Brisbane Russia's Compatriots Community Centre

Introduction

Current Brisbane City Council (BCC) Draft for the Woolloongabba local plan, as developed by the Wooloongabba Centre Plan Team, reclassifies Lotus St from Light Industry Area to High Density Residential. On the 13/6/08, present Queensland Russian Community Centre (QRCC) Management lodged a submission with BCC to amend this Draft City Plan to allow QRCC to continue its historic association with the Brisbane Russian speaking community. At the very least QRCC was asking for the Lotus St site to be designated as "Special Area" within the proposed High Density Residential Area with recognition of its special needs.

Before the above draft proposal is finalized by the BCC, there is a "Window of Opportunity" for QRCC to submit to the Council, plans for any redevelopment that it envisages. Within current guidelines, such building can be up to six storeys in height.

Given that the present building at Lotus St has a number of limitations including constant demand for voluntary work (without which it generates insufficient income to match the expenses), the Brisbane Russia's Compatriot Community (BRCC) has an opportunity to redesign and build a new facility at Lotus St.

Listed below are some of the facilities that could be incorporated into such Centre and (if it meets with the BCC approval) which could, not only enrich Brisbane and the local High Density Residential Woolloongabba precinct, but also provide BRCC with a valuable self sustaining asset both in the short term and future generations.