Big Plans for Brisbane’s Highest Point Revealed

Lofty and long-awaited plans have been lodged for a multi-million-dollar make-over of Brisbane’s landmark Mount Coot-tha summit.

Four years after the summit restaurant in the precinct’s heritage-listed kiosk was closed, the covers have finally come off details of the proposed revitalisation of the city’s highest point.

Queensland hospitality operator Mantle Group—lessee of the popular tourist spot’s venues—is behind the proposal, which was recently filed with the Brisbane City Council.

Under its plans, the historic kiosk restaurant would be refurbished to its former glory and the existing cafe—not deemed of heritage significance—replaced with a two-level pavilion clad in bluestone mined from the base of Mount Coot-tha.

The modern pavilion would comprise a dining area, gin distillery, and a rooftop outdoor cafe and edible native garden with plants grown to be used by the restaurant below.

If approved, the Hogg and Lamb-designed scheme would be developed in two stages.

“The proposal will deliver a significant enhancement to the character, appearance and amenity of the summit precinct,” submitted planning documents said.

“Furthermore, ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympics Games, the precinct’s revitalisation will help to restore vitality to a key iconic landmark and celebrate Brisbane’s natural environment, cultural values and enviable lifestyle.”

According to the development application, the proposal “aims to reinforce Mt Coot-tha as the pre-eminent landmark destination for Brisbane residents and visitors”.

“The proposed redevelopment of the kiosk and lookout site aims to acknowledge its significance and value to local communities as well as an historic space which pre-dates white settlement,” an architectural design statement said.

“Although a much-loved destination the current arrival experience and circulation through the summit is awkward and could be improved.

“The proposed plan suggests several alterations to clarify the arrival experience and encourage people to explore the site.”

It described the cafe’s replacement as “a discreet, modern pavilion”.

“Clearly distinct in style from the heritage listed kiosk, the simple form is largely transparent and open.

“The orientation of the building allows for the maximum visibility through the glazed facade so that visitors approaching from the upper carpark are drawn towards the city views.

“Organic forms reflect the existing landscape while creating outdoor rooms which encourage investigation.”

When viewed from the lookout, the new pavilion’s “green roof” of native edible plants—replacing the existing terracotta roof—would “add a layer of interest in the foreground of the city view”.

“Coot-tha means ‘place of honey’, the presence of native bees on the roof becomes a prompt for this story to be told,” it said.

The Mt Coot-tha kiosk was constructed in 1918 and along with the lookout is a state heritage place, listed on the Queensland Heritage Register as having state heritage significance.

“The kiosk has had numerous additions in its life, the latest proposal will expand the dining space and create a beautiful connection to an existing fig tree,” the DA said.

“These canopy views will become a part of the dining experience for the [244sq m] extension as well as creating a northern outlook to the existing dining spaces. The building extension is modern and distinct yet sympathetic to the scale of the existing heritage building.”

The Mt Coot-tha Parklands—rising to 226m above the surrounding city—was established in 1933 and is state owned land, leased to the council under a deed of grant and trust. In the current lease arrangement for the 9024sq m site, the council subleases The Summit Restaurant and The Summit Cafe.