A 23-storey apartment tower proposed near Milton is now facing objections that claim the project may not meet Brisbane’s own planning rules, shifting the debate from building height to whether the development should be approved at all.
The proposal, known as “Bloom”, has been lodged as Development Application A006954430 for land at 355 Coronation Drive and 6 Lang Parade in Auchenflower, directly bordering Milton’s riverfront corridor.
A prominent riverfront site with big ambitions
The development would deliver 90 apartments across a 23-storey tower on a site of about 1,430 square metres. Plans include four basement levels of parking, more than 150 resident car spaces, visitor parking and shared rooftop facilities.
Positioned beside the Brisbane River, the site sits near the Bicentennial Bikeway and within walking distance of the Milton ferry terminal, placing it in one of the inner west’s most visible and well-connected locations.
Planning documents describe the site as suitable for a landmark-style development, a designation used to support buildings that stand out in form and scale within their surroundings.
Height difference becomes the central fault line
The proposed height has become the focal point of the dispute.
Under the Toowong–Auchenflower Neighbourhood Plan, residents point to an expected building height of around eight storeys for a site of this size. By contrast, the proposal reaches 23 storeys, with submitted plans indicating a roof height of about 83.6 metres when rooftop elements are included.
Developers have argued the project aligns with broader planning intent for higher density in well-located areas, while residents say the scale goes far beyond what the planning framework anticipates for this precinct.
Several residents have lodged formal submissions to Council opposing the project, with a coordinated community campaign also directing locals to review the proposal and lodge objections. These documents form part of the official assessment process and must be considered before a decision is made.
Technical concerns go beyond building height
The objections extend into detailed planning and engineering issues.
Residents claim the design falls short of council requirements for parking and access, citing concerns about car space dimensions, ramp gradients, aisle widths and sightlines within the basement layout. The absence of a dedicated loading bay for a building of this size is also raised.
Submissions also note that the development would remove on-street parking spaces along Lang Parade, adding pressure to an already constrained streetscape.
These points are framed as measurable non-compliance with council standards, rather than matters of preference.
Flooding risk emerges as a key issue
Flooding has become one of the most serious concerns raised by residents.
The site is located within a known flood-prone area, and the proposal includes four levels of basement parking. Submissions state the basement entry could be inundated by more than one metre during a major flood event.
Residents have questioned whether the application reflects updated flood modelling following Brisbane’s 2022 floods and have called for further verification of safety measures, including evacuation pathways and structural resilience.
Impact on views, light and daily living
Beyond technical issues, submissions describe how the development could affect nearby residents.
Concerns include loss of river views, reduced outlook toward Mount Coot-tha, overshadowing of neighbouring properties and reduced access to winter sunlight. Privacy and the overall sense of openness in the area are also raised.
Several submissions describe the current character of the neighbourhood as a factor in their decision to live there, with expectations shaped by the existing planning framework.
Landmark status questioned by locals
While planning documents point to the site’s potential as a landmark location, residents dispute whether the proposal meets that threshold.
Submissions state the design does not demonstrate the level of architectural quality or public benefit expected of a landmark building, arguing it falls short in areas such as form, landscaping and contribution to the streetscape.
This disagreement reflects a deeper divide over how planning rules should be interpreted when a project exceeds standard limits.
Milton’s role in a broader development shift
Although the site sits within Auchenflower, its proximity to Milton places the suburb at the centre of the conversation.
Coronation Drive functions as a key link between Milton, Auchenflower and Toowong, and any major development along this corridor carries implications for traffic flow, public transport use and the overall skyline.
The proposal also sits within a wider trend of increased development interest in Brisbane’s inner-west riverfront, where access to transport and proximity to the CBD continue to attract high-density proposals.
The development is currently in the public notification phase, during which submissions from residents and stakeholders are collected and reviewed.
Published 30-April-2026
