Stones Corner is on the brink of its most significant change in more than a century, with buildings as high as 20-storeys now permitted in areas of the suburb, part of a busy retail and hotel precinct in the late 19th and early 20th centuries because of its accessibility to major routes to the south and east.
Read: Time Travel Through Stones Corner: A Walk Along the Heritage Trail
Over the years, Stones Corner has seen periods of prosperity and decline. More recently, upgrades to Hanlon Park and Norman Creek have given the community an award-winning green space, and the suburb has found a renewed sense of local identity. Now, its skyline is preparing for a new chapter.
What’s Changing
Under the approved framework, developers will be allowed to build towers up to 20 levels in designated areas of Stones Corner. The plan also makes provision for 20,000 square metres of commercial space, improved pedestrian access between streets, and stronger connections to Hanlon Park.
Supporters of the changes say they will help meet Brisbane’s housing needs, with hundreds of new residents moving to the city each week. Critics, however, have raised concerns about traffic, parking, and whether the character of the suburb can be preserved as taller buildings emerge.
A Wider Strategy
The Stones Corner plan is part of a broader push to accommodate population growth through higher-density housing in well-connected areas. A separate precinct plan has been approved for Wynnum, where buildings up to 15 storeys will be permitted around the train station.
Similar changes are being considered in other suburbs. Around Indooroopilly, Carindale, and Nundah, building heights may also rise significantly as part of an anti-sprawl approach that directs growth towards existing transport and shopping hubs rather than expanding the city’s footprint.
Balancing Growth and Heritage
Community views remain divided. Some residents see potential benefits in new housing and commercial opportunities. Others worry about the impact of large-scale development on local streets and on the heritage character of Stones Corner.
Cr Fiona Cunningham, who represents the area, said the planning process had prompted valuable discussions about how to balance growth with the preservation of culture and heritage.
Read: Hanlon Park Rejuvenation Pays Off: Park’s Quick Recovery After the March 2025 Floods
Looking Ahead
The Stones Corner Suburban Renewal Precinct Plan will now proceed to Queensland for review before development applications can begin.
The suburb has already undergone cycles of growth, decline, and renewal. The introduction of towers up to 20 storeys marks another turning point, one that will shape how Stones Corner evolves in the decades to come.
Published 2-October-2025
