BEATTIE'S SMART STATE VISION FOR AUSTRALIA’S KNOWLEDGE CITY

Premier Peter Beattie today unveiled his vision to turn the Smart State capital into Australia’s Knowledge City, with a network of precincts linked by a series of pedestrian bridges, making Brisbane one of the most pedestrian-friendly cities in the world.

The vision centres on linking South Bank and the CBD with Kelvin Grove and Bulimba through four cross-river pedestrian bridges, inner-city pedestrian links and a light rail network that would stretch from South Brisbane to New Farm and possibly Bowen Hills.

Mr Beattie said a new report - Smart Cities: rethinking the city centre - produced by the Smart State Council highlighted the need for the current fragmented approach to planning the future shape of the CBD and the inner-city to end.

“Great cities don’t have dead ends. My vision is to establish a Knowledge Corridor that will bring Brisbane’s world-class learning and cultural facilities closer to the people of the city,” Mr Beattie said.

“The Smart State Council, which I established to provide high level external advice to Government on Smart State issues and trends, has produced a detailed report on how we can enhance the State’s capital and connect the lifestyle hubs of the city.

“The central part of the strategy is a series of three pedestrian ‘spines’ that will link areas of high-density residential development and the major workplace centres with educational, cultural, shopping, lifestyle and entertainment facilities,” he said.

Deputy Premier Anna Bligh said a new pedestrian bridge would be built between the burgeoning Bulimba and New Farm precincts. Another would link Kangaroo Point and New Farm, complementing plans for the Tank St Bridge and the proposed link between the CBD and Kangaroo Point.

“These spines will make recreation a central part of city life by linking Brisbane’s three major parks, the Botanic Gardens, New Farm Park and Roma St Parkland with an open space network through the city centre,” Ms Bligh said.

“It will also link some of the city’s most popular shopping and dining precincts, including Oxford Street, James Street and Fortitude Valley, the city, South Bank, West End and Paddington.

“Together with existing facilities such as South Bank and the New Farm Riverwalk, this plan will transform Brisbane into one of the world’s great walking and cycling cities and reflect our sub-tropical, health-orientated lifestyle.”

The Government will spend $3.5 million over three years drawing up a Smart City Master Plan, which will better coordinate around 30 separate city planning projects by delivering a single, integrated plan for the state’s capital.

The Government will also establish a high-level body of planning, architectural and urban design experts to advise on the design of major infrastructure recommended by the master plan, which the Government plans to implement over the next 10-15 years.

“The development of the Master Plan will be done in consultation with the Brisbane City Council and we will continue to actively consult the community on our vision for the Knowledge City,” she said.

Mr Beattie urged Brisbane residents to provide feedback on the Smart City vision.

“The Deputy Premier and I will take this proposal back to Cabinet at the end of August and I urge people to have their say on the concept.

“The Knowledge City will be a fitting capital for our Smart State,” he said.

To access an electronic copy of the Smart Cities: rethinking the city centre report, or to provide feedback visit www.smartstate.qld.gov.au
 
Hard copies of the report are available by calling 1800 021 818.

Community submissions will close Monday, 13 August 2007.

ENDS

Media Inquiries:
Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Deputy Premier’s Office 3224 4379