Queens Wharf Development

[Stillwater]

A fitting tribute, given that Neville Bonner was a bridge-builder by trade (with the old Moreton Shire Council) and a bridge builder in life and politics.

[verbatim9]

New flyover of the City and Hamilton incl Queens Wharf, Brisbane Metro and CRR.  http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/interactive-brisbanes-skyline-to-be-transformed-in-2022-20160815-gqsixb.html

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Casino precinct roadwork continues despite $10m budget hole

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Queens Wharf casino to fight expressway noise with more noise

[verbatim9]

^^Council and State may need to do the design work for all 3 tunnel projects CRR, Metro and the Expressway in one. So the tunnels in the future don't clash with each other.

[SurfRail]

What metro?

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Council threatens to scrap $40m of projects over unpaid $10m bill

[ozbob]

 

[ozbob]

19th December 2016
   
Media Release
JOINT STATEMENT
Acting Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Curtis Pitt

Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef
The Honourable Steven Miles

Queen's Wharf on the move with first approval

The $3 billion jobs-boosting Queen's Wharf Brisbane (QWB) development will kick off in the New Year with the first approval, for early works and demolition, issued today.

Acting Premier Curtis Pitt said the works will mark an important milestone for the river city, making it the perfect way to launch into 2017.

"The development of this important 13.5 hectare riverfront site will change the face of Brisbane and kicking off the year with the first works for such a significant project is great news for the local economy," Mr Pitt said.

"It's out with the old and in with the new as we create space to accommodate the fantastic vision outlined in the QWB Priority Development Area development scheme.

"The Palaszczuk Government expects the project will secure 2000 jobs during construction and 8000 long-term jobs in hospitality and tourism, promoting further economic development for the future."

Acting Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning Steven Miles said that this important milestone was integral to Brisbane's future as a global tourism destination.

"This vision is of an internationally recognised precinct that reflects the unique identity of Brisbane and Queensland with world-class sustainable urban design and architecture," Dr Miles said.

"Crucially, this approval protects our important heritage buildings so that they can be enjoyed for generations to come.

"We also want to ensure that locals are looked after through construction which is why the approval includes measures to manage traffic, stormwater and noise as well as mandating sediment control and tree replacement."

The demolition works will include the removal of the Executive Building, 80 George Street and the Neville Bonner Building, which are no longer required following the completion of 1 William Street.

The early works will also include vegetation clearing; site fencing and advertising; the relocation of services including water, sewer, electricity and gas; hoarding and monitoring of heritage buildings; and minor excavation works.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane Queen's Wharf: Government wants urgent changes

THE State Government wants to make urgent changes to the $3 billion Queen's Wharf development after key parts were not included in the priority development area.

Acting Planning Minister Steven Miles said stakehold­ers, including Brisbane City Council, Energex, South Bank Corp­ora­tion and Queensland Urban Utilities, would be consulted to address concerns after three pieces of infrastructure around the PDA were overlooked.

The biggest oversight was a pedestrian bridge from Queen's Wharf to South Bank Parklands but it also included footpaths and sewerage works.

Mr Miles blamed the oversight on the former Newman government.

"It is unfortunate that, when previous minister for economic development Jeff Seeney declared the Queen's Wharf PDA two years ago in November 2014, the full scale and implications of this development were not fully appreciated, and the PDA bound­ary was inadequately defined," Mr Miles said. ...

[SteelPan]

blames the Newman govt for the "oversight"......... yeah mate....there goes another  flock now!

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane's $3 billion inner-city facelift begins January 1

William Street will close for six years from Sunday, January 1, as work begins to completely transform inner-city Brisbane between George and William streets and let the city's new $3 billion casino and resort complex get under way. ...

[ozbob]

1st January 2017

Media Release
Minister for State Development and Minister for Natural Resources and Mines
The Honourable Anthony Lynham

New Year kicks off with QWB's 6-year jobs journey

It's official!  Day one of the six-year $3 billion Queen's Wharf Brisbane building program is underway with State Development Minister Dr Anthony Lynham handing over the CBD site to Destination Brisbane Consortium.

"What better way to start a new year than for a State Development Minister to kick off a project that one day will employ more than 8,000 operational workers on this site," Dr Lynham said.

"Today officially starts that six-year jobs journey.  Today the State hands over this underutilised CBD precinct for the Consortium to turn into a world-class Integrated Resort.

"Today it might just be - the hoarding, the road closures and the handing over of security - but it's a great start."

"Eventually there will be 2000 construction workers on this massive game-changing project.

"Yes there will be some inconvenience - but there will be thousands of jobs and massive new investment in Queensland.

"It is simply about getting more tourists, especially internationals, to stay longer, to spend more and to return here – and with their mates.

"As I have said previously it is a great outcome for Queensland that this major project will support local jobs; local suppliers; local training and apprenticeships and Indigenous participation.

"But to get this journey underway and to begin the reinvigoration of this seriously underutilised part of the Brisbane CBD, we first need to secure the site and then demolish the non-heritage buildings".

Dr Lynham said from today Probuild will start with demolition and enabling works.

These are expected to take a year to complete. This includes demolition of the three non-heritage former government buildings (80 George Street, 100 George Street, and the Neville Bonner Building).

This will be undertaken by a slow demolition process where safety will be the highest priority, ever mindful of our CBD users; motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.

"All heritage buildings within the precinct will remain protected and secured ready to be restored and repurposed," Dr Lynham said.

QWB's Integrated Resort Development is anticipated to open in 2022 including;

It is to include:

    an iconic signature Arc building, including a feature Sky Deck,
    five new hotels including Brisbane's first six-star hotel,
    three residential towers,
    and around 50 food and beverage outlets.

As well this transformational inner-city development that will deliver:

    12 football fields of enhanced public open space
    a new pedestrian bridge from the CBD to South Bank
    more than 8000 operational jobs.

Dr Lynham said the QWB project is expected to attract 1.4 million additional tourists once completed and see an $1.69 billion annual increase in tourism spend.

Dr Lynham was joined at today's handover by The Star Entertainment Group Managing Director and CEO Matt Bekier, DBC executives, Royal Historical Society of Queensland (RHSQ) representatives and State Development officers.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> CBD buildings make way for Queen's Wharf

[ozbob]

Brisbane's city centre is being transformed into a $3 billion construction site https://t.co/xz9WiwqNed @JessMumme #7News pic.twitter.com/9hWDiqcfJW

— 7 News Queensland (@7NewsQueensland) January 1, 2017

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane Queen's Wharf: Road closures as demolition steps up

COMMUTERS through the Brisbane CBD will be impacted by road closures this Easter holiday as hard demolition preparations for the Queen's Wharf redevelopment starts.

Margaret St from the Riverside Expressway to George St will be shut from Thursday this week through to Tuesday as developers erect safety hoarding below the Margaret St overpass.

State Development Minister Anthony Lynham said hard demolition would begin around June over five weekends.

"Preparations are under way to demolish Margaret St linking 80A and 80B George Street, with hard demolition to follow soon," Dr Lynham said.

"By October the public may no longer see much of these three buildings."

A one-kilometre long billboard that doubles up as timber security hoarding was also unveiled today.

The 2.4m high billboard, which wraps around the redevelopment project and is expected to be lengthened, features every day people currently working on the project.

Dr Lynham said the Queen's Wharf redevelopment project would eventually generate 2000 construction jobs, 8000 operational jobs, and business opportunities.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> New free buses suggested in project's traffic report


The proposed new City Loop route, which would service Caxton Street, 1 William Street, QUT, the courts precinct and Suncorp Stadium. Photo: Felicity Caldwell

Brisbane could get more late night train services and extra City Loop buses as a by-product of the $3 billion Queen's Wharf development.

A traffic engineering report for the Queen's Wharf project, conducted by consulting firm TTM, recommends authorities look at whether the free City Loop buses could run on Saturdays and Sundays, and also Friday and Saturday nights, to improve accessibility to public transport hubs.

A fly-through shows the parkland, riverfront nightlife, hotels, skydeck and bridge to South Bank which will feature in a new development.

Brisbane City Council operates two free city City Loop bus services, Monday to Friday, 7am to 6pm. There is also the Spring Hill Loop.

The City Loop is favoured by workers in the government's 1 William Street, tourists, university students and others who travel across the CBD regularly.

The report suggests the creation of a third City Loop bus route, extending from Margaret Street and up to Caxton Street.

"With the significant demand currently generated by QUT, combined with the demands generated by 1 William Street and QWB [Queen's Wharf Brisbane], it is considered appropriate that a new loop service be considered by the authorities," it reads.
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The consultants say the proposed new City Loop route would improve access to the Roma Street train station, King George Square and Queen Street busway stations and Adelaide Street bus stops.

"In a broader context, this route would service significant existing and new development at QUT, 1 William Street, Brisbane Square, the Queen Street Mall, 300 George Street, the courts precinct, the Caxton Street entertainment precinct and Suncorp Stadium," the report reads.

Council Public and Active Transport chairman Councillor Adrian Schrinner said the council would be open to expanding the City Loop service.

"Council would be pleased to offer expanded City Loop services to late nights and weekends, when TransLink allocates the funding required," Cr Schrinner said.

"Council already offers the Maroon City Glider, which provides high-frequency services past Roma Street and Caxton Street, including late on Friday and Saturday nights."

Cr Schrinner also pointed to the council's Brisbane Metro project, which he said would provide services to Queen's Wharf and run around the clock on Friday and Saturday nights, and 20 hours a day on other days.

He said while the council funded existing high-frequency services, it was the state government's responsibility to fund extra public transport to meet the needs of the Queen's Wharf development.

The report makes mention of the proposed Cross River Rail and Brisbane Metro projects, which would increase public transport options in the CBD.

The traffic report also suggests authorities investigate expanding late night train services to cater for extra demand.

However, the public transport wish list is likely years away from materialising, as Queen's Wharf is not scheduled to open until 2022.

The report is one of almost 40 recently lodged by Destination Brisbane Consortium as part of the Queen's Wharf plan of development.

A Destination Brisbane Consortium spokesman said the project supported initiatives to encourage the use of public transport.

"Transport has been a major consideration with Destination Brisbane Consortium working closely with the Department of State Development, Transport and Main Roads, Brisbane City Council and transport consultants in the preparation of the traffic engineering report that supports our plan of development," the spokesman said.

The project also includes upgrading the Bicentennial Bikeway, with a new end-of-ride facility called the Velo Cafe to provide repair, shower and storage facilities to cater for increased bicycle traffic by 2022.

The traffic report states that a large proportion of the bikeway does not currently meet a desirable standard for what is supposed to be a primary cycle route, which impacts on safety for cyclists and pedestrians, the ability to use it at night or for cyclists to travel at high speeds.

"This is caused by general poor amenity, limited separation of pedestrians, no casual surveillance, degraded pavement and close proximity to the unfenced river edge," it reads.

Changes to the bikeway will include a segregated higher speed bikeway with paved treatments at crossing points between Queens Plaza and the Goodwill Bridge; and the removal of poor sight lines and tight geometry.

The plan of development is now being considered by Economic Development Queensland, with the assessment process expected to take several months.

An EDQ spokesman said it would engage a team of experts to rigorously assess all aspects of the application, including traffic flows, car parking, public transport routes, cycling and pedestrian movements.

Queen's Wharf will include five new hotels, 50 new bars and restaurants, retail space, a Sky Deck, casino, 2000 apartments and a new pedestrian bridge to South Bank.

The current City Loop routes (blue and black) and the Spring Hill Loop (purple). Photo: Felicity Caldwell

[Derwan]

Of course council won't offer to fund a public transport initiative.... we're not close enough to a council election!   

[#Metro]

I don't think I would support it.

Circulators tend to have poor patronage, and the one-way trip makes it even worse.

Cross River Rail would also do the job. You know, they should have thought about doing that and integrating it into the development

rather than jump ahead with Queens Wharf and temporarily suspend thinking about how CRR might integrate into that there.

[James]

What's really needed is a bus service down towards the Parliament precinct. My preference is for the BUZes from Chermside to proceed to the Parliament precinct via William St (inbound), then back via George St before doing a small loop to get back into the busway.

Parliament & QUT is woefully underserved at the moment, and as it is, by the time you walk to the stop, wait for the bus, then travel on it, it is almost to the point where you would have been better off walking anyway. The route running every 10 minutes simply isn't enough for a CBD which can be walked to in that time, especially after factoring in peak hour traffic.

[SurfRail]

It's ridiculous that the 340 doesn't already stop there.

330, 333 and 340 should all continue to and terminate at the Gabba, it would do a fair bit to fix this issue and would also remove unnecessary congestion from the Cultural Centre.  Certain peak hour services would terminate in the CBD instead of getting exposed to the Captain Cook Bridge traffic.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane traffic: Inner city hit by cyclist protest, Queens Wharf works

BRISBANE cyclists are planning to block access to a busy bridge in the CBD tomorrow as a form of protest against riders getting less access to the city.

As part of a mass bike ride through the city, cyclists will hold a "die-in" on the Victoria Bridge, running from the CBD to South Bank, for about one minute across the road.

Participants plan to lie on the road — to remember cyclists who have been killed in car crashes — but will allow buses to pass.

The die-in action will happen after cyclists hear speeches at 10.30am tomorrow at South Bank.

It is part of an ongoing fight with Brisbane City Council for protected bike lanes in the CBD. However the animosity has spread after revised Metro plans saw cyclists face increasing restrictions on future use of the bridge.

Renegade Greens councillor Jonathan Sri said redirecting cyclists over the Kurilpa or Goodwill bridges would result in more commuter cyclists "mixing it" with pedestrians along the South Bank riverfront and George St footpaths in the CBD.

"If we don't get this bridge design right, we'll end up spending a lot more money to redo it down the track as more Brisbane residents take up recycling," Cr Sri said.

He said this form of protest was a last resort after he accused council of ignoring alternative submissions from locals.

Meanwhile, Margaret St ramps on the Riverside Expressway will be closed every weekend night until September 11 as part of the $3 billion Queens Wharf project.

Vehicles will need to use the Elizabeth or Turbot streets ramps to access the expressway.

Sections of Margaret St, from the Riverside Expressway to George St, will remain closed as demolition work continues in the city centre.

[Cazza]

Why are people so arrogant and disrespectful to cyclists? Every article published about something remotely related to cyclists and people start complaining about them. I don't understand.

Example A: "Cyclists are already a pain in the butt in the city and selfish to boot.  No wonder no one cares about their 'rights'.  They never think of the rights of drivers and not everyone is healthy enough to cycle.  Let them thank God for their good health instead of whinging and causing more chaos that will affect commuters just trying to enjoy a Saturday in the city."

Like really, this actually is quite amusing. Why are they blaming the "good health of people" for the lack of thought for "the rights of drivers". Seriously. Grow up.

Cyclists don't go out of their way to p%ss drivers off. They are only out riding for two reasons- for enjoyment or to get from A to B. The reason why drivers get so annoyed at cyclists is because they have preconceived ideas on the behaviours of cyclists. This is due to the both people they know and the media portraying them as a nuisance as they exacerbate stories that they have encountered with cyclists (which most of these stories have had the truth stretched right out of them).

As a cyclist myself, it is frustrating the abuse we get from arrogant drivers. They are the ones that don't know the road rules. For example, the other week myself and a mate were riding side by side on Waterworks Rd in the left lane and get verbally abused by a car passing telling us to get on the footpath as we were "taking up the whole road". In no way were we breaking the law yet oblivious idiots continuously abuse us over our "lack of knowledge" of the road rules. Go figure!!

Just for anyone else unaware of the laws around bikes on roads, you can do a refresh here: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/other/cyclists
I'd also like to point out this bit in particular:
"It is legal for 2 bicycle riders to ride side-by-side on a road, as long as they are not more than 1.5m apart."
So many drivers either A) don't know about this rule; B) forgot about this rule or C) know about it but want another excuse to bag out cyclists because nobody likes them on the roads.

[BrizCommuter]

Why are people so arrogant and disrespectful to cyclists? Every article published about something remotely related to cyclists and people start complaining about them. I don't understand.

Example A: "Cyclists are already a pain in the butt in the city and selfish to boot.  No wonder no one cares about their 'rights'.  They never think of the rights of drivers and not everyone is healthy enough to cycle.  Let them thank God for their good health instead of whinging and causing more chaos that will affect commuters just trying to enjoy a Saturday in the city."

Like really, this actually is quite amusing. Why are they blaming the "good health of people" for the lack of thought for "the rights of drivers". Seriously. Grow up.

Cyclists don't go out of their way to p%ss drivers off. They are only out riding for two reasons- for enjoyment or to get from A to B. The reason why drivers get so annoyed at cyclists is because they have preconceived ideas on the behaviours of cyclists. This is due to the both people they know and the media portraying them as a nuisance as they exacerbate stories that they have encountered with cyclists (which most of these stories have had the truth stretched right out of them).

As a cyclist myself, it is frustrating the abuse we get from arrogant drivers. They are the ones that don't know the road rules. For example, the other week myself and a mate were riding side by side on Waterworks Rd in the left lane and get verbally abused by a car passing telling us to get on the footpath as we were "taking up the whole road". In no way were we breaking the law yet oblivious idiots continuously abuse us over our "lack of knowledge" of the road rules. Go figure!!

Just for anyone else unaware of the laws around bikes on roads, you can do a refresh here: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/other/cyclists
I'd also like to point out this bit in particular:
"It is legal for 2 bicycle riders to ride side-by-side on a road, as long as they are not more than 1.5m apart."
So many drivers either A) don't know about this rule; B) forgot about this rule or C) know about it but want another excuse to bag out cyclists because nobody likes them on the roads.

Respect should go both ways. Sadly, there are some arrogant and disrespectful cyclists as well. Usually young/middle age men in lycra.

[Cazza]

Why are people so arrogant and disrespectful to cyclists? Every article published about something remotely related to cyclists and people start complaining about them. I don't understand.

Example A: "Cyclists are already a pain in the butt in the city and selfish to boot.  No wonder no one cares about their 'rights'.  They never think of the rights of drivers and not everyone is healthy enough to cycle.  Let them thank God for their good health instead of whinging and causing more chaos that will affect commuters just trying to enjoy a Saturday in the city."

Like really, this actually is quite amusing. Why are they blaming the "good health of people" for the lack of thought for "the rights of drivers". Seriously. Grow up.

Cyclists don't go out of their way to p%ss drivers off. They are only out riding for two reasons- for enjoyment or to get from A to B. The reason why drivers get so annoyed at cyclists is because they have preconceived ideas on the behaviours of cyclists. This is due to the both people they know and the media portraying them as a nuisance as they exacerbate stories that they have encountered with cyclists (which most of these stories have had the truth stretched right out of them).

As a cyclist myself, it is frustrating the abuse we get from arrogant drivers. They are the ones that don't know the road rules. For example, the other week myself and a mate were riding side by side on Waterworks Rd in the left lane and get verbally abused by a car passing telling us to get on the footpath as we were "taking up the whole road". In no way were we breaking the law yet oblivious idiots continuously abuse us over our "lack of knowledge" of the road rules. Go figure!!

Just for anyone else unaware of the laws around bikes on roads, you can do a refresh here: https://www.qld.gov.au/transport/safety/rules/other/cyclists
I'd also like to point out this bit in particular:
"It is legal for 2 bicycle riders to ride side-by-side on a road, as long as they are not more than 1.5m apart."
So many drivers either A) don't know about this rule; B) forgot about this rule or C) know about it but want another excuse to bag out cyclists because nobody likes them on the roads.

Respect should go both ways. Sadly, there are some arrogant and disrespectful cyclists as well. Usually young/middle age men in lycra.

That's true. Everyone has a right to be on the road. It's just from what I have seen/heard from the media, it's more about the arrogance of cyclists rather than the obliviousness of drivers.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Detailed Queen's Wharf plans reveal scale of development

In numbers

    Jobs during peak construction

    Football fields of public space

    New bars, restaurants and cafes

    Jobs once operational
    8000+

    Additional visitors to Brisbane
    1.39M

Queen's Wharf is set to be greater than once thought, with Destination Brisbane Consortium's development application seeking approval for buildings up to 74-storeys, allowing for 600 more hotel rooms than initially expected.

The development application submitted to the state government has now opened for the public to provide comment on the proposal at the former government precinct.
More detail about the proposed Queen's Wharf development has been revealed.

More detail about the proposed Queen's Wharf development has been revealed.

The plan for the 27.3-hectare site includes about 12 hectares of land and a 15.3 hectare part of the Brisbane River, along with the retention and re-use of heritage buildings.

The DA includes plans for a casino, resort complex, hotel, bar, park, shops, residential, parking, a microbrewery, a major sport, recreation and entertainment facility; power generators, new sewer trunk, and a new pedestrian bridge connecting the CBD with South Bank.

When Destination Brisbane Consortium first proposed the Queens Wharf Development, they proposed 1000 new hotel rooms – this has since increased to 1600.
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The Plan of Development, submitted as part of the DA, also outlined the extent of development allowable within the Priority Development Area.

The Queensland government department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning states a Priority Development Area (PDA) is a parcel of land in Queensland identified for accelerated development, with a focus on economic growth.

As per the plan, Destination Brisbane Consortium has proposed towers as high as 74 storeys, or 265 metres – just nine metres short of the AirServices Australia-mandated height limit of 274 metres.

Fairfax Media reported on the heights of buildings in Brisbane's CBD in March after Lord Mayor Graham Quirk called for aviation authorities to relax height restriction to allow heights of up to 300 metres.

The upper levels of 1 William Street, which neighbours the development site, reaches 180 metres above sea level, but the spire takes it to 267 metres.

The proposed 74-storey tower will not be the tallest building in the CBD, with the residential Brisbane Skytower on Margaret Street expected to be 90 storeys and reach the maximum 274 metres.

Destination Brisbane Consortium spokesman said the company continued to work through a range of requirements and guidelines as part of the PDA approval process.

"The plan will act as a framework and specifies limits that the development can work within," he said.

The proposed Queen's Wharf PDA was declared on November 28, 2014, and went to public notification from August 7 to September 21, 2015.

There were 34 submissions received during this time, voicing both concern and support.

Concerns raised included vision and appropriateness of an integrated resort development at the site.

The government approved the PDA on January 28, 2016.

Residents now have the opportunity to make submissions about the proposed use of the site, including building use and height.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said she wanted people across their state to have their say on Queen's Wharf because it was a project that could shape and transform the city.

"Queen's Wharf Brisbane project (is) a game-changing urban renewal development, for its ability to create thousands of jobs and its potential for economic growth for our state," she said.

"But this development will always be balanced by what the people want in our vibrant city and this is your opportunity to have your say on our future."

Residents have until October 19 to make a submission.

[ozbob]

5th September 2017

Media Release
Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Have your say on the Queen's Wharf Brisbane development

The Palaszczuk Government is encouraging the public to have their say on the plan for the city shaping Queen's Wharf Brisbane Integrated Resort Development.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said public consultation would be open for six weeks from tomorrow (6 September) until the 19 October 2017.

"I want people from across the state to have a say on Queen's Wharf because it is a project that is truly going to shape and transform our city," Ms Palaszczuk said.

"Queen's Wharf Brisbane project as a game-changing urban renewal development, for its ability to create thousands of jobs and its potential for economic growth for our State.

"But this development will always be balanced by what the people want in our vibrant city and this is your opportunity to have your say on our future.

"We know that Queen's Wharf can deliver great outcomes for our heritage, for new public and open spaces and for exciting urban design.

"It will be an iconic project for the City, transforming the North Bank and linking conveniently with the new Albert Street Cross River Rail Station, and I want to encourage people to have their say."

The Destination Brisbane Consortium will be responsible for notifying all interested parties to make formal submissions to address any concerns with, or provide support for the development application. All submissions will be considered by Economic Development Queensland.

The Queen's Wharf Brisbane Priority Development Area was declared on 28 November 2014, to facilitate the planning and delivery of the Queen's Wharf Brisbane Integrated Resort Development and to establish the necessary policy framework to support the intended development for the site.

Submissions can be made by email or post:

Post: MEDQ c/- EDQ Development Assessment, Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning, GPO Box 2202, Brisbane QLD 4001, or

Email:pdadevelopmentassessment@dilgp.qld.gov.au.

Website: The PoD development application and associated documents are available by searching DEV2017/846 on: www.dilgp.qld.gov.au/pda-da-applications

ENDS

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Construction of the Queen's Wharf pedestrian bridge is likely to disrupt CityCat traffic

A PLANNED bridge to connect Queen's Wharf Brisbane to South Bank could pose operational risks to CityCat services and even put a complete stop to them in certain circumstances.

It was just one of a litany of complaints Brisbane City Council has made against in its submission on the state-facilitated development.

Brisbane City Council's Public and Active Transport Committee heard that the Neville Bonner Bridge pylon placement and bridge height could have "fairly serious" affects on CityCat operations.

The council officer who presented to the committee said it was "really important" the bridge did not affect safe operation on the Brisbane River.

She said there were "certain tidal conditions where the CityCat would not be able to use it (the section of the river) at all".

The council's submission on Queen's Wharf Brisbane also forcefully requested the Neville Bonner Bridge cater to cyclists.

Under current plans the bridge would be for pedestrians only.

"The current proposal will miss a major opportunity to enhance the connectivity of the CBD and inner city and provide a new river crossing for transport," it stated.

The submission also stated that planned changes to the Bicentennial Bikeway, which would be a shared path for 300m of the 920m affected, should be fully separated.

"This is considered essential in meeting existing and future transport needs of the city," it stated.

The council also called for better links for cyclists within the site itself.

Bicycle Queensland chief executive officer Ben Wilson said building a new bridge without cycling access was "a fail for the project".

He said it was good the council was calling for better bicycle links but pointed to its hypocrisy on the issue.

"What's similarly happening is the Brisbane Metro project is reducing all the bicycle movements on the Victoria Bridge," he said.

"What we're facing at the moment is two new limitations on cycling ... it's two specific state government and council actions to make cycling harder.

"I think they're (the council) quite entitled to say a new bridging going in should provide cycling but they're guilty themselves."

A Department of Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning spokesman said it would be inappropriate to comment on any submissions during the Economic Development Queensland's assessment phase.

He said EDQ was "comprehensively considering" all matters raised in submissions.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/AnnastaciaMP/status/971604132179034113

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/JoshBavas/status/971650754824957952

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Elevated bikeway could solve choke point at Queen's Wharf development


An indicative path of where an elevated bikeway could be built.
Photo: Supplied

An elevated bikeway in the Brisbane CBD will be considered as a potential solution to a future choke point at the Queen's Wharf development.

A new design for the Bicentennial Bikeway, as part of Queen's Wharf, was proposed to include a 70-metre long plaza, similar to King George Square.

There would also have been a separated cycling and pedestrian path for 570 metres as well as 250 metres of a shared cycling and pedestrian path.

However, cyclists and Brisbane City Council had raised "grave" concerns the shared area could be dangerous and lead to conflict between bike users and pedestrians.

The government has now announced a feasibility study to work out the best way to change the design of the bikeway, which will pass through the casino development.

The investigation will consider whether an elevated section of the bikeway could be included in the upgrade.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the tender for the project would assess infrastructure options to allow bike riders to avoid the shared zone.

"Cyclists were understandably quizzical about how the integration would happen here," he said.

"When you have a lot of people here as pedestrians in a shared zone, when you've got bike riders coming through, sometimes at speed, as you can see, people come through here ordinarily with a fair bit of speed on.

"So we've got to make sure that safety is the number one priority."

However, when asked if the shared plaza would definitely go, Mr Bailey said he would not rule anything in or out.

"What I want to see is the best redesign options put on the table," he said.

The 4.5 kilometre-long bikeway, which runs from Toowong to the Goodwill Bridge, carries about 5000 cyclists and 1600 pedestrians each day.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Anne Savage said an elevated cycleway would promote safe bike riding and reduce traffic on the roads.

"If the cycleway proceeds it will provide a major boost for bike riding in the CBD, connecting the north and south through the heart of Brisbane and enhancing Brisbane's liveability," she said.

The study will begin in July and an initial feasibility report is expected in late October 2018.

Mr Bailey did not have a date for the potential works.

Brisbane City Council, Queen's Wharf and cycling groups will be consulted over the redesign.

The Queen's Wharf development is expected to be completed in 2022.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/RuthMcCosker/status/1018685233015635968

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Tenders called for key components of Brisbane's Queen's Wharf development

THE $3.6 billion Queen's Wharf development moves a step closer to reality today when calls go out for key contracts for the game-changing project for Brisbane.

The latest phase of the integrated resort project, scheduled to open in 2022, includes contracts for some of the most significant components of the development.

It includes tenders linked to construction of The Rosewood Hotel, The Dorsett Hotel, and a double-tower The Star-branded hotel beneath the sky deck – all part of the integrated casino resort development.

The main construction tender will also include the option of a residential tower of about 630 apartments, signalling strong confidence in the Brisbane housing market and demand for inner-city living.

When completed, the precinct will include 50 new bars, restaurants and cafes; multiple hotel and apartments towers; an underground retail mall; thousands of car park spaces; public open space equivalent to more than 12 football fields; and world-class gaming facilities.

The Star Entertainment Group managing director Matt Bekier said today's calls for submissions on the current tender phase was another significant step in the evolution of development.

"As the project moves through the various tender processes, the vision is coming closer to reality," he said.

"The Queen's Wharf development will transform Brisbane and deliver significant benefits, led by jobs, with 2000-plus during construction and 8000 once operational."

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Drilling works for new pedestrian bridge to begin at South Bank


Brisbane City Council wants the proposed Neville Bonner Bridge from the new casino and hotel complex to South Bank near the Wheel of Brisbane scrapped. Photo: Supplied.

Plans for a new pedestrian bridge across the Brisbane River are progressing, with boreholes to be drilled at South Bank in preparation for the bridge landing.

A $70 million bridge that would connect the Queen's Wharf casino complex to South Bank was proposed as part of the Destination Brisbane Consortium's $3 billion Queen's Wharf development.

From Wednesday, seven boreholes will be dug between the Clem Jones Promenade and the Wheel of Brisbane at South Bank, around the location of the future pedestrian bridge landing.

A spokesman for Destination Brisbane Consortium said the geotechnical investigations would be completed by the end of August and would inform the final bridge support system design.

Brisbane City Council's public and active transport chairman Adrian Schrinner has previously called for the bridge to be scrapped.

Cr Schrinner said $70 million was a waste of money for a bridge that serviced only pedestrians.

"In terms of geotechnical drilling, obviously that is preparation work they have to do and the council is still of the view there could be a much better solution for the city," he said.

Cr Schrinner said it was "fair and reasonable" for Neville Bonner to have a public asset named after him and proposed naming the council-supported, but not -funded, Kangaroo Point Bridge after Neville Bonner.

"Kangaroo Point Bridge could potentially be the new Neville Bonner Bridge," he said.

A spokeswoman for the State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Department said Economic Development Queensland's approval for Queen's Wharf Brisbane included the concept design for the pedestrian-only bridge.

"Economic Development Queensland will assess the detailed designs of the Neville Bonner Bridge once the application is lodged," the spokeswoman said.

"Economic Development Queensland has consulted with Brisbane City Council on multiple occasions since 2015 on the Queen's Wharf Brisbane project and the Neville Bonner Bridge.

"Council has provided three formal submissions during various planning and assessment phases since September 2015.

"None of these submissions raised any objections to the pedestrian-only Neville Bonner Bridge."

Cr Schrinner said the term objection was a technical one, and while the council had not said to stop the project, it had raised concerns.

"A formal objection is different to raising concerns and we have definitely raised concerns," he said.

The drilling will take place between 6.30am and 6.30pm, Monday to Saturday, from August 8 to August 22.

As the Queen's Wharf development progresses, the removal of material from the site at night will continue, with more than 170 trucks expect to exit the site six days a week.

Approval has now been given for the night haulage to run from 6.30am to 4am, Monday to Saturday, until August 2019.

This is two hours longer than the initial approval for the haulage, which began June 4.

The Destination Brisbane Consortium spokesman said that after the initial trial period for the night haulage, the works would continue running to relieve pressure on daytime traffic.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Brisbane deputy mayor says Neville Bonner Bridge to cost $50 million extra

BRISBANE'S deputy mayor says the budget for a proposed pedestrian bridge between Queen's Wharf and South Brisbane has blown out by $50 million and should be scrapped.

Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said industry sources told him tender documents for the Neville Bonner Bridge showed the estimated cost had risen from $70 million to $120 million.

The State Government did not refute the price rise but insisted the bridge was privately funded by the Destination Brisbane Consortium and would not cost taxpayers a cent.

Cr Schrinner said the bridge did not cater for cyclists, would interfere with CityCat routes and presented flooding issues.

He said the design should be fixed, or the bridge scrapped.

"As the design has progressed it's become clear that the public benefit is limited and it certainly wouldn't present good value for money at $120 million," he said.

"Regardless of who's paying for the bridge, whether it's Queen's Wharf Brisbane or the State Government, if there's $120 million for a bridge it should not be on the one proposed."

He said the final design plans should be released to the public and the procurement process put on hold until the council's concerns were addressed.

Bicycle Queensland chief executive officer Anne Savage said the bridge was not the solution to get more people walking and riding in Brisbane.

"If the Neville Bonner Bridge goes ahead, the people of Queensland will be poorer for it. We will be left with a white elephant for walking," she said.

She said the money would be better diverted to the proposed Kangaroo Point Green Bridge, which the State Government announced business case funding for just last week.

It is understood that if the State Government ordered a redesign for the bridge or breached its contract for Queen's Wharf Brisbane it could cost taxpayers millions.

Minister for Tourism Kate Jones said there was "no cost to the state whatsoever" and that the Deputy Mayor's words were "too little, too late".

"The bridge is privately funded by the (Destination Brisbane) Consortium under the agreement signed in 2015," she said.

"As part of the assessment process for the Plan of Development for Queen's Wharf Brisbane, that included the bridge, council provided three formal submissions and none of these submissions raised any formal objections to the Neville Bonner bridge."

Cr Schrinner agreed the council had not raised a formal objection to the Neville Bonner Bridge but it had consistently raised its concerns about the design with the State Government.

"These are issues we've been raising since last year and any suggestions it's news to them is simply false," he said.

An Economic Development Queensland spokeswoman said the approval of Queen's Wharf Brisbane in December 2017 included a concept plan for the pedestrian bridge.

She insisted maritime safety was "paramount" and the approval included a requirement to prepare a navigation study with the Regional Harbour Master and Brisbane City Council.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> River operators forced out again by controversial Brisbane bridge

Brisbane's leading river tourism operators could lose their inner-city pontoon when the controversial Neville Bonner Bridge is constructed.

Further, the privately-funded bridge is now expected to cost $50 million more than anticipated and require the removal of trees at South Bank parkland.

The pedestrian-only bridge, which would connect the casino and hotel complex to South Bank, has been proposed as part of Queen's Wharf Brisbane, but there have been continual calls from Brisbane City Council for it to be scrapped.
River tourism operators could lose their inner-city pontoon

As plans for the bridge progress, Fairfax Media understands, a pontoon at South Bank (Pontoon A) would be displaced by the construction of the bridge.

This pontoon is understood to cater for about 2000 vessel movements a year and is used by at least 10 tourism operators, including River City Cruises and Seadeck.

These operators could be displaced from October 2019.

River City Cruises operator Carolyn Timms said she was staying positive and hopeful the jetty would be relocated rather than demolished.

"That is the number one and only pick up location for charter boats on the Brisbane River in the city centre," she said.

"We need a berthing location in the CBD, there is no point building it as West End of New Farm."

This is not the first time Queen's Wharf Brisbane has forced the relocation of river services.

River City Cruises had to leave its moorings under the Riverside Expressway when the Destination Brisbane Consortium development started.

Ms Timms said all the development was fantastic for Brisbane but called for any infrastructure that was removed to be replaced.

"At this stage where we will be relocated to is a little unclear," she said.

"We are certainly very confident the Brisbane City Council will relocate it,"

A Destination Brisbane Consortium spokesman said the consortium was working closely with the Queensland government, South Bank Corporation and other stakeholders on the final design of the pedestrian bridge landing.

"The consortium will engage further with local stakeholders in the lead up to construction once the detailed design has been approved by EDQ (Economic Development Queensland)," he said.

A South Bank Corporation spokeswoman said it was still in discussions to the project proponents regarding pontoon A.

"The focus for South Bank Corporation is to optimise the landing point for business and visitors," she said.

"We will work to ensure stakeholders in and around the landing point experience minimal disruption during construction."
The cost blow out for the pedestrian-only bridge

The council's deputy mayor and public and active transport chairman Adrian Schrinner has renewed his calls for the bridge to be scrapped, citing an expected cost blow out as the latest reason.

It is understood the projected cost of the bridge has increased by about 70 per cent to $120 million.

Cr Schrinner said an estimated cost of more than $120 million is a big jump from the original anticipated cost of $70 million.

"The bridge was originally sold to the community as a public benefit ... it's becoming increasingly clear that the public benefit is limited," he said.

"If there was a $120 million or even a $70 million investment into a new bridge it would be a different bridge than what has been designed."

Bicycle Queensland chief executive Anne Savage has backed the council's calls for the bridge to be scrapped and urged the state and local government to work together on a solution.

"The Neville Bonner Bridge is not the solution we need to get more people walking and riding in Brisbane," Ms Savage said. "$120 million is a cost blow out of nearly 70 per cent, representing a poor investment of extremely low value."
Mature trees potentially lost to bridge landing

Preparation work for the South Bank bridge landing have begun with geotechnical drilling works underway.

It is understood the anticipated impact zone for the bridge in South Bank includes several large mature trees as well as public open space near the Wheel of Brisbane.

Cr Schrinner said any impacts on Brisbane's biggest and most important tourist attraction was something to be mindful of.

Innovation and Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the council provided three formal submissions as part of the assessment process for the plan for development for Queen's Wharf Brisbane and none raised a formal objection to the Neville Bonner Bridge.

"This is too little, too late from the deputy mayor," she said.

Cr Schrinner has previously said a formal objection was different from raising concerns, and the council had raised concerns.

The South Bank Corporation spokeswoman said the bridge contractor, Destination Brisbane Consortium, was responsible to offset any vegetation removed.

"South Bank Corporation policy is to implement a six to one offset program," she said.

Destination Brisbane Consortium did not respond to specific questions asked by Fairfax Media about the removal of mature trees and displacement of pontoon A to make way for the bridge landing.

[James]

I'm starting to get a little worried about how this bridge is going to turn out as well. I hope it can serve as a useful link between William St/George St and South Bank, rather than just a way to funnel people from South Bank into the casino.

The Goodwill Bridge is actually quite a way along the river, and with the poor PT links, it makes accessing Parliament from South Bank rather difficult, particularly given you can see it from the other side of the river.

[BrizCommuter]

The bridge will be very much required. Seems like BCC playing silly political games.

[JustSomeTrainGuy]

I'm hoping for at least a redesign so it's not as much of an eyesore as the current design. But if designing an eyesore is what they're going for, it'll fit in nicely with 1 William St 

[brissypete]

I do think that the bridge being bike free is a great idea unless there was to be full physical segregation. All the speeding cyclists who don't ring their bells weaving in and out of what is likely to be a significant volume of pedestrians would be a recipe for accidents.

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