Witton Barracks Park and Creative Community Hub project
Brisbane City Council is pleased to announce that the final stage of works on the Witton Barracks site will commence in late 2022.
The creative community hub is being delivered to expand Brisbane’s network of cultural and creative infrastructure for use by Brisbane residents. It is intended that once the site is refurbished, the facility will operate under a community lease by a creative organisation.
Since acquiring the site in 2016, Brisbane City Council has been progressively remediating and upgrading the Witton Barracks site. Works have been undertaken in stages over several years to deliver a facility that will celebrate Brisbane’s history and create more creative spaces for the community.
Witton Barracks is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register and played a vital role in military intelligence during World War II. The three cell block buildings on the site are of significant historical interest as they are the only purpose-built World War II interrogation buildings for Prisoners of War in Australia.
Summary
| Address | Witton Barracks, 9 Lambert Road, Indooroopilly |
|---|---|
| Ward | Walter Taylor Ward |
| Project outcomes |
This project will establish:
|
| Latest update | Construction is expected to begin in late 2022, weather and site conditions permitting |
About the project
The Witton Barracks Park and Creative Community Hub project has been delivered in stages. Works completed to date include:
| Year | Completed project works |
|---|---|
| 2016 | Site investigations and priority rectification works were undertaken to secure the buildings within the former military site and prevent them from falling into disrepair. |
| 2017 |
An green open space was created for community access. This involved establishing approximately 5000 square metres at the front of the Witton Barracks site (bordering Lambert Road) as open space for the community to enjoy. Community consultation was also undertaken to help shape the long-term vision for the site. |
| 2018 | Council undertookcompleted maintenance works to the heritage buildings, including repair and repainting of joinery, gutters, fascias, soffits and roof sheeting. The ; and building the first picnic shelter was constructed and benches were installed in the open spaceWitton Barracks Park. |
| 2019 | Council installed a new playground and a second picnic shelter in the new park at the front of the site. |
| 2022 |
Council completed an upgrade to site services. The service upgrade included new connections to the Energex and Urban Utilities’ networks, as well as the realignment of the services within the Barracks site to connect the buildings. Restoration and refurbishment of the Witton Barracks Creative Community Hub will commence late 2022. |
Project documents
You can download the project documents in your preferred format:
- Witton Barracks Park medium term concept design (PDF - 665kb)
- Witton Barracks Park medium term concept design (Word - 881kb)
- Witton Barracks Park consultation newsletter - July 2017 (PDF - 7Mb)
- Witton Barracks Park consultation newsletter - July 2017 (Word - 1.7Mb)
- Witton Barracks Strategic Development Masterplan Report (PDF - 12Mb)
- Witton Barracks Strategic Development Masterplan Report (Word - 28.5Mb).
Witton Barracks Creative Community Hub refurbishment project
The creative community hub will be developed to provide creative infrastructure for use by Brisbane residents.
The project will involve:
- refurbishing the three cell blocks for community use
- refurbishing the former HQ building for multi-use community spaces
- restoring the Motor Transport Cover and revitalising the exercise yard
- new pathways and landscaping
- on-site parking for creative community hub users
The refurbishment of the Witton Barracks buildings and surrounding site into a Creative Community Hub has been jointly funded by the Australian Government and Brisbane City Council.
Construction impacts
Works will commence from late 2022 and be completed by late 2023, weather and construction conditions permitting.
Construction activities will generally be undertaken between 6.30am and 6.30pm, Monday to Friday with Saturday works as required.
Witton Barracks Park will remain open for public use during construction, with the exception of the areas where works are being undertaken, which will be fenced off for the safety of workers and the public.
Local residents and businesses may experience some construction noise including the use of heavy machinery and an increase in vehicle movements within Witton Barracks Park and the surrounding area. Council will make every effort to minimise disruption to residents and the local community.
Future operator
More information will be provided to the community on the use of the Creative Community Hub once the project nears completion late next year.
Register for updates
To stay informed about Witton Barracks Park and the Creative Community Hub and receive regular email updates, you can register your interest.
More information
If you would like to ask questions or find out more about the Witton Barracks Park and Creative Community Hub project you can:
- phone the project team on 1800 884 681 (business hours)
- phone Council on 07 3403 8888 (outside of business hours)
- email the project team
- write to:
Witton Barracks Park and Creative Community Hub project team
City Projects
Brisbane City Council
GPO Box 1434
Brisbane Qld 4001.