Development approval for Ascot Aurora’s derelict and unfinished development on Lamington Avenue has expired, with the future of the site still unknown.
A Brisbane City Council spokesperson has said the developer Poly Global will now have to go to the Planning and Environment Court to renew the approval.
A plan for 219 townhouses and 15 apartments was approved by the council on December 20, 2019, but the state government’s Planning Act 2016 requires owners to complete their project within six years from their original approval.
Approval expired on December 20, 2025.
The question now remains for purchasers who have put down deposits on the apartments as to whether they will receive a refund under the sunset clause of their contracts or whether the developer will restart construction.
In January 2025, a spokesperson for the Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning said the state government does not have any powers under the Planning Act 2016 to compel the developer to complete the development.
Similarly, a council spokesperson confirmed last month that local governments in Queensland do not have powers to force owners to complete developments.
According to Poly Global’s project overview document, it was originally estimated that the project would be completed by June 2022.
However, a dispute between the developer and the builder, GCB Constructions, about design changes which allegedly added to costs saw works grind to a halt around December 2022.
GCB Constructions went into administration in July 2023.
While the construction site sits rusting, attracting vermin in the overgrown weeds, the developer still neatly maintains an area of public parkland set aside as part of the approval.
This grassy area, complete with trees for shade and concrete walkways, is fenced off and inaccessible to the public.
A council spokesperson said: “Council does not currently own the parkland and so we are unable to make it available to the public.”
“In the meantime, our council team will continue to investigate community concerns should they arise,” the spokesperson said.
Poly Global is a Chinese development company whose major shareholder is the Chinese government.
Village Voice contacted Poly Global for a response but received no reply.
