One of Brisbane's largest urban renewal projects has taken a major step forward, with the Queensland Government revealing plans for the transformation of the former Visy glass manufacturing site into what many are describing as a "new South Bank" for the city. The 7.1-hectare riverfront site at South Brisbane will be redeveloped by Lendlease into a mixed-use precinct combining housing, public spaces, retail, hospitality and recreational facilities.
Located along Montague Road between South Brisbane and West End, the site occupies one of the last significant undeveloped stretches of inner-city Brisbane riverfront land. The state government purchased the property in 2022 for a proposed Olympic broadcast centre, but that plan was later abandoned following a review of Brisbane 2032 infrastructure projects. The land is now being repositioned as a major residential and lifestyle destination.
Under the proposed master plan, the precinct will deliver more than 4,000 new homes spread across multiple residential towers. Plans also include approximately 1.2 hectares of publicly accessible riverfront parkland, extensive pedestrian and cycling connections, boardwalks, plazas, event spaces and entertainment areas designed to improve public access to the Brisbane River.
Developers say the project aims to create a vibrant mixed-use community that blends housing with public amenities. The vision includes riverside promenades, hospitality venues, cafes, open green spaces and community facilities. The development is intended to extend the lifestyle appeal of the nearby South Bank precinct while accommodating Brisbane's growing population.
The project is also expected to generate significant economic benefits. Government estimates suggest construction activities will support approximately 2,100 jobs annually during development, with around 1,000 ongoing jobs created once the precinct becomes operational.
Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie described the redevelopment as a city-shaping project that would help address housing demand while creating a new public destination on the river. Lendlease executives said the project represents a rare opportunity to transform a strategic riverfront site into a long-term legacy asset for Brisbane.
The former Visy facility is expected to remain operational until 2027, after which redevelopment work can begin. Planning and consultation processes will continue over the next year, with community feedback expected to play a role in shaping the final master plan.
The redevelopment forms part of broader changes occurring across South Brisbane and the Kurilpa peninsula, where several former industrial sites are being converted into residential, commercial and recreational precincts. Urban planners believe the Visy redevelopment could significantly reshape Brisbane's inner-city riverfront and become one of the city's defining projects leading into the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games era.
