The conversation around Northshore Hamilton is no longer just about plans on paper. Across the riverfront precinct, the focus is shifting toward the roads, services and flood-resilient infrastructure needed to support one of Brisbane’s biggest urban renewal projects.
Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) and engineering firms involved in the precinct say the project has now entered a critical transition point, with major groundwork underway ahead of large-scale vertical development.
Five riverfront development sites released earlier this year are expected to eventually deliver around 3,000 homes across six hectares along MacArthur Avenue. The sites sit inside the Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area, a 304-hectare precinct earmarked for long-term mixed-use growth.
Recent updates from EDQ and project partners highlight the scale of infrastructure now being rolled out behind the scenes.
Engineering firm ADG Engineers said its work has focused on climate-resilient roads, streetscapes and digital infrastructure capable of supporting future mixed-use development across the precinct.
The company said the project has involved working through difficult ground conditions, existing trunk services and sustainability targets while preparing the area for future residential growth.
According to project material released by EDQ, Northshore Hamilton stretches 2.5 kilometres along the Brisbane River and is planned to accommodate more than 14,000 homes and around 24,500 residents over the coming decade.
The development sites released to market earlier this year include parcels along MacArthur Avenue, roughly six kilometres from Brisbane’s CBD and eight kilometres from Brisbane Airport.
EDQ has promoted the sites as a rare opportunity for large-scale riverfront development close to Portside Wharf, with panoramic city and river views forming a key part of the pitch to developers.
The precinct’s planning framework has also been reshaped in recent months through amendments to the Northshore Hamilton PDA Development Scheme, which the state says will help accelerate housing delivery and reduce planning delays.
The revised scheme is intended to support faster approvals and coordinated infrastructure delivery across the PDA, with the government arguing the changes could help unlock up to 10,000 homes more quickly.
The housing pipeline forms part of Queensland’s broader push to increase supply ahead of continued population growth and the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
At ground level, however, much of the visible activity remains focused on preparing the precinct itself.
Works already underway at the western end of Northshore Hamilton are helping create development-ready lots for future residential construction. Preparatory works tied to the MacArthur Avenue upgrade are also progressing, including the removal of ageing wharf structures and temporary road connections to maintain local access during construction.
EDQ says flood resilience remains a major part of the project, with future road upgrades designed to improve how the precinct performs during major weather events.
The broader vision extends well beyond housing alone. Plans for the precinct include retail, hospitality, riverfront parklands and public spaces intended to turn the former industrial waterfront into a high-density riverside community.
Future riverfront parklands tied to the development are expected to follow in 2029.
Published 1-May- 2026
