Roma St key to $1bn grand plan

[ozbob]

From Sundaymail  click here!

Roma St key to $1bn grand plan
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)
By Darrell Giles

November 17, 2007 11:00pm

BRISBANE'S Roma Street precinct will undergo a major facelift, turning it into the latest transport, residential and commercial hub.

The State Government has already identified Bowen Hills, Albion and South Bank as future Transit Oriented Developments at a cost of more than $1 billion.

Premier Anna Bligh will today release plans for a Roma Street redevelopment focused on improved commuter, pedestrian and cyclist access to surrounding areas.

Ms Bligh said the project ? part of the Smart State Council's "Smart Cities: rethinking the city centre" vision ? would help connect Brisbane's inner northwest to the CBD.

"Under the plan, Roma Street Station will become Brisbane's premier interchange and the rejuvenated city gateway for local and visiting bus and train travellers," she said.

"The links it will create to so many of Brisbane's great attractions ? Suncorp Stadium, Kelvin Grove Urban Village, the future Cycle Centre, Roma Street Parkland, Queensland Place, GoMA and South Bank ? will create a whole new way to explore this part of the city."

Parts of the area had already been developed, including the Roma Street Parkland, the Pradella residential development and Magistrates Court complex at Queensland Place.

"The proposal will build on these initiatives and cement the Roma Street precinct's role as a transport hub and as a destination of choice for business and residential living.

"It is an exciting time in the city's history with significant development creating a new Brisbane ? a truly metropolitan, cultural and vibrant city.

"I want to see Brisbane's current and emerging creative, cultural and educational precincts connected and brought closer to the people of the city through pedestrian access."

Ms Bligh last week announced redevelopment of the South Bank railway station under a $650 million plan, to be named Southpoint.

And earlier this month she said the iconic flour mills and silos at Albion on Brisbane's northside would be the focal point of a $280 million village and transport centre.

Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said the Roma Street precinct would be bound by Turbot Street, Upper Albert Street, Wickham Terrace, College Road, Countess Street, Roma Street and George Street. He said the Government would work closely with the private sector.

"It will be delivered at no net cost to the state ? the tender for the development site will fund public infrastructure," Mr Schwarten said.

Residents could have their say on the proposal during a consultation period extended until February 1.

The Smart State Council report released in July identified four super-precincts ? Bowen Hills, City West, South Brisbane and Woolloongabba ? with major redevelopment planned.

The areas would be bigger than the CBD and feature major train and bus links.

"The Smart City vision is about reclaiming Brisbane's city centre for pedestrians," Ms Bligh said.

[ozbob]

This feel good plan seems to be in contradiction to the proposal to cut bus bays at the transit centre ( see --> http://backontrack.org/mbs/index.php?topic=279.0 )

Additionally we must have sufficient trains/buses to cope with the present loads let alone the growth that is going to occur.  The government is great on rhetoric but slow on transport action.  At least we are starting to see a slow acknowledgement that the present paradigm, roads roads and more roads is doomed to failure.

[ozbob]

Joint Statement:

Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh

Minister for Public Works, Housing and Information and Communication Technology
The Honourable Robert Schwarten
18/11/2007

Smart City Vision Continues With Roma Street Plans

Brisbane's Smart City revolution continued today with Premier Anna Bligh releasing plans to transform Roma Street into a thriving transport, residential and commercial hub.

Ms Bligh said the Government released its Smart Cities vision in July, following a report produced by the Smart State Council, Smart Cities: rethinking the city centre.

"The Smart City vision is about reclaiming Brisbane's city centre for pedestrians," Ms Bligh said.

"It is an exciting time in the city's history with significant development creating a 'new' Brisbane - a truly metropolitan, cultural and vibrant city.

"I want to see Brisbane's current and emerging creative, cultural and educational precincts connected and brought closer to the people of the city through pedestrian access," she said.

Ms Bligh said the proposed Roma Street Redevelopment Project, released for public consultation today, would play an important role in connecting Brisbane's inner north-west to the city centre.

"The proposed redevelopment is focused on facilitating better commuter, pedestrian and cyclist access to surrounding precincts," she said.

"Under the plan, Roma Street Station will become Brisbane's premier interchange and the rejuvenated city gateway for local and visiting bus and train travellers.

"The links it will create to so many of Brisbane's great attractions - Suncorp Stadium, Kelvin Grove Urban Village, the future Cycle Centre, Roma Street Parkland, Queensland Place, GoMA and South Bank - will create a whole new way to explore this part of the city," she said.

Ms Bligh said several parcels of land within the area had already been developed including the Roma Street Parklands, the Pradella residential development and the Magistrates Court complex at Queensland Place.

"The proposal released today will build on these initiatives and cement the Roma Street precinct's role as a transport hub and as a destination of choice for business and residential living," she said.

Public Works Minister Robert Schwarten said major local and state government agencies had been consulted during the development of the Draft Strategic Plan and he looked forward to public comment on the proposal.

"The proposed redevelopment is an outstanding opportunity for the State and private sector to provide significant improvement to the city's western gateway," Mr Schwarten said.

"And it will be delivered at no net cost to the State - the tender for the development site will fund public infrastructure," he said.

The Roma Street precinct is bound by Turbot Street, Upper Albert Street, Wickham Terrace, College Road, Countess Street, Roma Street and George Street.

Mr Schwarten urged Brisbane residents to have their say on the proposal, which will be available at www.publicworks.qld.gov.au tomorrow.

Plans will also be on display at the Roma Street Parklands and in the city by the end of the week.

An extended consultation period will be in place to allow for the Christmas/New Year break. Submissions close Friday, 1 February 2008.

To view the proposal visit: http://www.publicworks.qld.gov.au/showcase/roma_st_precinct.cfm

[SteelPan]

Yes, this announcement concerns me too. 

Seems to be a bit of a retreat to "here comes granny (93yo next April) on her pushbike now".  Look, bikes for some (a relative very few) and foot power for others (on some days, for some, OK) have there place - fine.  But where are the billion dollar announcements about MORE ROLLING STOCK, MORE NEW RAIL CORRIDORS ETC.  One BIG improvement QR/Translink could action NOW is to ACTION enhanced electronic signage at stations - particularly (in addition to on platform signage) 100, 200 or 300 metres from the station, as you approach the station, you can see which platform to head straight for and exactly how long you have to the train arrives.  They seem to do this well at alot of Sydney stations.  This would not cost the Earth, but as years tick by NEVER seems to get done!

In any case, "big" announcements from pollies involving trees, bikeways and "pedestrian access" are really just FEEL GOOD statements putting off yet again the REAL decision-making for another day!