WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Luxury apartments rise on site of one of Australia\u2019s most infamous cancer clusters<\/p>\n
Know the news with the 7NEWS app: Download today Arrow<\/a><\/p>\n The 224 apartments have sold out, with the final residence reportedly fetching $4.1 million ahead of the project\u2019s official opening on Thursday.<\/p>\n The site was home to Queensland<\/a>\u2019s main ABC radio and television operations for more than 50 years before it was abandoned in 2006 after a workplace health investigation.<\/p>\n Former ABC sports presenter Ian Eckersley, who worked at the site for 18 years and was among staff involved in a dramatic walkout that sparked the investigation, said it was important the history of the site was not forgotten.<\/p>\n \u201cI think it\u2019s important on days like this that people don\u2019t forget that this site was home to women and men from ABC Queensland, broadcasting from here for over 50 years,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The broadcaster<\/a>\u2019s Toowong headquarters became the focus of national attention after a growing number of female employees were diagnosed with breast cancer.<\/p>\n \u201cIt was two, then it was four, then suddenly it was creeping up into almost double figures,\u201d Eckersley recalled.
<\/p>\n \u201cAll young women, that was the other remarkable thing. So many under the age of 40.\u201d
<\/p>\n In June 2006, staff staged a walkout after the 12th woman was diagnosed with breast cancer, demanding answers and action from management.<\/p>\n The cluster ultimately affected more than 20 women, according to Eckersley, with several later dying from the disease.
<\/p>\n \u201cThere was a lot of fear, uncertainty, people grappling for answers,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n An expert investigation examined a wide range of possible causes, including soil, water and air quality as well as electromagnetic fields within the building, but failed to identify a definitive explanation.
<\/p>\n However, the inquiry did conclude the statistical likelihood of the cluster occurring by chance was about one in a million, a finding prompting ABC managing director Mark Scott to evacuate and abandon the site in December 2006.<\/p>\n Eckersley said the decision dramatically altered the broadcaster\u2019s Queensland operations.
<\/p>\n \u201cThe ABC Queensland was changed forever because it had to evacuate the site literally on a few hours\u2019 notice,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Twenty years on, the cause of the cancer cluster remains unknown.<\/p>\n Developer Consolidated Properties Group said extensive due diligence and testing had been undertaken before construction of the residential project.
<\/p>\n \u201cAbsolutely safe. That was the first thing we looked at when we did our due diligence on the site,\u201d executive chairman James MacGinley said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe read every report there was to read, did our own testing.<\/p>\n \u201cWe hope that Monarch Residences becomes a real centrepiece of the Toowong community.\u201d<\/p>\n The development of the two 15-storey towers mark the first major redevelopment of the site since the broadcaster\u2019s rushed departure.<\/p>\n The riverfront block covers about 1.5 hectares and includes the heritage-listed Middenbury House, which predates the broadcaster\u2019s occupation by almost a century.<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/d8fe362b92e1226a63f37514230ce415f867eb4e.jpg\")
The Coronation Drive headquarters became the focus of a major health investigation before being permanently vacated in 2006. Credit: 7NEWS![\"Former](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/a4f4815a83a373b8f7e0574d1800beccf0720759-16x9-x0y0w1920h1080.jpg\")
Former ABC sports presenter Ian Eckersley says the events surrounding the cancer cluster changed lives and should not be forgotten. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n![\"Workers](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/390a8209283154e897d0aa6dff7e3d2e3791eefa-16x9-x0y0w1920h1080.jpg\")
Workers including Ian Eckersley staged a dramatic walkout in 2006, demanding answers after a growing number of colleagues were diagnosed with breast cancer. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/ba5dc23713166bfbd1bdfed99b5a670fab756971-16x9-x0y0w1920h1080.jpg\")
The two 15-storey towers are the first major redevelopment of the site since its evacuation in 2006. Credit: 7NEWS![\"Developers](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/australia\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/c3a02289586867ec1c1283d04e01c46576845761-16x9-x0y0w1920h1080.jpg\")
Developers and guests celebrate the opening of Monarch Residences, the first major redevelopment of the former broadcasting site. Credit: 7NEWS<\/p>\n