Historic CBD site to be revitalised

An historic building in Brisbane’s CBD is set to receive a much needed rejuvenation with the announcement today that an Expressions of Interest process will be launched for redevelopment of the Brisbane Dental School and Brisbane Dental Hospital sites.

Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning Jeff Seeney said redevelopment of the sites at 168 and 200 Turbot Street Brisbane would revitalise a tired and under-utilised part of central Brisbane.

“Today’s announcement presents a rare opportunity for a company to acquire an almost 9000 square metre site centrally located in the heart of the CBD to create a fresh, new precinct more accessible to the general public,” Mr Seeney said.

“While Labor had already committed to selling these sites in 2009, we believe our process will achieve a better result for the owners of this land – the people of Queensland.

“Our government is determined to make the best use of state land right across Queensland, whether that be by offering it to community groups for charitable purposes or to private parties who have the financial capacity to transform these sites.

“There is potential for this Turbot St development to add to the work we are already doing to enhance the Queens Wharf Precinct and Southbank for the benefit of locals and visitors to Queensland’s capital.”

Mr Seeney reassured clients of the existing Dental Hospital that there will be no impact on the services they currently access.

“I want to stress that no services will be lost through this process, and the community will continue to benefit from the Dental Hospital in this location,” he said.

“The Dental Hospital will continue to operate on the site under an occupancy agreement with the successful developer until an alternative location for the hospital is found.

“The Dental Hospital Building at 168 Turbot Street is currently heritage listed and will be preserved through strict heritage protections.

“The Dental School, who currently lease 200 Turbot Street from the government, is well on track to relocating to its new state-of-the-art site at Herston at the end of year.

“Our government is determined to get the best value from its surplus land holdings for the benefit of all Queenslanders.

“We expect this Expressions of Interest process to create a vibrant, new city destination and taking this to the open market will achieve that.”

Property advisors Savills has been appointed to market the sites through an EOI process which will see both sites offered for sale together.

[ENDS] 23 September 2014

Media Contact: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754 or Elizabeth Spry 0418 928 744