In November, the council approved a material change of use on a site in Morningside, from industrial to indoor sport and recreation, allowing a gym to operate alongside heavy industry including a nearby meatworks.

The meatworks, Australian Country Choice, appealed the decision, as did another party, and is understood to have also asked Deputy Premier and Planning Minister Steven Miles to use his powers to intervene.

While Miles declined to ‘call in’ the development application, he last week gazetted a requirement that the council provide him with every application of that nature for the next 12 months.

Council had only given a two-year approval for the gym. However, Miles, according to the direction, acted out of concern the decision would undermine Regional Economic Cluster through “encroachment by incompatible land uses”.

Australian Country Choice has since raised concerns over a brewery planned for the area, sparking a community debate over the type of economic activity needed during the pandemic-led downturn.

Miles, through a spokeswoman, said the Land and Environment Court, which would hear the appeals, was “an appropriate forum to consider many of the matters raised”.

“My department will continue to work with Brisbane City Council, including on the Brisbane Industrial Strategy Review, to encourage and maintain industrial development,” Miles said.

A council spokeswoman said it would comply with the direction.