Early works are now underway at Brisbane Boys’ College’s Oxley sporting precinct site, following compliance approvals issued in 2025 that support sports and education facilities development under existing approvals.
The school is moving ahead with development on its Oxley property following the approval of two compliance assessments in 2025 for land fronting Cliveden Avenue and Oxley Road.
Property And Development Scope And Latest Approvals
The Oxley property is owned by Brisbane Boys’ College, whose main campus is located in Toowong. The land, previously used as a driving range and golf club, spans approximately 35 hectares and fronts 433 Cliveden Avenue and 980 Oxley Road.
Planning records describe the approved development as allowing education-related uses, indoor sport and recreation, parking areas, internal access roads and supporting infrastructure across the site.
Two compliance-related applications were approved in 2025 for the Oxley site. A construction management plan was approved on 14 October 2025, and an acid sulphate soils management plan was approved on 7 November 2025. For both applications, public notification is listed as not applicable in the planning register.
Why The Proposal Drew Opposition
Earlier submissions and community materials outlined objections to the scale and placement of facilities on the Oxley land.
The site was described as flood-prone, with concerns that additional buildings, fill, vegetation clearing or changes to watercourses could increase flood impacts on nearby homes and local roads.
Objections focused on the inclusion of tennis courts and a multi-use indoor court near residential properties, particularly along the Cliveden Avenue frontage, citing potential impacts from noise.
Concerns were also raised about stormwater management, waterways, biodiversity protection and vegetation management linked to the size and intensity of the proposed development.
Traffic and access were another focus, with references to increased vehicle movements affecting Cliveden Avenue, Oxley Road, Oxley Station Road and Cook Street.
Planning History
A material change of use application was submitted in October 2010 to enable education purposes, indoor sport and recreation, and a medical centre on the Oxley land.
The application was publicly notified between 31 March 2011 and 20 May 2011 and was approved on 27 March 2013.
A revised application was lodged in September 2016 and approved in July 2017, retaining the same categories of use under a different assessment pathway.
What Happens Next
With the original approvals and the 2025 compliance assessments in place, works on the Oxley property may proceed in line with the recorded conditions and management plans associated with the Brisbane Boys’ College site.
Brisbane Boys’ College has apologised to nearby residents after sudden works were noticed along Cliveden Avenue in early 2026, despite the broader Oxley sporting precinct plans having been approved years earlier. Residents felt “blindsided” after construction fencing and signage appeared and trucks began arriving, with concerns raised about the lack of community notice and the absence of updated environmental impact studies following major floods since the initial approvals.
The school expects the current works to finish by mid-year and describes the activity as phase 1a of the overall development plan, including a car park and rowing sheds to be used by BBC and Stuartholme School. It also notes the site continues to operate as the Corinda Golf Course and Oxley Driving Range and is designated as a mixed-use sports zone, while longer-term plans beyond the initial stage remain an ongoing goal.
Published 25-Jan-2026
