Station revamp gives Fortitude Valley new lease on life

Brisbane’s vibrant Fortitude Valley has a new gateway following a $32.1 million makeover of the music and cultural precinct’s railway station.

Minister for Transport John Mickel and Member for Brisbane Central Grace Grace today launched the newly-redeveloped and renamed Fortitude Valley Station, describing it as the ‘jewel in the crown’ of the urban rail network’s 143 stations.

“This major revamp is not simply a ‘lick of paint’ – we’ve invested in new lifts, escalators and stairways to significantly improve safety and access for all passengers,” Mr Mickel said.

“The station also has an impressive, modern design and features an array of innovative artworks that pay homage to Brisbane and Fortitude Valley’s rich and diverse music history.

“The station is one of the busiest on South East Queensland’s urban rail network, with more than 2.5 million passengers travelling through per year.

“This upgrade project has been delivered almost $1 million below the $33 million budget and two months early.

“Thanks to the upgrade, Fortitude Valley station is now an iconic landmark locals can be proud of and a grand gateway to the restaurant, night club and artistic hub.”

Mr Mickel said new-look platforms 1 and 2 and the upgraded concourse level would open for business tomorrow, marking the completion of the second and final stage of the upgrade, funded by the TransLink Transit Authority and delivered by QR and Bovis Lend Lease.

“Features of the station include a lift, escalator and stairway to each platform from the concourse, enhanced CCTV coverage, brighter lighting and improved information signage.”

“The opening of platforms 1 and 2 enables all train services, including the Airtrain, moving through the station to return to normal and comes after the March 31 opening of platforms 3 and 4, which were upgraded under the first stage of the project.”

Mr Mickel said passengers could absorb some of Brisbane’s music history as they waited for their train thanks to artworks throughout the station.

“On the concourse, animated artwork featuring soundwaves and lyrics from songs by Brisbane bands, will be projected onto a glass space almost 13 metres wide and four metres tall within a few weeks,” he said.

“Lyrics from songs such as Powderfinger’s smash-hit Passenger will be projected for all commuters to see.

“Large, abstract works by Brisbane-based artist Jennifer Marchant adorn each of the four platforms, featuring soundwave patterns and quotes from author Andrew Stafford’s book Pig City, which maps the rise of a host of home-grown bands from The Saints to Savage Garden.

“Some of the quotes refer to bands specifically, including Savage Garden, Powderfinger, The Saints, Regurgitator, Custard, The Go-Betweens and Screamfeeder.

“Also, I congratulate Dan Hancock, Dale Napier and Belinda Johnstone – the three winners of the Emerging Artists Competition, a recent competition for Brisbane-based emerging artists.

“These local artists now have their work showcased opposite platform 1 on 3m x 6m billboards.”

Ms Grace said ‘people power’ had been behind the renaming of the station – formerly known as Brunswick Street.

“The idea initially came from the community as local businesses and residents had championed for a name change for some time, believing the name ‘Brunswick Street’ station didn’t represent the overall local community and was confusing for visitors,” Ms Grace said.

"We listened to the local community's initial suggestion and then asked for feedback from the wider community, and they agreed.

“The re-naming of the station, which coincides with the completion of the revamp, boosts its identity as a gateway to the Fortitude Valley precinct.”

Mr Mickel thanked commuters, local residents and businesses for their patience during the upgrade works, which began in June 2007 and occurred around the station’s continuing operations.

“It’s hard to remember what the station used to look like with its tired, old ramps – the redevelopment brings it up to speed with its surroundings and gives the Valley a new lease of life,” he said.

For more information about public transport, please visit www.translink.com.au or call 13 12 30, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 0419 757 868