One of Brisbane’s most prominent boys’ schools has been forced to apologise to residents for sudden works in a flood-prone field, but has continued steps to building a contentious sporting precinct across the 36-hectare grounds.
In 2010, Brisbane Boys’ College mapped out plans to convert the Oxley Golf Complex into a sporting complex boasting playing fields, tennis courts and boat sheds to back up the school’s existing boat ramp along the Brisbane River in St Lucia.
It secured approval from the Brisbane City Council in 2013, but the site fell silent until locals noticed activity in early 2026.
Corinda resident Bec Hurley said she’d felt “blindsided” by sudden works along Clivedon Avenue, on the Corinda Golf Course side of the complex.
“Construction fencing went up, then a construction sign and trucks started appearing – that was the notice received,” Hurley said.
“We’re not against development – it is inevitable – but with no community notice, no updated environmental impact studies despite two floods since the initial plans, residents are justifiably concerned.”
Hurely said locals’ main concerns was concrete slabs, levelled grounds and raised footprints for buildings would push floodwater off the site and further into neighbouring residential properties.
The school’s plans include 10 grass playing fields for sports including rugby, hockey, soccer and AFL, as well as about 16 hardcourt tennis and multipurpose courts.
The school also planned to provide several hundred car parks split across Oxley Road and Clivedon Avenue, a rowing shed, and several buildings including a gym.
The site almost entirely flooded in 2011 and 2022, and council flood maps indicted riverine flooding from the adjoining Oxley Creek posed a 5 per cent risk of flooding the site each year.
The council approved the school’s drainage plan in 2013.
Independent Tennyson ward councillor Nicole Johnston met with BBC headmaster Andre Casson on Wednesday to discuss the plans and community backlash.
Johnston said Casson had been apologetic about not forewarning locals.
“The school is now aware about being a good neighbour, and we appreciate their willingness to engage in future,” she said.
Brisbane Boy’s College said it hoped to build a strong relationship with the community, and would ensure “transparency and open communication” with Tennyson ward locals, many of whom it said were BBC parents.
The school said it expected works to finish by the mid-year, which include phase 1a of the overall sports complex development plan – a carpark and rowing sheds used by BBC and Stuartholme School.
It assured locals that plans to progress the development beyond the first stage remained a long-term goal, and that until works began, it would leave the golf complex running “for the benefit of the community”.
The grounds are currently home to the Corinda Golf Course and Oxley Driving Range, and is designated as a mixed-use sports zone.
The creek is bordered by several similar properties, including some community-use spots ground, such as the Souths Graceville Hounds Rugby League Club, as well as private grounds held by St Joseph’s College, Gregory Terrace.
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