But both the local federal MP and the Brisbane City Council have insisted the sale should open up the reach of the Brisbane River to the public, through the introduction of new parkland.

Parliamentary Secretary for Defence Darren Chester confirmed the ADF would sell most of its 23-hectare Bulimba site, retaining some land for navy personnel, reserves and cadets.

The majority of ADF personnel at the Joint Logistics Unit at the site had relocated, or would relocate, to RAAF Amberley near Ipswich.

"Surplus Defence property is generally sold on the open market, however, direct sales to local and state government are allowed in some circumstances," Mr Chester said.

"Once the property is sold, it will be a matter for the new owner and local and state planning authorities to determine the future uses for the property."

Griffith Labor MP Terri Butler said public access to the river was a must, no matter how much money the sale could bring to the ADF's coffers.

Ms Butler said the departure of the Joint Logistics Unit left about 21 hectares of "prime real estate in the middle of Bulimba", which was north-facing and had river frontage.

"If you walk along the river frontage at Teneriffe and Newstead, you see how important it is that you have public access to the riverfront," she said.

"The riverfront shouldn't be something only the very rich have access to. It should be something for the whole community to use."

It was a sentiment shared by the Liberal National Party administration in City Hall.

Brisbane City Council neighbourhood planning chairwoman Amanda Cooper said the council would enforce strict conditions on any development on the barracks site.

"Council's priority is to ensure that the heritage and character of the site remains protected and is preserved as a reflection of the barracks' history," Cr Cooper said.

"Under the neighbourhood plan, council requires any redevelopment of the site to provide public parkland and full community access to the river's edge.

"Proposals would need to carefully consider the location, nearby infrastructure and be consistent with the character of the surrounding streets."

Ms Butler said, whatever the eventual outcome, it was vital that surrounding infrastructure was able to cope with the influx of new residents.

That included roads, a park-and-ride at the Apollo Road ferry terminal and school facilities for the new families that would move into the area.

"If we screw this up, it's going to have terrible outcomes for the community for a long time," she said.

Mr Chester said it could be "some time" before the property was actually sold.

"Defence still needs to complete its due diligence before selling the site, including environmental site assessments, which have recently commenced," he said.