Article: Tourism blueprint makes Brisbane a sight to see

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Tourism blueprint makes Brisbane a sight to see

Tourism blueprint makes Brisbane a sight to see
Article from: The Courier-Mail

By Alison Sandy

November 26, 2008 11:00pm

A MARINE discovery centre, cruise ship terminal and the expansion of Eagle Street Pier form the cornerstone of a new report aimed at revitalising tourism.
The Brisbane Regional Tourism Investment and Infrastructure Plan, to be tabled in State Parliament today, has named the 10 most promising projects.

Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said the Government would work with the private sector to push the projects.

"There is no doubt the Queensland tourism industry will recover from the current difficult economic circumstances," Ms Boyle said.

"So we need to plan now for the future and investigate the many tremendous opportunities to develop new product and investment.

"In the last 10 years, domestic visitors to Brisbane have increased by 22 per cent and international visitors have increased by 28 per cent, but competition for the tourist dollar is increasingly cut-throat."

The plan provides for Eagle St Pier to become the city's commercial ferry headquarters and an expanded pier facility at Hamilton North Shore as an alternative transport link to the airport.

"There needs to be a CBD CityCat terminal with a range of visitor services, operator desks, cafes etc north of Eagle Street Pier," the report said.

It indicated urgency over an integrated Moreton Bay terminal on Brisbane River and the relocation of the cruise-ship terminal near the river mouth.

"The cruise terminal needs to be relocated by 2018 downstream so that larger ships can be catered for and to address the height constraint of the Gateway Bridge," the report says.

Two 600-plus room hotels are proposed for Victoria Park at Herston and either Howard Smith Wharves at Petrie Bight, Kurilpa Point at South Brisbane or Newstead Park.

The report said Brisbane city held the greatest appeal to business and leisure visitors over the next 10 years.

It recommended "significantly expanding" the building height in the CBD and a light rail network to link tourism precincts.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said international visitors to Brisbane spent $1.35 billion in the city last year.

"The next stage is to move forward on a number of feasibility studies on all 10 catalyst projects from both a commercial and environmental point of view," Cr Newman said.

Top 10 Tourism Projects

1. An internationally significant national Indigenous centre for South Bank.

2. A Moreton Bay aquarium and marine discovery centre.

3. A 'Story of Brisbane' high-tech interpretation centre and a viewing platform of Greater Brisbane and the Scenic Rim at Mt Coot-tha.

4. Two new or redeveloped major piers for river boat and island services from Brisbane city centre.
5. A second shipping terminal up river to support existing facilities and address the needs of the new, larger cruise ships visiting Brisbane.

6. Two new international five to six star hotels to be built at Victoria Park and in the CBD. Potential sites include Howard Smith Wharves, Kurilpa Point or Newstead River Park.

7. Ipswich to extend its successful railway heritage theme to create a tourism precinct with a conference centre and accommodation facilities.

8. A major walk with associated hut and high quality lodge-style accommodation infrastructure in the Scenic Rim.

9. Development of a major Moreton Bay ferry terminus at or near the mouth of the Brisbane River for a faster link between the CBD and the Moreton Bay islands.

10. An eco-lodge on Moreton Island.