NEW PUBLIC OPEN SPACE AT SOUTH BANK

Visitors to South Bank will be able to enjoy a new green public space after a major makeover of the Boardwalk site at the southern end of the Parklands.

Acting Premier Paul Lucas today announced six buildings will be demolished to create a new riverfront area to be used by people of Brisbane.

“I’m very excited to see around 70 metres of prime riverfront being given back to the people of Brisbane to enjoy as a landscaped lawn area,” said Mr Lucas.

“The redevelopment will also feature a waterfront café and restaurant dining precinct, a children’s playground and improved pathways for pedestrians and cyclists connecting the Goodwill Bridge and Clem Jones Promenade.

“This is a down payment on South Bank Corporation’s commitment that relocating the ABC to the Parklands will not result in a loss of public open space.

“It’s a great deal for the people of Brisbane, they’re getting a prime riverfront area where they can watch the fireworks and have a picnic.

“The ABC will have a well deserved place in Brisbane’s cultural and arts hub, on an underutilized site of which less than half is actual “green space” and which is dominated by parking lots and roads.

“South Bank will remain true to its name as a Parkland for generations of South East Queenslanders to come.

“Having such wonderful green space in the heart of Brisbane helps make it a great place to live and visit.

“Just 7% of the Parklands precinct is occupied with commercial buildings, the vast majority is set aside as a place for us all to exercise, relax and enjoy with the family.

“The Boardwalk redevelopment will be delivered at no cost to the tax payers, with South Bank Corporation responsible for the funding.

“People could be enjoying this prime riverfront space as early as next year.”

Details of the proposed amendment to the Corporation’s Approved Development Plan (ADP) relating to the ABC’s relocation are available for public inspection and comment at South Bank’s Visitor Information Centre for the next 14 days.

South Bank Corporation CEO Malcolm Snow said that the new look Boardwalk will provide a stunning new public space for locals and visitors alike to unwind and benefit from time with their friends and families.

“South Bank Corporation has worked hard throughout its history to maintain a good proportion of public open space, while remaining a successful commercial entity,” Mr Snow said.

The Corporation has, in the past decade, overseen the creation of additional public open space for the people of Brisbane.

Past initiatives have included the removal of open lot car parks, the demolition of inappropriate buildings including Gondwana Land, the creation of 2.5 hectares of new landscaped parkland along Little Stanley Street, planting 1,500 new trees over the past decade and the creation of new connections with West End.

“With the booming Brisbane population, it is important to retain high quality open spaces and places for the public to come together, relax and enjoy.

“We recognise that public open space is important to our visitors and we will continue to focus on listening to their needs and delivering a world class urban precinct.

The Corporation has appointed Queensland architectural practice Arkhefield, together with landscape architects Cardno SPLAT to design the new Boardwalk project.

Mr Snow said that the project will involve the demolition of the existing buildings which have been on the Boardwalk site since Expo ‘88, which are now very expensive to maintain and below the architectural design standard of the rest of the precinct.

“Regrettably, these buildings will have to go. They were originally intended to last for the six month duration of Expo and they are now costing the Corporation a significant amount of money to maintain.

“We are very fortunate they have survived for 20 years but the time has come to make the decision and ensure that we are delivering sustainable design with minimal contributions from tax payers.

Jeff Topping, Chairman of Save Our South Bank commented that the group is supportive of the boardwalk site being used for casual riverside recreation.

"We are delighted to have reached an in principle agreement with South Bank Corporation. Families who use South Bank will benefit from the proposal" said Mr Topping.

"They have listened and acted upon the wishes of local residents and the people of Brisbane, and we now look forward to working further with the Corporation to ensure this essential riverside space becomes a popular and much enjoyed area of the Parklands."

Media contacts:

Acting Premier’s Office 3224 4600

South Bank Corporation; Susie Johnson, 3867 2010 /0403 246 059