Witton Barracks Park and Community Hub project

The Witton Barracks played a vital role in military intelligence during World War II. The three cell block buildings on the site are of significant historical interest and are listed on the State Heritage Register. Since acquiring the site in 2016, Brisbane City Council has been remediating and upgrading the site in stages to celebrate Brisbane's history and create space for community use. The Witton Barracks Park and Community Hub project is part of Council's commitment to building infrastructure for the future, while protecting our unique lifestyle, local greenspace and parks.

Summary

Address Witton Barracks, 9 Lambert Road, Indooroopilly
Ward Walter Taylor Ward
Project outcomes

This project will establish:

  • the site as a park
  • the site for community use.
Latest update

Site services upgrade scheduled to commence in November 2021

About the project

The Witton Barracks Park and Community Hub project is being delivered in stages. The table below includes the completed project works to date.

This table includes project milstones from 2016-2019.
Year Completed project works
2016 Site investigations and priority remediation works were undertaken to secure the buildings within the former military site and prevent them from falling into disrepair.
2017

Approximately 5000 square metres at the front of the Witton Barracks site (bordering Lambert Road) was created as open space for community enjoyment.

Council undertook community consultation to help shape the long-term vision for the site.
2018 Council undertook maintenance works to the heritage buildings, including repair and repainting of joinery, gutters, fascias, soffits and roof sheeting. Council built the first picnic shelter and benches in the open space.
2019 Council installed a new playground and a second picnic shelter in the open space at the front of the site.

Project documents

You can download the project documents in your preferred format:

Witton Barracks services upgrade 

Council is pleased to advise works to upgrade essential services at the Witton Barracks site are scheduled to commence in late 2021. This work will be undertaken in preparation for future development of the site.

The service upgrade will include new connections to Energex and Urban Utilities networks, as well as the realignment of the services within the site to connect the buildings. It is fully funded by the Australian Government.

The upgrade is the next step in achieving the long term vision for the site, which includes the restoration of the heritage buildings into a vibrant community hub. On completion of the upgrade and pending funding availability, design and development approvals, Council will be ready to commence work on the community hub.

Development of the community hub will be delivered as a separate package of works. Council will notify the community when progress towards the development of the hub has been confirmed. 

Council thanks local residents and businesses in advance for their patience during these works.

Construction impacts

Witton Barracks Park will remain open for public use during construction, with the exception of areas where works are being undertaken. These areas will be fenced off for the safety of workers and the public, including areas where trenches for service lines will be dug throughout the park.

Residents and park visitors may experience some minor construction noise, including the use of heavy machinery and increased vehicle movements on Lambert Street and within the park. Council will make every effort to minimise disruption to residents and the local community.

The installation of services along the western side of the driveway and around the southwestern building will require the removal of a number of trees. The removals will enable Council to accommodate the widening of the driveway for parking in a future package of works to upgrade the community hub. The loss of the trees will be offset in accordance with Council policy and relevant legislation, including engaging the services of a qualified fauna spotter during tree removal works.

Future stages

Council welcomed community feedback on the future use of Witton Barracks. Suggestions provided by residents through the consultation process helped Council refine the overall concept design for the Witton Barracks site.

It is intended the various elements of the overall concept design will be delivered in stages and it is anticipated that further consultation will be undertaken in the future regarding the preservation and proposed use of the Witton Barracks buildings by the community. Future consultation may result in further refinement of the concept design for the site.

The Witton Barracks buildings are an important part of Brisbane’s heritage and are listed on the State Heritage Register. Any proposed uses of the buildings will need to be guided by suitably qualified professional heritage architects and subject to detailed assessment and approval under the appropriate legislation. This means that a firm timeframe for the use of the barracks buildings by the community cannot be given at this stage, although it is estimated that this process may take several more years.

A timeframe for other works outlined in the concept plan, including the Lambert Road precinct has not been set.

Register for updates

To stay informed about the Witton Barracks Park and Community Hub project and receive regular email updates, including future consultation, you can register your interest.

More information

If you would like to ask questions or find out more about the Witton Barracks Park and Community Hub project you can:

  • phone the project team on 1800 884 681
  • phone Council on 07 3403 8888
  • email cityprojects@brisbane.qld.gov.au
  • write to:
    Witton Barracks Park project team
    City Projects
    Brisbane City Council
    GPO Box 1434
    Brisbane Qld 4001.
Last updated: 3 November 2021
Topics: indooroopilly