremental development', pointing to literature showing psychological needs change once buildings pass six or seven floors, including a higher incidence of loneliness at greater heights.

Brisbane Residents United spokeswoman Elizabeth Handley pushed the council and state government to prioritise social housing over high-rise apartments, arguing there is no affordable housing component no matter how many storeys get stacked on. She warned the city's character is at risk if similar plans keep advancing, and said it matters that some pockets stay slightly creative and a little bit grungy.