Article: Giant heads south for new headquarters

[dwb]

Giant heads south for new headquarters
Marissa Calligeros
November 29, 2011 - 9:32AM

An artist's impression of the Suncorp South Bank headquarters. Photo: Supplied
Queensland banking and insurance giant Suncorp has announced it will move 3000 staff into a new $570 million development at Brisbane's South Bank.

Suncorp revealed it has decided to move employees from 10 premises across the CBD into new headquarters in the yet-to-be-constructed Southpoint precinct, by local developer Anthony John Group, on the corner of Grey and Vulture streets.

The company will occupy 33,600 square metres in a $350 million office tower to be built by Brookfield Multiplex by early 2014, as part of the first stage of the mixed-used development.

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An artist's impression of the Suncorp South Bank headquarters. Photo: Supplied
Competition has been fierce among local and interstate developers vying for Suncorp's tenancy since the company announced in March it was shopping for more than 30,000 square metres of new A-grade office space.

Suncorp made its final decision between the Anthony John Group's proposal and the Grollo family's planned Grocon development on the site of the failed Trilogy Tower at 401 Adelaide Street.

"After an exhaustive selection process, the site at South Brisbane best met our needs across all of the criteria we considered," a Suncorp spokesman said.


An artist's impression of the Suncorp South Bank headquarters. Photo: Supplied
"We've reached the next significant milestone – selecting a preferred site and developer – in the process of finalising our new Brisbane campus headquarters.

"There are significant employee, shareholder and customer benefits available by having our Brisbane employees working in close proximity to each other instead of being located in different locations all over the city."

Suncorp will take up a 15-year lease in the 18-storey Southpoint building, as well as retaining its Brisbane Square office on the opposite bank of the river.

A 20-storey building comprising of 179 residential apartments and 178 room five-star boutique Emporium hotel will mark the second stage of the Southpoint development

Premier Anna Bligh welcomed today Suncorp's move as "the latest vote of confidence in Queensland".

"My understanding is this will be one of the most significant non-CBD developments in Brisbane's history,"Ms Bligh said.

"Suncorp have also said that they have a vision for new rail and bus infrastructure for South Bank and South Brisbane in collaboration with the developer.

"Of course that is certainly something my government is interested in speaking with them about."

It is estimated the development will create about 1100 full time jobs over the life of the project.



Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/giant-heads-south-for-new-headquarters-20111129-1o41b.html#ixzz1f3KCpLZ2

[Golliwog]

I'm interested to see what the new bus/rail infrastructure they mention is.

[SurfRail]

I'm interested to see what the new bus/rail infrastructure they mention is.

Southpoint is going to be adjacent to and on top of South Bank rail station, which will require upgrades to the rail station and presumably better connectivity with the busway station.  (Kind of like Toowong, except with any luck a bit less of a dank, pastel nightmare.)

[dwb]

I'm interested to see what the new bus/rail infrastructure they mention is.

AFAIK they basically want to tile the edge platform so that it ties in with the development... stupid thing for the Premier to say, DMTR, QR and about every other department has been involved in this for donkeys...

[Golliwog]

Haha, so basically make it look good, but not real upgrade (new stairs, etc).

[SurfRail]

I'm interested to see what the new bus/rail infrastructure they mention is.

AFAIK they basically want to tile the edge platform so that it ties in with the development... stupid thing for the Premier to say, DMTR, QR and about every other department has been involved in this for donkeys...

Mainly because Anthony John ran out of money in a big, big way and has only just been able to start doing something with the site.

[Stillwater]

How does the LNP plan for extra platforms/extended platforms at Southbank (and delay a start on CRR) fits in with all of this?

[dwb]

How does the LNP plan for extra platforms/extended platforms at Southbank (and delay a start on CRR) fits in with all of this?

It is a non-plan, the only sort LNP knows. It therefore doesn't fit in, cos non-plans never have to worry about non-fruitition!

[BrizCommuter]

There has better be a good reverse peak frequency from South Bank to Roma Street (and vice versa)!

[Golliwog]

There has better be a good reverse peak frequency from South Bank to Roma Street (and vice versa)!

My experience catching a train from Park Rd to Ferny Grove in the afternoon peak is that the counter peak services there aren't terrible, but you do miss a few services that start at Roma St. The only other problem I've noticed is the tendancy to swap a service that is late running for a new train at Roma St. I can't remember the number of times I've been going across the Merivale bridge when the guard has announced "Due to the late running of this service, this is now a Shorncliffe service" (And yes, it's always been a Shorncliffe service!). In the mornings I pretty much always caught the 7.06am or earlier which IIRC all travel through to Beenleigh/Cleveland so I've never had to change.

[Arnz]

Counter Peak between South Bank and Roma Street is at the bare 10-15 min minimum (overlaid by Cleveland, Beenleigh and GC, and the various Yeerongpilly/Manly short workings).

However the inner Western Line (Milton, Auchenflower, Toowong and Indro) also has a good case for better than 15 min counter-peak.

[Arnz]

There has better be a good reverse peak frequency from South Bank to Roma Street (and vice versa)!

My experience catching a train from Park Rd to Ferny Grove in the afternoon peak is that the counter peak services there aren't terrible, but you do miss a few services that start at Roma St. The only other problem I've noticed is the tendancy to swap a service that is late running for a new train at Roma St. I can't remember the number of times I've been going across the Merivale bridge when the guard has announced "Due to the late running of this service, this is now a Shorncliffe service" (And yes, it's always been a Shorncliffe service!). In the mornings I pretty much always caught the 7.06am or earlier which IIRC all travel through to Beenleigh/Cleveland so I've never had to change.

The same happens for the "Mains" lines whenever something goes wrong on those lines.  Around lunchtime a Richlands-Bowen Hills all-stopper lead by SMU261 and partner formed the late running 1pm Nambour service courtesy of the Eagle Junction signal failures today.

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

Suncorp staff told to get on a bike (or bus, train or ferry)

Suncorp staff told to get on a bike (or bus, train or ferry)
Tony Moore
November 30, 2011 - 3:00AM

South Bank Corporation will encourage Suncorp's 3000 staff to use public transport instead of driving to work at their new South Bank home.

Suncorp yesterday announced it would make its new home in a new building on the corner of Grey and Vulture streets at the top end of South Bank.

But the move is set to affect the traffic flow in the area.

Traffic comes from the Pacific Motorway, down Stanley Street and onto Vulture Street in the afternoon, while in the morning peak hour the cycle is reversed.

Daily traffic statistics from Brisbane City Council show the number of vehicles on Vulture Street to the immediate west of Suncorp's new building has increased by 9.7 per cent from 2009 (26,985) to 2011 (29,610), averaged between Monday and Friday.

There are more vehicles closer to the new Children's Hospital, where average weekday Vulture Street traffic has grown by 5 per cent from 2009 (39,515) to 2011 (41,507).

However the daily traffic on Grey Street which runs down through South Bank has slowed by 5 per cent between 2009 and 2011, dropping from 13,316 to 12,600 each day.

South Bank Corporation CEO Malcolm Snow said the site - being developed as "Southpoint" - encouraged workers to use the range of public transport that was available to them.

"It's an ideal location for access to a range of transport options that include a train station, busway, CityCat services and bikeways connecting the southern bank of the river to the CBD and other parts of the city," he said.

While it includes more than 500 car spaces, it also includes almost the same number of bike spaces.

"The proposed development will create 517 new car parks – including public parking – and 464 new bicycle spaces," Mr Snow said.

He said the developers, the Anthony John Group, had shown a balanced approach to considering public transport.

The ABC, which is also putting a large number of staff into the South Bank precinct in 2012 has also reduced the number of car parks in its new South Bank headquarters.

Local councillor Helen Abraham said Suncorp's new building was similar in scale to others along the eastern end of Grey Street.

Cr Abraham said there was a better chance of persuading staff from one large "institutional" organisation to take up public transport, than several smaller firms.

"Within an organisation like that you can get very positive policies to maximise the transit oriented development of the building," she said.

"So the buses are used, there is a proper fit-out for bikes, the railway line is there.

"You could also have a corporate policy that actually encourages - even if it's part of the salary package - to encourage them to cover the transport costs."

Translink is now developing a "corporate" Go Card where companies can issue Go Cards as part of a salary package.

Queensland Conservation Council executive director Toby Hutcheon a fortnight ago called for "broader thinking" and encouraged Go Cards to become part of staff salary packages.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/suncorp-staff-told-to-get-on-a-bike-or-bus-train-or-ferry-20111129-1o58q.html

[dwb]

Interesting article does the unusual and brings together some different threads, PT, bike use, parking, institutional policies, building scale, location, go card products...

[Mozz]

Suncorp as an employer is also a great champion of hot swapping desk environment rather than this desk is mine and also telecommuting

[somebody]

Counter Peak between South Bank and Roma Street is at the bare 10-15 min minimum (overlaid by Cleveland, Beenleigh and GC, and the various Yeerongpilly/Manly short workings).

However the inner Western Line (Milton, Auchenflower, Toowong and Indro) also has a good case for better than 15 min counter-peak.

Delete Auchenflower.  In spite of the Wesley Hospital, the stats just don't support the argument that there is demand for PT here.  Probably because of the large car park.

There has better be a good reverse peak frequency from South Bank to Roma Street (and vice versa)!

Worst gap is from 8:30am-8:51am ex-Roma St.  A couple of others in the PM which aren't good, but on the whole it isn't too bad.

[O_128]

Counter Peak between South Bank and Roma Street is at the bare 10-15 min minimum (overlaid by Cleveland, Beenleigh and GC, and the various Yeerongpilly/Manly short workings).

However the inner Western Line (Milton, Auchenflower, Toowong and Indro) also has a good case for better than 15 min counter-peak.

Delete Auchenflower.  In spite of the Wesley Hospital, the stats just don't support the argument that there is demand for PT here.  Probably because of the large car park.

There has better be a good reverse peak frequency from South Bank to Roma Street (and vice versa)!

Worst gap is from 8:30am-8:51am ex-Roma St.  A couple of others in the PM which aren't good, but on the whole it isn't too bad.

great so the worst gap will be when everyone wants to get to south bank =p

Does it really need 500 car parks?

[Golliwog]

I might draw some ire here, but I'd say yes it does need those 500 spaces. 500 parks for 3000 people isn't bad, and theres going to be some who just aren't able to use PT, due to PT not serving their home, or having an extra trip/doctors appointment in the day that PT can't provide for.

[somebody]

I might draw some ire here, but I'd say yes it does need those 500 spaces. 500 parks for 3000 people isn't bad, and theres going to be some who just aren't able to use PT, due to PT not serving their home, or having an extra trip/doctors appointment in the day that PT can't provide for.

I don't think 1 in 6 cannot use PT.  They just don't want to.  That's a very high park/employee ratio.  Where I work it is closer to 1:20.

[dwb]

I might draw some ire here, but I'd say yes it does need those 500 spaces. 500 parks for 3000 people isn't bad, and theres going to be some who just aren't able to use PT, due to PT not serving their home, or having an extra trip/doctors appointment in the day that PT can't provide for.

I don't think 1 in 6 cannot use PT.  They just don't want to.  That's a very high park/employee ratio.  Where I work it is closer to 1:20.

My understanding is that a certain state politician didn't get a park at QPAC one night, heard about the development and had a stern chat with South Bank Corp, the assessment manager for the development. Despite Council's uneven application of parking ratios, I believe if it were built under the BCC scheme the number of parks would be substantially lower.

* I have not seen the development approval, nor the exact conditions, and I don't know the floorspace of the building, nor the mix of uses, so I cannot use the City Plan to calculate what BCC would have required, so this is going from whisperings, could be completely inaccurate. Given council's statement of travel times and South Bank's overly eager explanation of how many cycle spots they've got, it seems to add up.

[Jonno]

I might draw some ire here, but I'd say yes it does need those 500 spaces. 500 parks for 3000 people isn't bad, and theres going to be some who just aren't able to use PT, due to PT not serving their home, or having an extra trip/doctors appointment in the day that PT can't provide for.

This is exactly why we have a traffic congestion problem.  This provision is not based on any assessment of the trips that cannot be made on public transport but a false assumption that only a low % can ever be made by public transport.  So we are designing a city and transport network that forces a maximum use of car and minimum use of public transport.  Wake up Brisbane we are planning the mess not failing to plan for it.  There really is no hope if a development over a railway station has 500 car parks.

[dwb]

This is exactly why we have a traffic congestion problem.  This provision is not based on any assessment of the trips that cannot be made on public transport but a false assumption that only a low % can ever be made by public transport.  So we are designing a city and transport network that forces a maximum use of car and minimum use of public transport.  Wake up Brisbane we are planning the mess not failing to plan for it.  There really is no hope if a development over a railway station has 500 car parks.

You might like this link Jonno: http://www.humantransit.org/2010/01/the-high-cost-of-free-parking-the-movie.html

[#Metro]

Just CHARGE for the parking! Obvious solution!!!

[somebody]

Just CHARGE for the parking! Obvious solution!!!

Not going to happen where parking is plentiful.  People will just park over the road.  In this town we are obsessed with car parking!

[dwb]

Just CHARGE for the parking! Obvious solution!!!

Not going to happen where parking is plentiful.  People will just park over the road.  In this town we are obsessed with car parking!

I find this interesting...
http://www.humantransit.org/2010/08/san-francisco-a-free-market-in-parking-begins.html
... and in a few years it could be Brisbane, especially once all the high demand / inner city on street parking is regulated!

[#Metro]

Not going to happen where parking is plentiful.  People will just park over the road.  In this town we are obsessed with car parking!

Free parking isn't free if you charge for it. 

So what if people park across the road? If 1 person pays for parking, that's still $$$ over and above the situation where everything is free.
And if you charge, some people will ride a bike, walk, carpool or catch PT to avoid the charge.

[somebody]

Just CHARGE for the parking! Obvious solution!!!

Not going to happen where parking is plentiful.  People will just park over the road.  In this town we are obsessed with car parking!

I find this interesting...
http://www.humantransit.org/2010/08/san-francisco-a-free-market-in-parking-begins.html
... and in a few years it could be Brisbane, especially once all the high demand / inner city on street parking is regulated!

I cannot see something like that being implemented in Brisbane.

Sydney much more likely.

A year later, I wonder how it is going?

[achiruel]

I find this interesting...
http://www.humantransit.org/2010/08/san-francisco-a-free-market-in-parking-begins.html
... and in a few years it could be Brisbane, especially once all the high demand / inner city on street parking is regulated!

Brilliant idea, should be implemented in areas like New Farm, Paddington, Woollongabba, West End etc. where on-street parking is at a premium and very good public transport options are available.

[Jonno]

...the decision to use parking happens when we leave home in our car

. This is the crux.  Unfortunately a significant amount of parking is either free or subsidised by employers/tax provisions.  So cost is not the deciding factor but availability.

The less parking available the more people will seek alternatives and all the benefits that go with it. Yes the alternatives need to be there, frequently and not stuck in congestion.  Best of all the alternatives will cost society less economically, environmentally and socially.

[johnnigh]

Parking space obviously works just like roads, as attractors of, especially, car use. After the CBD, South Bank and UQ St Lucia are the most parking intensive locations in Queensland. No surprise about where car congestion holds up buses the most. And no surprise about where the most expensive PT infrastructure has had to go. South Bank is a transport museum in action, with all of the possible modes in evidence, but cars remain kings of the road and best for congestion, despite parking station fees.

Boasting about providing fewer cycle parking spaces than car spaces is rather empty, like boasting that you're eating at Macdonalds only a few times more a week than eating at home.
The CBD has seen a reasonable improvement in bike end-of-trip facilities over the past decade, but neither South Bank nor UQ have made any significant progress. From what I can see, UQ has fewer secure bike parking spots than Corinda Railway Station.

[#Metro]

Parking space obviously works just like roads, as attractors of, especially, car use. After the CBD, South Bank and UQ St Lucia are the most parking intensive locations in Queensland. No surprise about where car congestion holds up buses the most. And no surprise about where the most expensive PT infrastructure has had to go. South Bank is a transport museum in action, with all of the possible modes in evidence, but cars remain kings of the road and best for congestion, despite parking station fees.

Boasting about providing fewer cycle parking spaces than car spaces is rather empty, like boasting that you're eating at Macdonalds only a few times more a week than eating at home.
The CBD has seen a reasonable improvement in bike end-of-trip facilities over the past decade, but neither South Bank nor UQ have made any significant progress. From what I can see, UQ has fewer secure bike parking spots than Corinda Railway Station.

While UQ doesn't have much in the way of end of trip facilities, it does have huge amounts of non-secure cycling spaces. And these get filled up rapidly as well. I think that is the way to go- lots of bicycle parking around the city that you don't need a key or cage to get into for. I'm surprised to hear that there are as many cycling spaces as car spaces for that new development. Anthony John Group eh?

[dwb]

Don't blame the developer, blame the government (and the council), the pollies at both levels on both teams are the ones obsessed with providing too much free carparking.

[ozbob]

Don't blame the developer, blame the government (and the council), the pollies at both levels on both teams are the ones obsessed with providing too much free carparking.

Well put Dwb ...