Published Monday, 23 April, 2007 at 11:28 AM
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
PUBLIC SUPPORTS NORTH BANK DEVELOPMENT: BLIGH
The State Government will start negotiations with Mutliplex on North Bank after consultation on the project confirmed public support for development of the precinct, Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure, Anna Bligh announced today.
“Based on public feedback, we will be entering into negotiations with the preferred developer for the North Bank project, Multiplex Developments, in regard to its proposal for the redevelopment of the riverfront precinct,” said the Deputy Premier.
“The proposal put forward by Mutliplex was for a more intense development than envisaged when Government last consulted with the public on the project,” she said.
“Higher intensity development is being considered because the Government wants to deliver this project at no net cost to the people of Queensland.”
“Due to this change it was important for Government to test public opinion on the project,” said Ms Bligh
“We undertook a four-week public consultation process which included a display of the concept in the Executive Building Foyer on George Street, Brisbane, a website and freecall contact phone service”
“Out of this consultation process, the public again made it very clear that it wants to see something done with this dangerous and neglected part of the CBD. 80% of respondents to the Government’s and media’s feedback lines were in favour of developing the precinct,” she said.
“The process however did highlight a number of concerns about the project and 57% of respondents do not support the project proceeding its current form.”
“The major areas of concern are river impacts, height of buildings, cultural heritage and visual amenity.”
Ms Bligh said the Government was taking on board the concerns and would be working with Multiplex to revise the project to make it more acceptable to the public.
“There are a number of improvements that could be made to the project to address the public’s concerns. However, to deliver the project at no cost to the Government there will still need to be substantial development on the site.”
Ms Bligh said the Government would be asking Multiplex to review its proposal in light of the public comments and come back with revised design for Government’s review.
Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 4379
“Based on public feedback, we will be entering into negotiations with the preferred developer for the North Bank project, Multiplex Developments, in regard to its proposal for the redevelopment of the riverfront precinct,” said the Deputy Premier.
“The proposal put forward by Mutliplex was for a more intense development than envisaged when Government last consulted with the public on the project,” she said.
“Higher intensity development is being considered because the Government wants to deliver this project at no net cost to the people of Queensland.”
“Due to this change it was important for Government to test public opinion on the project,” said Ms Bligh
“We undertook a four-week public consultation process which included a display of the concept in the Executive Building Foyer on George Street, Brisbane, a website and freecall contact phone service”
“Out of this consultation process, the public again made it very clear that it wants to see something done with this dangerous and neglected part of the CBD. 80% of respondents to the Government’s and media’s feedback lines were in favour of developing the precinct,” she said.
“The process however did highlight a number of concerns about the project and 57% of respondents do not support the project proceeding its current form.”
“The major areas of concern are river impacts, height of buildings, cultural heritage and visual amenity.”
Ms Bligh said the Government was taking on board the concerns and would be working with Multiplex to revise the project to make it more acceptable to the public.
“There are a number of improvements that could be made to the project to address the public’s concerns. However, to deliver the project at no cost to the Government there will still need to be substantial development on the site.”
Ms Bligh said the Government would be asking Multiplex to review its proposal in light of the public comments and come back with revised design for Government’s review.
Media contact: Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 4379