Smart City Vision Continues With Roma Street Plans

Brisbane’s Smart City revolution continued today with Premier Anna Bligh releasing plans to transform Roma Street into a thriving transport, residential and commercial hub.

Ms Bligh said the Government released its Smart Cities vision in July, following a report produced by the Smart State Council, Smart Cities: rethinking the city centre.

“The Smart City vision is about reclaiming Brisbane’s city centre for pedestrians,” Ms Bligh said.

“It is an exciting time in the city’s history with significant development creating a ‘new’ Brisbane – a truly metropolitan, cultural and vibrant city.

“I want to see Brisbane’s current and emerging creative, cultural and educational precincts connected and brought closer to the people of the city through pedestrian access,” she said.

Ms Bligh said the proposed Roma Street Redevelopment Project, released for public consultation today, would play an important role in connecting Brisbane’s inner north-west to the city centre.

“The proposed redevelopment is focused on facilitating better commuter, pedestrian and cyclist access to surrounding precincts,” she said.

“Under the plan, Roma Street Station will become Brisbane’s premier interchange and the rejuvenated city gateway for local and visiting bus and train travellers.

“The links it will create to so many of Brisbane’s great attractions - Suncorp Stadium, Kelvin Grove Urban Village, the future Cycle Centre, Roma Street Parkland, Queensland Place, GoMA and South Bank – will create a whole new way to explore this part of the city,” she said.

Ms Bligh said several parcels of land within the area had already been developed including the Roma Street Parklands, the Pradella residential development and the Magistrates Court complex at Queensland Place.

“The proposal released today will build on these initiatives and cement the Roma Street precinct’s role as a transport hub and as a destination of choice for business and residential living,” she said.

Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said major local and state government agencies had been consulted during the development of the Draft Strategic Plan and he looked forward to public comment on the proposal.

“The proposed redevelopment is an outstanding opportunity for the State and private sector to provide significant improvement to the city’s western gateway,” Mr Schwarten said.

“And it will be delivered at no net cost to the State – the tender for the development site will fund public infrastructure,” he said.

The Roma Street precinct is bound by Turbot Street, Upper Albert Street, Wickham Terrace, College Road, Countess Street, Roma Street and George Street.

Mr Schwarten urged Brisbane residents to have their say on the proposal, which will be available at www.publicworks.qld.gov.au tomorrow.

Plans will also be on display at the Roma Street Parklands and in the city by the end of the week.

An extended consultation period will be in place to allow for the Christmas/New Year break. Submissions close Friday, 1 February 2008.

To view the proposal visit: http://www.publicworks.qld.gov.au/showcase/roma_st_precinct.cfm

Media: 3224 4500 (Premier’s Office) or 3237 1184 (Minister Schwarten’s office)