Brisbane development Archives

McDonald’s West End Construction Draws Complaints Over 4:00 a.m. Work

West End residents have raised concerns over repeated overnight construction noise at a new McDonald’s development, including activity recorded around 4:00 a.m. or hours after authorised site work had ended.

Published accounts from neighbours near the Melbourne Street site describe months of disruption from heavy machinery, reversing trucks, drilling and unloading activity. The complaints have raised questions about whether overnight work at the site remained within council-approved hours.

In comments published in earlier media reports, Brisbane City Council said there was no approval for construction work at the site at 4:00 a.m. Previously reported footage from the site showed workers unloading steel at about that hour.

Located at 220 Melbourne Street on the West End–South Brisbane border, the fast-food outlet is set to operate 24 hours a day upon completion later in 2026.

Months of overnight disruption

Nearby residents have reported hearing cranes, drills, reversing trucks and other heavy machinery during overnight works. Some have said activity occurred more frequently than they understood was permitted, while others reported receiving no advance notice before some late-night operations.

The construction site sits in an inner-city area containing residential and commercial properties, placing overnight works in close proximity to nearby households and businesses.

Strict limits on night approvals

Brisbane City Council records confirm contractor Store Tec Pty Ltd obtained an out-of-hours construction approval for 220 Melbourne Street.

Photo Credit: DA A007012001/Development.i BCC

Brisbane noise rules prohibit clearly audible building-work noise within an affected building between 6:30 p.m. and 6:30 a.m., Monday to Saturday. Clearly audible building-work noise is also prohibited at all times on Sundays and public holidays, excluding Saturday public holidays, unless authorised by a development approval.

An out-of-hours approval does not grant unrestricted round-the-clock access. Council guidelines state that only the works and locations specified in an approval may be undertaken during the approved days and times.

Details released for the Melbourne Street project show Store Tec held approval for work between 9:00 p.m. and 2:00 a.m. on designated nights. Council said there was no approval for work at the site at 4:00 a.m.

Earlier project notices advised nearby residents and businesses of planned overnight works, with most activity expected to finish by about 1:00 a.m.

Construction continues as neighbours seek clarity

Construction is continuing ahead of the restaurant’s planned opening later in 2026, while questions remain over the reported early morning activities.

No formal enforcement action over the reported 4:00 a.m. activity had been publicly identified at the time of publication. McDonald’s has said it is reviewing the concerns with its construction partners, while affected residents can report suspected out-of-hours building noise to Brisbane City Council.

BCC NOISE RESTRICTION AND COMPLAINTS

Published 31-Aug-2026

Traders in Purple Lodges New Three-Tower Proposal in West End

Photo Credit: Traders in Purple

Traders in Purple has lodged amended plans for its recently acquired Montague Road site in West End, proposing three residential towers and new green links to Davies Park.

A Site with a Long Design History

The 1.6-hectare landholding at 281–297 Montague Road has seen multiple iterations over recent years. The site was formerly owned by Sydney-based Henroth Group, which in 2020 sought approval for two 24-storey residential towers comprising 470 apartments.

BCC later approved a reduced scheme in 2023 for two towers of 18 and 20 storeys and 345 apartments. Earlier still, Henroth’s original submission featured five buildings between six and twelve storeys with 434 dwellings. The company eventually redirected its attention to another project in New South Wales before selling the West End property to Traders in Purple in May 2025 for an undisclosed amount.

Brisbane development — Photo Credit: Traders in Purple

A New Plan for Montague Road

Under the revised concept, Traders in Purple proposes three slimmer towers rising 19, 18 and 16 storeys, delivering 403 apartments across the 1.6-hectare site. The plan aims to open the previously private land to the public with heavily landscaped walkways connecting Montague Road to Davies Park for the first time.

These green corridors will include seating areas, tropical planting, and active retail spaces suited to cafés, restaurants, and local services. About 15 per cent of the site will be allocated for public use, including an extension to Davies Park and provisions for future widening of Montague Road.

Architecture Rooted in Local Character

Rothelowman Architects has designed the project to echo the features of classic Queenslander homes. The tower facing Davies Park will include a rotunda at ground level with decorative screening reminiscent of traditional timber façades.

The design introduces a green pedestrian spine through the centre of the development, extending the vibrancy of Vulture Street into Davies Park and towards the Brisbane River. The proposal focuses on connecting residents and visitors through open, shaded pathways and landscaped gathering areas.

Meeting Demand for Diverse Housing

The proposed dwellings will range from one to three bedrooms, targeting a broad spectrum of buyers including first home seekers, working couples, families and downsizers. The development also plans to incorporate shared resident amenities to support social connection within the precinct.

Traders in Purple noted that West End’s median house price, now around $1.86 million, has created barriers to entry for many. The apartment mix is expected to provide a more attainable option for those wanting to live close to the inner city while still enjoying the suburb’s established community and riverside setting.

Strengthening the West End Precinct

This proposal marks Traders in Purple’s sixteenth project in Queensland and its second in West End, following the launch of Rivara earlier this year, where strong early sales reflected continuing demand for local apartment living.

The Montague Road site’s proximity to the CBD, riverfront, and public transport positions it as a key infill location supporting sustainable urban growth. The emphasis on green links and public access aligns with broader renewal efforts occurring throughout the inner south.

What Happens Next

The amended development application is under assessment by BCC. If approved, the three-tower scheme will transform the former Henroth site into a mixed-use residential precinct integrating public green space, retail activity, and enhanced pedestrian connections to Davies Park.

Published 5-Nov-2025

West End Site Earmarked for 1,100 New Homes, Parks and Laneways

A $2-billion proposal is set to reshape West End, where developer ICD Property has lodged plans for a six-tower riverfront precinct that will introduce more than 1,100 new homes, parks and public spaces along Donkin and Buchanan streets.

The project site covers more than 16,800 square metres of former industrial land, stretching across four street frontages and 200 metres of direct frontage to Riverside Drive. Under the design by Plus Studio, the plan features five towers of 30 storeys and one tower of 12 storeys.

Donkin and Buchanan streets West End — Photo Credit: DA A006867661

The masterplan responds to the city’s demand for housing as population growth continues to outpace supply, with vacancy rates at historic lows.

ICD Property has confirmed the development will be staged, with the first two towers containing more than 400 apartments expected to be completed by 2030. This schedule places the first stage ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympics, aligning the delivery of new housing with a period of significant urban change.

Community and Public Spaces

The scheme includes laneways lined with restaurants, cafes and market spaces, with two new public parks forming part of the community setting. More than 5,000 square metres of open space will be accessible to residents and the wider public, including subtropical boulevards and landscaped connections to the river.

Several mature fig trees, some older than 200 years, will be retained on the site. These trees have been incorporated into the design as central features of the open space network, reflecting the suburb’s established natural character and ecological history.

Housing Diversity and Design Features

In addition to high-rise apartments, the development incorporates townhouse-style homes. Sixteen two-storey townhouses will face Riverside Drive, with a further 11 located along a laneway between Donkin Street and Hockings Street, and two facing Buchanan Street.

The rooftop and podium levels will include shared amenities such as a lap pool, spa, sauna, gym, amphitheatre, coworking areas and exercise studios. Bridges will connect Towers One and Three over the laneway, increasing access and reinforcing the sense of a unified neighbourhood.

Planning Pathway

The planning application, DA A006867661, is currently before Council, with a decision anticipated in early to mid-2026. If approved, the project will proceed in four stages, providing a long-term contribution to Brisbane’s inner-south housing supply and community infrastructure.

ICD Property has emphasised that the development seeks to extend West End’s tradition of connection to culture, community and the Brisbane River. Plus Studio has described the opportunity as a chance to transform an underutilised industrial site into a residential and community-focused landmark.

Published 7-Oct-2025