Government set to revive tired CBD precinct

Published Wednesday, 22 May, 2013 at 03:52 PM

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney

Queenslanders will be invited to put forward their vision for a tired and under-utilised area of Brisbane’s CBD, as the Newman Government takes the first steps to breathe new life into the government precinct.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said the government would commence an extensive consultation process to define the redevelopment of the broader government precinct.

“We have an opportunity for a new, unique and vibrant precinct at Brisbane’s heart with diverse architecture and activities, new and renewed public spaces and greater access to and use of the heritage buildings, which date from our city’s beginnings,” Mr Seeney said.

“Revitalising this precinct has the potential to strengthen two of the four economic pillars by creating construction, retail and tourism jobs and provide a much-needed boost for Queensland’s economy.

“There has been enormous interest in the government precinct and, with construction of 1 William Street underway, the time has come to get this project off the ground.

“In this early stage of defining the project and before we take any decisions at all, we are going to engage with the community, Brisbane City Council and the property and development industry to determine their visions for the precinct.”

Mr Seeney said consultation will take place from now until September before the government called Expressions of Interest for the private sector to put forward their proposals for the precinct.

“We realise wide consultation will be needed,” he said.

“Despite speculation, no decisions have been made about the redevelopment outcomes and we look forward to working with the community, council and industry to help revive this tired part of the Brisbane CBD.

“Council is currently developing its new City Centre Master Plan and we will work with it to ensure the precinct’s redevelopment is in line with this plan.

“We’ve also had initial discussions with peak property and development bodies, including the Property Council of Australia, Brisbane Development Association and the National Heritage Trust to canvas their views.”

Mr Seeney said, following consultation, expert advice would be sought from the independent Precinct Advisory Committee members Renaye Peters with Andrew King and Bevan Lynch, who brought a wealth of knowledge of the property, development, planning and design sectors.

“After this, the government expects to consider a broad range of redevelopment options that deliver the highest overall benefit and value to the state and the community,” he said.

“Renewal of the precinct will revive the area and reconnect this part of Brisbane to the central business district and the river.

“It’s this generation’s chance to leave a lasting legacy.”

Mr Seeney said land use would be a central consideration in the redevelopment, including which sites would be involved, what form of tenure there should be over the sites, what uses the land would be put to and appropriate use of the heritage buildings that would be preserved.

[ENDS] 22 May 2013

Media contact:
Kate Haddan 0418 373 516