Toombul Shopping Centre
A formerly enclosed suburban shopping centre in Toombul, Brisbane, Australia.
Last updated August 24, 2026
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Overview
Toombul Shopping Centre was an enclosed suburban shopping centre in the Brisbane locality of Toombul, within the suburb of Nundah, Queensland. It opened on 11 October 1967 under the Westfield Group and became an important retail destination for Brisbane's northern suburbs. At its height, the centre combined discount department stores, supermarkets, cinemas, dining, and more than 140 specialty retailers. Its major anchors included Target, Kmart, Coles, Aldi, and an eight-screen Event Cinema complex, while specialty tenants included retailers such as Daiso. The centre underwent several remodels and extensions during its operating life. Its final major enhancement involved a dining and entertainment precinct on the second level, intended to refresh the offer of an ageing suburban complex. Toombul was once regarded as the largest shopping centre on Brisbane's northside, but its relative position weakened after the major redevelopment of Westfield Chermside in 1999–2000 and the growth of competing retail destinations in Chermside, Nundah, and near Brisbane Airport. By the middle of the 2000s, the centre faced concerns about its ageing physical structure, increasing competition, vacancies, and management performance. It was announced for sale in August 2008. A significant tenant transition followed when David Jones announced in July 2010 that it would leave after approximately 35 years at the centre. The department store closed in January 2011 and its space was subsequently occupied by Target. The property was renamed Toombul in November 2013, following the rebranding of Centro Properties Group as Federation Centres. Mirvac acquired the centre in May 2016. Its initial plans focused on improving parking, convenience, and the retail mix, with longer-term consideration of new entertainment and dining uses. A proposed small-format Bunnings store was also announced in 2016 for the former BI-LO/Coles area, with an anticipated opening in 2017. The centre's operating history ended after the February 2022 Brisbane floods. Three consecutive days of heavy rain caused extensive inundation across southeast Queensland, and the entire Toombul precinct was severely damaged. After inspections, Mirvac concluded that the building was not safe or commercially practical to reopen. In May 2022 it advised retailers that leases would be terminated rather than restoring the centre to its previous condition. Subsequent public discussion considered rebuilding retail space alongside open space and flood-mitigation measures. Demolition began in February 2024, marking the physical removal of the former shopping centre while planning for the site's longer-term future continued.
History
Toombul Shopping Centre opened on 11 October 1967 in the Brisbane locality of Toombul, part of Nundah in Queensland. Developed under the Westfield Group, it was established as an enclosed suburban shopping destination for Brisbane's northern suburbs. Its retail format combined department-store anchors, grocery shopping, specialty stores, food outlets, and entertainment. The centre expanded and was remodelled several times. At one stage it was the largest shopping centre on Brisbane's northside, although its competitive position changed after Westfield Chermside underwent a major redevelopment in 1999–2000. Retail competition also increased from centres in Nundah and around Brisbane Airport. By about 2006, commentary on the centre's future focused on its ageing building, declining competitiveness, vacancies, and management concerns. On 21 August 2008, Toombul was announced for sale. A major tenancy change occurred when David Jones announced in July 2010 that it would end its approximately 35-year relationship with the centre. The store closed on 29 January 2011, after which Target occupied the space. In November 2013, the property was renamed Toombul as part of the change from the Centro brand to the Federation Centres identity. Mirvac acquired the centre in May 2016. Its stated short-term priorities included improvements to parking and convenience, together with a retail mix better suited to changing local demographics. Longer-term possibilities included expanded dining and entertainment. In March 2016, before or around the acquisition period, plans were also announced for a small-format Bunnings store in the former BI-LO/Coles area, with an intended opening in the first half of 2017. The centre's final operating phase ended with the Brisbane floods of February 2022. Torrential rain over three consecutive days caused extensive inundation throughout southeast Queensland, and the Toombul precinct was closed. After an assessment in the following months, Mirvac concluded that the damage was too extensive for the building to reopen safely or for the centre to be restored in its previous form. In May 2022, retailers were informed that their leases would be terminated. The closure generated significant debate about whether the site should retain a substantial retail function. In August 2022, state MP Tim Nicholls met Mirvac senior management, after which the company indicated that the community would have an opportunity to provide input. By September, public reporting indicated that retail space would be rebuilt or included in a future scheme, together with public open space and flood-mitigation measures. Demolition of the former centre began in February 2024. The shopping centre is therefore defunct, while the site's long-term redevelopment remains separate from the historical Toombul retail operation.
- 2024
Demolition begins
[1]Demolition of the former shopping-centre complex begins in February.
- 2022
Flood damage ends operations
[1]The February Brisbane floods inundate the precinct; after assessment, the centre is not reopened and leases are terminated.
- 2016
Mirvac becomes owner
[1]Mirvac acquires the centre and announces plans to improve its retail and customer facilities.
- 2013
Centro name removed
[1]The centre is rebranded Toombul after Centro Properties Group becomes Federation Centres.
- 2011
Target replaces David Jones
[1]Following David Jones's closure, Target takes over the former department-store space.
- 2008
Property put up for sale
[1]Centro Toombul is announced for sale amid competitive and physical challenges.
- 1999
Chermside redevelopment increases competition
[1]The major redevelopment of Westfield Chermside during 1999–2000 changes the competitive environment for Brisbane's northern shopping centres.
- 1967
Centre opens
[1]Westfield Group opens Toombul Shopping Centre as an enclosed suburban retail centre on 11 October.
Products and positioning
A large suburban convenience, grocery, discount-department-store, specialty-retail, dining, and entertainment centre serving Brisbane's inner northern suburbs.
Grocery
Supermarket and grocery retail
Grocery shopping was a central part of Toombul's offer. The centre hosted Coles and later an Aldi Food Store, giving surrounding residents access to mainstream and discount supermarket formats. The centre's broader convenience role was intended to support frequent local visits in addition to department-store and specialty shopping.
Discount department stores
Department stores
The centre's department-store presence included David Jones, which operated for roughly 35 years before closing in January 2011, followed by Target in the former store space. Kmart was also identified as one of the centre's principal anchors. These stores provided apparel, household goods, general merchandise, and value-oriented shopping.
Cinema and entertainment
Event Cinemas
An eight-screen Event Cinema complex formed part of the centre's entertainment offer. Cinema provision, together with later dining and entertainment upgrades, was intended to broaden Toombul beyond convenience and comparison retail.
Specialty stores
Specialty retail
At its operating peak, Toombul contained more than 140 specialty stores. The mix included retailers such as Daiso and covered everyday goods, services, food, fashion, and household-related shopping. The breadth of the specialty offer supported the centre's role as a local multi-purpose destination.
Home improvement · 2016
Bunnings small-format store proposal
A small-format Bunnings store was announced for the former BI-LO/Coles location in 2016, with an intended opening in the first half of 2017. The proposal represented an effort to diversify the centre's offer, although the provided sources do not establish the store's final operating history.
Brand decisions
2022
Decision to close permanently after flood damageStrategyBackground
The February 2022 Brisbane floods severely inundated the precinct. Inspections found damage that affected the building's safety and made restoration to its previous condition impractical.
Action taken
Mirvac decided not to reopen the shopping centre and terminated retailer leases.
Aftermath
The former centre became defunct. Public discussion shifted toward a possible mixed future involving retail, open space, and flood mitigation, followed by demolition beginning in 2024.
2016
Mirvac acquires the centreM&ABackground
The centre faced ageing infrastructure, vacancies, and competition from other Brisbane northern-suburb destinations.
Action taken
Mirvac acquired Toombul and identified improvements to parking, convenience, retail mix, dining, and entertainment as potential priorities.
Aftermath
Mirvac became the owner responsible for the centre's subsequent operation and post-flood decisions.
2013
Rebrand from Centro Toombul to ToombulStrategyBackground
Centro Properties Group was rebranded as Federation Centres, creating a broader portfolio-level change in identity.
Action taken
The shopping centre adopted the shorter Toombul name in November 2013.
Aftermath
The Centro name was removed from the centre's public identity.
Sources1 sources
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