Activate Sandgate

What could Sandgate look like in 20 years? Let’s decide together

Earlier this year, Brisbane City Council announced the Sandgate suburban precinct renewal plan. Activate Sandgate has been created as a starting point for community conversation – not a final plan.

We’ve worked with independent planning and design experts to develop a series of concept ideas and visualisations (check them out below) that explore what could be possible for the Sandgate CBD and Einbunpin Lagoon area over the next 20–30 years.

These are conversation starters for our community.

The Brisbane City Council has opened consultation on the Sandgate Centre Suburban Renewal Precinct Plan – CLOSES 28 JUNE!

Why This Matters

Sandgate has a strong history as one of Brisbane’s original bayside destinations – a place people came to relax, connect and stay.

Today, we’re facing new challenges:

Limited housing diversity
Reduced foot traffic for local businesses
An ageing population
Fewer reasons for younger families to stay long-term

Doing nothing is still a decision – and it shapes our future just as much as action does.

What We’re Exploring (Not Deciding)

The concepts look at how the CBD could evolve while respecting what people already love about Sandgate.

This includes ideas like:

Improving access and usability of Einbunpin Lagoon
Creating more inviting public and community spaces
Supporting local businesses and jobs
Increasing housing options for different life stages
Improving walkability and connection through the precinct
Some concepts explore building up within the existing footprint – but no decisions have been made.

Where You Come In

The community needs to shape what’s right for Sandgate.

Over the coming months, there will be opportunities to:
Share feedback on the ideas
Tell us what you value most about Sandgate
Highlight what you don’t want to change
Suggest what’s missing

And later this year Brisbane City Council will commence their consultation on the Sandgate suburban precinct renewal plan.

What This Is (and Isn’t)

✔ A long-term conversation about Sandgate’s future
✔ Early-stage ideas to help visualise possibilities
✔ A chance for locals to influence what happens next

✘ Not a final plan
✘ Not a development application
✘ Not something that will happen overnight

Be Part of the Conversation

Activate! Sandgate! is about community voice. Together, we can shape a town centre that reflects who we are and where we’re going. 

Have your say and be part of Sandgate’s future. Stay in the loop for consultation updates and opportunities to have your say and follow the Facebook page Activate! Sandgate! for the latest updates. 

Sandgate Economic Report

Over the past year, Activate Sandgate commissioned Urban Economics to dig deep into who we are, where we’re headed, and what we could be.

In summary the reality is that our population is stalled, our community is aging and young families aren’t choosing to settle here.

The report also maps out exactly what we need to turn that around, and what could help Sandgate, including:

The Gas Works (remediation complete 2025–26): Prime real estate for medium-density retirement or family housing—right next to the station
Fill the Short-Term Accommodation Gap: Visitors and business travelers have nowhere to stay. Boutique accommodation could be a real drawcard.
Activate Einbunpin Lagoon Year-Round: Weekend markets, casual dining, cycle hire, permanent facilities—not just one annual festival
Transform Brighton Rd & Rainbow St: Refurbish as a walkable dining & leisure precinct with cafés, breweries, artisan spaces—like the “Top of Town” example in Ipswich
Close the Health Services Gap: We need more GPs, allied health, and wellbeing facilities to serve our aging community properly
Build What Locals Need: 200+ demand for downsizing/retirement units—we’re only providing 83. Empty nesters want to stay local.

The question isn’t whether Sandgate can thrive. The question is whether we’re ready to act on this.

View the report here

Concept ideas and visualisations

Concept ideas and visualisations that explore what could be possible for the Sandgate CBD and Einbunpin Lagoon area over the next 20–30 years. These are conversation starters for our community.

CBD area map and key ingredients for consideration

Visualisation concept for conversation of what could be possible for the Einbunpin Lagoon area

Visualisation concept for conversation demonstrating how the landscape from the Beach front, up Fourth Ave and into the Sandgate Business Precinct could look – this focuses on the Sandgate CBD.

Concept and visualisation of the CBD area map (similar to what Brisbane City Council is considering) demonstrating a cross section of Fourth Avenue showing how the the landscape could look