Brisbane Live goes to market as precincts strategy is released

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has today announced the state government will start market sounding for a new Brisbane Live arena in the heart of the city.

Today’s announcement came as the Premier also announced public consultation will start on the Precincts Delivery Strategy to transform the city through the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail project.

“We know that by unlocking under-utilised land in the heart of the city like Roma Street, we can leverage significant private sector investment and create jobs,” the Premier said.

“Brisbane Live has the potential to deliver 450 jobs per year during construction, with 1000 jobs in the peak year and 600 ongoing jobs once operational.

“Everyone wants to see a new, world-class arena in the heart of Brisbane and through this strategy, the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority will now launch market sounding to attract the best concepts from the private sector.

“Roma Street is one of seven sites that was investigated as a potential location through the detailed business case development .

Ms Jones said the Cross River Rail Delivery Strategy would provide development opportunities at the five new high-capacity stations at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street, Roma Street, and Exhibition.

“The Delivery Strategy we’re announcing today will see up to 22 hectares of prime real estate in the heart of Brisbane revitalised,” she said.

“Expert analysis shows the Cross River Rail Precincts could help generate up to $20 billion worth of new economic development and around 35,000 new jobs.

“Brisbane Live, a new world class arena is a great example of the new assets Brisbane could gain through this precinct strategy. Globally we know these types of venues next to a new underground high-capacity train station with connections to other public transport modes re-invigorate the entire area.

“The new Cross River Rail stations will connect people, communities and businesses providing opportunities for a wave of economic growth, development and investment, boosting our economy and creating jobs,” Ms Jones said.

In addition to a significant revitalisation of the Roma Street area, Cross River Rail’s Precinct Development Strategy will also deliver a new Exhibition station at the RNA Showgrounds, providing year-round rail services for both the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and the growing RNA Showground Lifestyle precinct.

The strategy announced today includes different themes for each of the five precincts:

1. Exhibition station precinct will accelerate the area’s urban renewal creating a connected health, housing, and recreation hub. 

2. Roma Street station precinct will become the western gateway to the City’s premier cultural and entertainment offerings. 
   
   
3. Albert Street station precinct will be the stimulus for a city heart transformation 

4. Woolloongabba station precinct will become a vibrant centre for community, sport, and health 

5. Boggo Road station precinct will develop further into a world-class innovation precinct, specialising in research, health, science and education jobs of the future

ENDS  

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