PUBLIC COMMENT ON “UDA” PLANS

The Bligh Government has announced an innovative plan to fund up to $255 million worth of infrastructure, affordable housing and sustainable development within 6 kilometres of Brisbane’s CBD is now open to public comment.

Deputy Premier Paul Lucas said the Urban Land Development Authority will today release its first Development Schemes, which outline plans for developers to help transform the Bowen Hills and Northshore Hamilton Urban Development Areas (UDAs).

“This is about making sure the significant profits to be made here are shared between developers and the community,” said Mr Lucas.

“This is an innovative plan by the Urban Land Development Authority, to have people in 20 years time saying Northshore Hamilton and Bowen Hills are a wonderful place to live, work and play.

“These draft schemes make possible an increased level and density of development in these areas so the potential profit for land owners has skyrocketed compared to the old planning schemes, without them having done any work on their land.

“For example at Hudd Street in Bowen Hills the maximum building height will jump from 6 to 30 storeys so the land value will also go up by the stroke of a pen, without the owner doing anything.

“Before any construction can start, developers will have to contribute their fair share of this “windfall gain” to infrastructure, affordable housing and sustainable development initiatives that will benefit everyone in these communities.

“Projects to be funded will include numerous parks, boulevards, bike and walking paths, as well as an Environmental Wetlands and Educational Centre at Northshore Hamilton.”

The draft Development Schemes specify developers must share 50 percent of their windfall gain in land value, which is expected to raise contributions approaching $75m at Bowen Hills and $180m for Northshore Hamilton.

“I want to make it clear, this only relates to windfall gains on land value alone, not any value or profits from the development or sale of buildings to be constructed there,” said Mr Lucas

“Those choosing not to take advantage of the increased development potential will not be required to make the development contribution tied to increased land value.

“However they will need to provide a minimum of 5 percent of affordable homes within any residential developments.

“These Development Schemes ultimately require my approval and I’m interested to hear what the community and development industry think.”

The ULDA will also undertake a series of catalyst infrastructure projects over the first 5 years including:

Northshore Hamilton

• starting a continuous pedestrian link stretching along the Brisbane River
• a new entry road off Kingsford Smith Drive through Hamilton Harbour
• parkland works at waterfront site and Remora Road

Bowen Hills

• An upgrade of the Bowen Hills railway station to improve physical access and visibility
• improving the public amenity on Abbotsford Road through street landscaping and planting.
• Revitalisation of Hudd Street as an vibrant urban centre

ULDA CEO Paul Eagles said no extra funding would be required outside the normal budget provisions of the State Government or Brisbane City Council.

“Over the next 30 years, Northshore Hamilton will be transformed into a thriving riverfront precinct with the first developments expected to be underway within the year,” Mr Eagles said.

Northshore Hamilton features:

• Homes for 15,500 people, from affordable housing to luxuary riverfront homes
• 24,000 jobs in local employment hubs to reduce the impact on the road network
• a rapid bus transit corridor through the heart of the precinct along MacArthur Avenue
• 4 key traffic connections to Kingsford Smith Drive
• CityCat terminals
• the preservation of heavy rail corridor linking with the Doomben line

“Similarly, Bowen Hills will become a thriving inner-city community around a retail and dining hub, centred on a major rail and bus interchange,” said Mr Eagles

“Landmark sites like the RNA ‘Ekka’ Showgrounds, the Old Queensland Museum, Perry Park and the Bowen Hills Railway Station will be retained and improved.”

Bowen Hills features:

• Homes for 10,000 people, with pockets of low to medium residential areas
• 23,000 local jobs
• signature high-rise commercial and residential buildings around the transport hub
• local employment areas linking up with the existing community on Montpelier Hill.

The submission period for the Development Schemes will run from 20 October 2008 to 2 December 2008.

The proposed Development Schemes can be viewed on the ULDA website, www.ulda.qld.gov.au or at 56 Abbotsford Road between 9.30am and 4.30pm Monday to Friday.

Two community information days are also being held to give the community the chance to view the Development Schemes and speak with officers from the ULDA.

The final Development Scheme, against which Development Applications will be assessed, will be finalised by the end of March next year.

Media inquiries: Matt Klar 0437 435 223