Residents in Hamilton and neighbouring Albion have voiced strong concerns about a proposal to increase the height of a planned apartment tower on Kingsford Smith Drive to 19 storeys, as the development enters its formal public notification phase.
The proposal for 92 Kingsford Smith Drive (DA A006899065), lodged by Licastro Developments, is now open for community submissions, with the notification period commencing on 8 December 2025 and remaining open until 13 January 2026. During this time, locals are invited to respond to the amended application, which lifts the tower’s height from 16 to 19 storeys, expands the project to 85 apartments, adjusts internal layouts, and modestly increases parking.
While the developer says the uplift responds to “changed market conditions and constructability considerations,” residents in surrounding streets say the impacts on infrastructure, parking, traffic, safety and property values could be significant.
If approved, the additional apartments would increase the site’s population density. This may support nearby businesses through increased foot traffic, while also adding to demand on local transport connections and parking—matters usually considered during Council review.
Parking Shortages, Infrastructure Strain and Loss of Views
Multiple submissions lodged with Council raise concerns about the neighbourhood’s capacity to absorb another high-density development.
A formal objection submitted on behalf of the Body Corporate for Breakfast Point CTS 46337, located at 31 Agnes Street in Albion, states that “the size of this development will be detrimental to local infrastructure,” adding that it will “further add to the already extremely difficult and lack of parking in the area and block views due to the height of the proposed building.”
The submission notes that two other developments are already underway in the same vicinity and raises concerns about how the developer and Council will manage cumulative parking impacts—particularly in the lead-up to the Olympic Games, when major upgrades and increased movement are expected around the Albion Park Raceway site.
The Body Corporate expressed worries that the loss of views caused by the increased tower height could negatively affect the value of existing lots.
The same objection calls on Council to review the area’s parking conditions, public transport frequency, and car-share options, warning that “limited parking available… will only get worse when the Albion Park Raceway is developed for the Olympics.”
Years of Congestion, Noise, Overflow Parking and Safety Issues
A detailed personal submission from long-term residents of Rive Apartments documents more than a decade of escalating parking shortages, traffic congestion and amenity impacts associated with multiple developments in the precinct.
They note that five high-rise buildings already contribute to overcrowding, with many units providing only one parking space despite being tenanted by households with multiple cars. Overflow parking has pushed vehicles into “very narrow adjoining streets causing congestion and unnecessary noise and pollution in this very small 4 street precinct.”
The letter also outlines ongoing safety concerns, including speeding on Yulestar and Amy Streets, inadequate traffic calming, and the lack of a pedestrian crossing requested by residents but rejected by Council.
Residents further cite long-standing stormwater drainage issues, recalling that during the 2022 floods Rive Apartments “lost over 100 cars due to heavy rainfall,” with water pouring into basement fire exits, blowing doors off hinges, and destroying lifts that took “over 15 months to reinstate.” They attribute part of the flooding impact to “lack of maintenance to the BCC infrastructure” which prevented stormwater from draining adequately.
In addition, the submission details daily parking pressure caused by visitors to the Breakfast Creek Hotel, The View Hotel, and city commuters parking in the precinct before catching buses into the CBD.
Collectively, residents argue that these issues demonstrate that the precinct “can’t provide enough parking and has created hardships for many residents,” urging Council to examine and resolve existing problems “before any further development is allowed.”
Notification Period Opens Pathway for Formal Community Input
The tower’s prominent position on Kingsford Smith Drive means any height changes will be evident from the surrounding area. As Hamilton continues to experience pockets of redevelopment, some locals may be interested in how this project fits within broader planning goals for liveability and density in the suburb. Brisbane City Council will ultimately determine whether the uplift complies with neighbourhood planning and design expectations.
Published 9-Dec-2025