Article: QR casts net to develop

[ozbob]

From the Courier Mail 27th February 2009 page 77

QR casts net to develop

QR casts net to develop

Michelle Hele PROPERTY EDITOR

QUEENSLAND Rail has launched a hunt for a developer to help it redevelop land it owns around the Bowen Hills railway station in Brisbane.

The organisation has called for proposals from developers and investors to help it to win a bid to provide a 20,000sq m building for the Department of Public Works.

QR was shortlisted by the Department of Public Works late last year as one of the preferred developers to provide the space. QR is now looking for a developer or investor to help with the project, which it would build on QR's significant freehold property in Bowen Hills if it wins the bid.

Bowen Hills railway station is one of only four stations through which all southeast Queensland passenger services travel. QR owns a number of minor buildings and land surrounding the station and railyards, the largest of which is a 10,710sq m staff car park and train crew facility complex.

Other holdings including substantial vacant land which is currently leased for car parking. In its documentation sent to interested parties, QR says it has a team working on developing a site masterplan for Bowen Hills.

Executive general manager Queensland Rail Passenger Paul Scurrah said even if the QR joint venture was not selected by the Department of Public Works, they would work with their partner to develop land near the station.

He said none of the rail maintenance yards area would be affected by either possible development. While it is not certain where the 20,000sq m building would sit, Mr Scurrah said it would probably be near the Hudd St end of its holdings. "The exact location of the site is currently being finalised because we are in discussions with the Urban Land Development Authority," he said.

The ULDA has been tasked with helping push ahead development at Bowen Hills. Mr Scurrah said Bowen Hills was well placed to handle transitoriented development. He said there were future plans for major works at the railway station.

"I think that whole concept of the decentralisation and transit-oriented development, they do have great potential to turn Brisbane into a fantastic metropolis," he said. QR's contribution to the development would be the freehold land.

[Derwan]

I'm guessing this is the piece of land they're talking about.

[O_128]

About time every city station except fortitude valley is absolutely disgusting.

[dwb]

I wonder about the remit that QR have as a QOC to develop land for non-rail related purposes.

TTA has recently had changes to their act to allow them to develop and sell property for transit adjacent uses (which could presumably include residential or office development), however traditionally this has not been allowed.

[ButFli]

About time every city station except fortitude valley is absolutely disgusting.

How can you say this? Roma St is excellent and so is Milton!

[O_128]

Milton is ok and will be nicer once development takes place.Roma street is nice in its own way though is starting to show its age as is the transit center though a facelift is planned for te center.South Brisbane's paint is peeling everywhere and south bank is just old. Central will be much nicer though with some CGI i ahve seen of it which will include covering the northen end of the paltforms