GENERAL practitioners, medical specialists and allied health practitioners could soon move into the former Fairfax Media print site at Ormiston.
Redland City Council on Wednesday approved an application for part of the building on the corner of Finucane Road and Delancy Street to be used for health care services.
Council officers said that the proposal was for the medical practitioners to occupy about 2600 square metres, while the balance of the 5800 square metre building would be for low impact industry.
"The proposed development will occupy less than 50 per cent of the existing building, with the balance intended to be used for an appropriate industrial use as a warehouse," officers said.
The building would be refitted internally and an extra 73 car parks provided, bringing the total to 169.
Further landscaping would be done in the parking area.
Officers said that clustering health care services around the Redland Hospital accorded with planning principles but enough space for buildings and infrastructure like access and parking was critical.
There was only one access into Weippin Street where health care facilities were clustered and parking was at a premium, posing concerns for elderly patients.
"The potential to further develop the precinct and resolve access and parking issues is a medium to long-term prospect that is currently the subject of a master planning process," officers said.
The proposed Ormiston centre was not considered to conflict with the specialist zone near the hospital.
Congratulating the applicant Stephen Lambourne, Cr Murray Elliott said it was a great proposal for a building that was a good entry statement for Cleveland.
Mayor Karen Williams said the health care sector was a huge growth area in the Redlands.
Fairfax Media put the landmark 5.19 hectare property on the market last year in September.
The Bulletin's office is now at 38-44 Enterprise Street, Cleveland.
Read more local news here.
