State Government seeks detailed Herston Quarter proposals

The Palaszczuk Government has launched the final stage of a competitive bid process to deliver a world-class health and commercial precinct adjoining the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH) at Herston.

Acting Premier Curtis Pitt today invited shortlisted proponents to submit their detailed proposals to develop an innovative master planned health, residential and retail precinct known as the Herston Quarter.

Mr Pitt said the relocation of children’s health services from the Royal Children’s Hospital presented a unique opportunity to develop the site and generate long-term health and employment opportunities for Queenslanders.

“The Palaszczuk Government is partnering with the private sector to create jobs and deliver a leading health and knowledge precinct, generating long term economic and investment benefits for the state,” he said.

“The Herston Quarter is a prime example of this and we’re delighted to be working with the shortlisted proponents to progress this exciting development opportunity.”

Mr Pitt said shortlisted proponents would be asked to submit proposals that capitalise on the site’s prime inner-city location and complement the adjacent world-class health and knowledge institutions.

“The Government is engaging in a competitive bid process with proponents in close consultation with key health stakeholders, including Metro North Hospital and Health Service, to ensure future strategic health needs are considered,” he said.

“That could include elements such as biomedical research, a mix of private hospital facilities, professional suites and supporting retail and residential space for doctors, nurses, family and friends visiting patients at the nearby RBWH.”

The shortlisted proponents for this unique opportunity are Frasers Property (Formerly known as Australand) with Australian Unity and Lend Lease with Trinity Health. Stockland has withdrawn from the RFP process.

Health Minister Cameron Dick said the State Government was committed to ensuring the health needs of community were met and the Herston Quarter project supports public health, research and educational objectives of the wider Herston Health Precinct.

“This site’s proximity to the CBD and the established Herston Health Precinct provides enormous potential to complement and enhance the adjacent public health, research and educational facilities,” Mr Dick said.

“This redevelopment will support the Palaszczuk Government’s Advance Queensland program through the inclusion of research, education, biomedical and innovation-related uses to create the knowledge-based jobs of the future.”

Member for Brisbane Central Grace Grace said the Herston site represented an outstanding opportunity to deliver a master planned health-related development, with residential and retail elements to complement and enhance Brisbane’s inner north.

“This Government is working to ensure that the views of people in the area are taken into account,” she said.

“This development will provide long term community benefits through access to new public spaces, and retail and commercial offerings, and I want to ensure community standards and expectations are considered.”

Shortlisted proponents will have until 12pm on Monday, 14 March 2016 to submit detailed proposals for the Herston Quarter redevelopment to the State Government for evaluation.

The successful proponent expected to be announced in mid-2016.

For more information, visit www.qld.gov.au/herstonquarter

Media contacts: Treasurer’s Office: Martin Philip: 0427 919 548

                       Health Minister’s Office: Andrew Fraser 0428 690 679

                       Member for Brisbane Central’s Office: 3832 1322