UQ's Redevelopment plans
The original proposal was made in 2018, which led to the Save the UQ Union Complex in 2019, led by local community members. The COVID pandemic would prolong the campaign into 2021 when the University of Queensland agreed to 'go back to first principles' for redeveloping the Union Complex.
The current proposal for 2024 includes demolishing the old Relaxation block (building 21D) and fully decanting all Union Complex operations for three years!
2018-19
The Original Proposal
The University of Queensland announced a redevelopment plan for the UQ Union Complex in 2018, which included corporate and retail centres with a budget of $300 million. The Save the UQ Union Complex launches to oppose the redevelopment plans. Students condemned the plan as anti-intellectual as building a "a shopping mall" on campus.
2022
Renewed commitment
A joint message on the Union Complex redevelopment UQ's VC Professor Deborah Terry and UQ Student Union President, Emily Searle announces the Union Complex design returns to first principles:
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The new complex must reflect the history and voices of past student generations
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It must remain true to its original intent – a space for students to connect and belong
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It must be a safe place that stands for democracy and free speech.
2023
Redevelopment Proposal
Towards the end of 2023 at the start of the new UQ executives' term, the original plan to undertake the redevelopment in small-step phases was unexpectedly scrapped in favour of a single-phase plan due to budget constraints. The new plan would displace the entire UQ complex community for three years during the redevelopment.
2024
Finalisation of decant and budget approval
UQ unravels a more finalised arrangement for the redevelopment, including decant arrangements for the UQ Union for the next three years. Amenities to continue Kampus Kitchen and space for the Redroom Bar are not in the final redevelopment plans. UQ aims to finalise the arrangements with the UQ Union in May and have the Senate approve the budget in June. Semper Floreat undertakes a full investigation of the Union Complex and community sentiment.
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May Update - UQ has retracted the full decant arrangement (moving everyone out for three years) in favour of the original staggered decant (redevelopment done in stages). So far, information on this new arrangement is incomplete, but the amenities in the completed plan still indicate Kampus Kitchen will need to be scaled back, local businesses will still be pushed out, and temporary spaces for the equity groups remain unknown. Note: The relaxation block (21D) is still scheduled to be demolished.
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