Ministerial Statement: Urban renewal for inner Brisbane

[ozbob]

Minister for Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe
03/07/2009

Urban renewal for inner Brisbane

The vision for two key Brisbane locations have been released which will see the areas transformed from underutilised urban infill sites into world class precincts.

The Queensland Government has approved the Northshore Hamilton and Bowen Hills Urban Development Area Development Schemes which will inform how these two areas will develop over the next 20 to 30 years.

Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Stirling Hinchliffe said the development schemes provide a long term vision for the UDAs as well as a blueprint for how these visions can be achieved.

"These two sites are part of the State's ongoing delivery of the Government's Housing Affordability Strategy.

"The Bowen Hills Development Scheme shows how the area can be changed from an unattractive, underutilised area into a vibrant, inner urban locality.

"It will accommodate a wide range of uses including high rise commercial, retail and residential development centred on an upgraded Bowen Hills Railway Station, comprising a variety of housing options, including affordable housing, as well as a network of pedestrian and bicycle paths.

"A significant aspect to the future of the Bowen Hills UDA is the redevelopment of the RNA site which will open up the area the whole year round and includes residential and retail development as well as improved facilities for the EKKA.

"The redevelopment is expected to create 2000 jobs a year and the ULDA is continuing to work with the RNA on this major project," Mr Hinchliffe said.

"The UDA will utilise existing and future transport facilities, such as rapid bus transit corridor, and will include a network of paths and parks to provide continuous public access to this part of the waterfront," ULDA CEO Paul Eagles said.

"There will be more residential, retail and commercial development, providing a vibrant urban community and greater employment opportunities in the area.

"Already we are seeing exciting developments within this UDA with the ULDA approving a number of residential developments, including the Devine/Leighton new Hamilton Harbour development that will create 450 direct jobs.

"As well, Multiplex has been given the go head to expand its 'Portside' development and a new residential development adjacent to the Royal Queensland Golf Course has also been approved."

The Bowen Hills and Northshore Hamilton Development Schemes outline what sort of development is permissible within the UDAs and include an infrastructure plan which details essential infrastructure required in the UDAs, and an implementation strategy.

Mr Eagles said that a significant factor in preparing these development schemes was the community consultation.

"Community involvement has been an important part of the process in producing these development schemes. It was essential that we get an outcome that not only incorporates good planning principles but also receives broad support of the local community.

"The community engagement program has included local newsletters, community information days and regular updates about the progress of the schemes.

"The input from the community has been considerable and has assisted us to create the best planning outcomes possible for the UDAs."

The development schemes replace the Interim Land Use Plans as the document against which development applications within the UDAs are assessed.

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[SteelPan]

I recon I've read this news release on an annual basis, for about 10 years now!

[brad C]

Without  a serious attempt to integrate the portside development with public transport, this will only exacerbate traffic snarls that are experiencied all day along Kingsford Smith Drive.
Existing BCC buses to the city beyond Racecourse Road are as scarce as hens' teeth and I can't see residents enthused about the pilgrimage to Eagle Junction via the rail bus.
Whilst it would not be feasible to electrify the old cold stores branch, and re-open the trecherous level crossing of K-S Drive in that location, there needs to be recognition of the adjacent Doomben station and cycle/pedestrian linkages to this facility from the new development.

On another note, whistle boards (W) have been installed adjacent to Toombul station in both the up and down directions, some only metres away from new unit buildings.
How sad that this practice seems so conflicting with the push to instil new residentail development (and associated amenity) adjacent to major transport nodes!!! My sympathies to these residents as I had a similar experience which forced me to sell my home after 20 years of successful co-habitation with QR.