Student residence complex, St Lucia campus

UQ is building a second student residence complex at its St Lucia campus, which will provide an additional 1,018 student accommodation places on campus. 

The new complex, scheduled to open for Semester 2 2027, will be operated by UQ Res. 

Located on Walcott Street adjacent to Kev Carmody House, the purpose-built complex will provide UQ students from regional, remote and international destinations with competitively-priced accommodation.

Once completed, UQ students will have access to more than 4,500 purpose-built student accommodation places through UQ-owned accommodation and 10 affiliated residential colleges on our St Lucia campus. 

This page will be updated regularly with information about the project and upcoming works. 

See current works and how we're managing construction impacts below

On-campus home for students

The complex is a home away from home for students designed to promote community building, support student wellbeing and provide a positive environment to enhance their university experience. 

The complex will have 3 buildings, with a diverse mix of spaces for use by students. The buildings will be 6 to 10 storeys and are sympathetically designed in line with other surrounding accommodation buildings and the natural topography of Walcott Street.  

Managing construction impacts and maintaining safety

UQ acknowledges this is a large construction project and is committed to minimising the disruption to surrounding neighbours.  

A construction management plan is in place to ensure compliance with environmental and safety obligations, and minimise noise, dust and other disruptions where possible.    

A traffic management plan is in place to manage the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians in the area, as well as parking along Walcott Street and Coldridge Street.

During construction, Walcott Street remains open with a 40 kilometre per hour speed limit. 

Traffic controllers are being used as required to manage the movement of trucks and heavy machinery in and out of the site and occasional traffic changes.

There is a pedestrian detour on Walcott Street (between Sir Fred Schonell Drive and Hood Street), with pedestrians advised to use Hood Street, Services Road and Glasshouse Road. Signage is in place to direct local traffic and pedestrians. 

There is no parking on Walcott Street (between Sir Fred Schonell Drive and Hood Street). Signage is in place to indicate where parking is prohibited. Vehicles parked in the restricted area will have to be towed so that works can proceed.

During site establishment, vegetation was removed under the advice and guidance of an external arboriculturist, fauna spotter and in accordance with Brisbane City Council’s (BCC) Natural Assets Local Law 2003 permit. To offset the removal of trees from the site, the University will plant 28 native trees on campus and on project completion, the student residence will be landscaped to include native flora.

All works will be conducted in line with Brisbane City Council (BCC) guidelines. Where possible, this will Monday to Friday from 6.30am to 6.30pm. Saturday work will only be as required.

Current works

The timing of works may change pending weather and ground conditions. 

Tower crane installation – June 2025

In preparation for above ground building works, 3 large tower cranes will be installed to the site. The first of these will be installed on Friday 6 June and Monday 9 June 2025.

Works will involve delivery, set up and commissioning of a temporary crane and tower crane for Building 1. There will be increased truck movements in and out of site, and intermittent construction noise, with measures in place to minimise disruption as much as possible.

Contractors will proactively work to minimise noise, using radios instead of whistles and minimising truck idling.

Walcott St will remain open with traffic control in place to ensure safe movement of pedestrians and vehicles.

The 2 remaining cranes for Building 2 and 3 will be installed during the mid-year break and more information will be provided ahead of these works.  

Earth works and excavation – Q4 2024 to Q2 2025 

Bulk earth works are now completed. The removal of contaminated soil by licensed contractors is expected to be completed in mid-2025.

Detailed excavation is ongoing in preparation for the installation of building foundations.

An environmental consultant is on site to ensure waste is dealt with in accordance with legislation and the Soil Disposal Permit. Asbestos removal is carried out by licensed professionals in line with relevant legislation. Personal protective equipment is worn by workers as needed and air monitors are in place. 

Bored piers – Q1/Q2 2025

Installation of bored piers for the buildings’ foundations are underway.

To minimise construction impacts, bored piers have been chosen for construction as it produces less noise and vibrations than driven piles. Dust suppression measures are being used.  

There will be increased truck movements and traffic control is in place to ensure the safe movement of vehicles and pedestrians. 
All works will be carried out in-line with the construction management plan.  

Contact

For enquiries about these planned works, email SRP2@uq.edu.au.

Artist impressions of the new student residences