Albion station development

[ozbob]

Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh

Monday, November 05, 2007

$280 MILLION ALBION DEVELOPMENT ON TRACK

The State Government and developer FKP have cleared the final hurdle in the plan to transform a 1.3ha site at Albion into a modern $280 million village-inspired community based on the railway station.

Premier Anna Bligh said the $280 million Mill Albion project would be a showcase for Transit Oriented Development, which incorporates the best of sub-tropical urban design with housing and commercial development linked to major public transport centres.

The Government this week confirmed to the Brisbane City Council that agreement had been reached with FKP to build a multimillion-dollar footbridge to the railway station, the final component needed for the development to proceed.

Designed by award-winning architect Richard Kirk, the development will preserve the heritage-listed former Defiance Flour Mill and its silos, using them as the focal point for a mix of residential and retail buildings linked by public plazas and community spaces.

Mill Albion will replace an existing car yard and the railway station's park and ride, and provide parking for more than 600 vehicles.

"It will transform what is not a particularly attractive area into a first-class precinct providing a vibrant place where people can live, work and socialise only eight minutes? train ride from the City,? Ms Bligh.

?The development preserves a part of Queensland?s history while offering a blueprint for the future.?

FKP are designing the office component to achieve a "5 star, Green Star'' certification by the Green Bulding Council of Australia. The Mill's design will also incorporate recycled timber and bricks from the current site.

The Mill will incorporate approximately 20,000 sqm of commercial office space, 143 apartments and 5000 sqm of retail space.

Office space will be incorporated in two buildings, a 12-storey (14,359 sqm), corporate office building and five-storey, campus-style (5,246 sqm) building.

The one, two and three-bedroom units will be in three buildings - two new purpose-built buildings and the renovated flour mill, which will incorporate 11 apartments.

The ground floor retail space will include cafes and restaurants, a major supermarket, medical centre, newsagency, deli, bakery and grocers.

Ms Bligh said TODs were an integral component of the Government's strategy to keep ahead of growth.

"The South East Queensland Regional Plan, will ensure the region's growth is sustainably managed and that our lifestyle is preserved.

"The plan protects more than 80 per cent of the region's open spaces from development-the very qualities that make SEQ one Australia's best places to live.

'Still, we will need to accommodate one million more people in the region by 2026. This population growth and the trend towards smaller household sizes means we will need around 575,000 new dwellings in the next 20 years.

"To stop urban sprawl from swallowing our remaining open spaces, the SEQ Regional Plan proposes that nearly half of the new dwellings be built in established urban areas.

?About 115,000 of the additional 145,000 dwellings needed in Brisbane by 2026 will be achieved by ?infill development? in established urban areas.?

[Derwan]

Premier Anna Bligh said the $280 million Mill Albion project would be a showcase for Transit Oriented Development, which incorporates the best of sub-tropical urban design with housing and commercial development linked to major public transport centres.

The Government this week confirmed to the Brisbane City Council that agreement had been reached with FKP to build a multimillion-dollar footbridge to the railway station, the final component needed for the development to proceed.

Mill Albion will replace an existing car yard and the railway station's park and ride, and provide parking for more than 600 vehicles.

"It will transform what is not a particularly attractive area into a first-class precinct providing a vibrant place where people can live, work and socialise only eight minutes? train ride from the City,? Ms Bligh.

As you can see, large emphasis of this announcement is that the development is right beside Albion Railway Station.

With this and other "Transit Oriented Developments" (e.g. Toombul) aimed at utilising the public transport network - namely the train station it's built beside - it becomes even more important to ensure that an efficient inner-suburban rail network is in place - one that takes into consideration the increased patronage that these developments will cause.

It reinforces our suggestion of having an "inner city" service - otherwise I feel sorry for residents of this new development attempting to board city-bound services in the morning.

[Derwan]

Work has commenced on this project - with temporary fences erected around the old Flour Mill and machinery visible inside.  I also saw a drilling truck in the car park, presumably checking the foundations for the upward expansion.

[ozbob]

Article at Brisbanetimes click here!

Albion Mill set for $280m transformation
Shannon Molloy | January 25, 2008

The inner-northern suburb of Albion is set for an urban transformation, as early work begins on a $280 million mixed-use development next to the local railway station ...  more click here!

[Derwan]

Work has commenced on this project.

It has now been a year since work commenced.  Unfortunately all that has happened is the demolition of old structures over a couple of weeks.  The bits to be retained and bare dirt have been sitting there as an eyesore for almost a year.

One wonders what the hold-up is.

[ButFli]

In the current economic climate one wonders how the finance for this project is sitting. While I am sure that this was not the original reason for the delay it might mean the project is abandoned. It must be tempting to call it quits now and leave a clean slate than have to leave a half-finished development later on.

[Derwan]

With the fire "conveniently" destroying the old mill building, I wonder if this indicates that construction isn't too far away?

It's been 6 years since this TOD was announced.

[red dragin]

With the fire "conveniently" destroying the old mill building, I wonder if this indicates that construction isn't too far away?

Interesting that I wasn't the only one with this same thought.

The project has been launched a few times from what I have noticed. An artist rendition with what looks like a new design has gone up in the past few months.

[BribieG]

With the current mob in Charge in QLD wouldn't it have been simpler just to call in the Deen brothers? Then you would know that the good old days have truly returned.

[Derwan]

Relating to the development around Albion:

https://secure.publicworks.qld.gov.au/etender/tender/display/tender-details.do?id=12062&action=display-tender-details

The State is seeking the involvement of the private sector to redevelop Albion Train Station Precinct (ATSP) and is calling for Expressions of Interest (EOIs) from suitably qualified and experienced Proponents. The successful Proponent will participate by improving access to Abion Train Station, consolidating commuter park'n'ride infrastructure and taking on the redevelopment opportunities presented by approximately 4.4 hectares of surplus TMR property.

The opportunity is available to organisations with experience in medium to large-scale mixed-use development and construction of transport infrastrucutre. The successful Proponent will need to:

• design and construct a mixed-use development on the Site reflecting TOD principles, particularly integration with Albion Train Station and the wider local area
• work with the State to design improved Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) compliant access to Albion Train Station and construct at no cost to the State
• work with the State to optimise the design and location of commuter car parking (to ensure no net loss of park'n'ride) and undertake construction of the necessary works at no cost to the State
• work with the State to design the section of North Brisbane Bikeway through the precinct and construct at no cost to the State.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Albion train station to be revamped in precinct redevelopment

[Derwan]

With so much development alongside the rail line, I'm worried about whether it will allow for future expansion to 5 or 6 tracks!

[pandmaster]

With so much development alongside the rail line, I'm worried about whether it will allow for future expansion to 5 or 6 tracks!

I agree. With the additional BaT/CRR traffic which will make the Bowen Hills bottleneck even worse (I am on trains from Albion all the time that have to stop due to Ferny Grove trains at the platforms), increased traffic due to MBRL and possible future HSR or dedicated freight corridors, additional tracks will probably be needed in the future. The Valley to Bowen Hills needs upgrading to six tracks now which would probably need to be extended further north one day.

Why "low density" in Albion? This is as good a spot as any for Transit-Oriented Development.

[SurfRail]

Between Strathpine and the City is the wrong place to be putting more tracks on the same route.  New capacity needs to be created in a more useful way by making use of Trouts Rd and feeding into BAT.

[James]

Between Strathpine and the City is the wrong place to be putting more tracks on the same route.  New capacity needs to be created in a more useful way by making use of Trouts Rd and feeding into BAT.

6 tracks Central - Eagle Junction will be required one day. One track pair for Airport/Doomben, one track pair for Shorncliffe, and one for Strathpine trains. That being said, the Airport line will probably need to be duplicated Airport Junction - International Terminal, Doomben line to the terminus and Shorncliffe line to terminus by then.

If you stick with the 4, especially between Central and Bowen Hills, you are effectively wasting platform capacity at Roma St and Central. The plan above effectively future-proofs Brisbane's northern/north-eastern rail network (10tph each for Airport/Doomben and 20tph each for Shorncliffe/Strathpine). You won't need another track amplification there for another 100 years.

Maybe you could get away with the status quo and 6 tracks only between Central and Bowen Hills if you killed the Doomben line and made sure you had no more than 8tph going to the Airport.

[Derwan]

Between Strathpine and the City is the wrong place to be putting more tracks on the same route.  New capacity needs to be created in a more useful way by making use of Trouts Rd and feeding into BAT.

I agree but the BaT Tunnel will NOT have stubs for the connection to Trouts Rd corridor.  This effectively rules out a connection to the BaT Tunnel. (You cannot tunnel into/from an active train tunnel.)  What we MIGHT see one day is a connection from Trouts Rd Corridor to a western train tunnel.

With the "can't happens" and the "maybes", it's better to be safe than sorry - and allow for expansion should it be needed.... OR... plan now for the future and set it in stone BEFORE we start building adjacent to existing rail corridors.

[Derwan]

Why "low density" in Albion? This is as good a spot as any for Transit-Oriented Development.

Yeah that's crazy.  The local plan needs to change before development can occur.

From the documentation:

The State's objectives for redevelopment of the ATSP are to:

• improve pedestrian access to Albion Train Station and in particular, achieve DDA compliance
• achieve innovative design solutions that integrate effectively with Albion Train Station and the wider community
• optimise and consolidate commuter car parking for Albion Train Station to improve on the currently fragmented provision of park'n'ride
• effectively accommodate the planned North Brisbane Bikeway within the precinct
• maximise the development potential of surplus state-owned land in the precinct and ensure an appropriate financial outcome for the State on sale or lease of property.
• achieve the above precinct improvements, including new or replacement infrastructure, with no net loss or cost to the State.

(I bolded the last one.)

So the developer has to pay for all of the improvements and in return they make money off of the development.  Will that really be possible with a low-density development?

Also - look at the logic of it.  For a train station located so close to the city, it would be inconceivable to build 1 or 2-storey dwellings as part of a major development project!

[Gazza]

I agree but the BaT Tunnel will NOT have stubs for the connection to Trouts Rd corridor.  This effectively rules out a connection to the BaT Tunnel

You could do a connection to BaT, but it just wont be as direct as what was originally planned since the connection will be occuring above the surface.

[#Metro]

So the developer has to pay for all of the improvements and in return they make money off of the development.  Will that really be possible with a low-density development?

It is a really stupid concept. LOW DENSITY are they nuts? Land parcels like this in the inner city are hard to come by.

The people who move into those units are going to be paying duties etc to the state government anyway and council rates etc. Far better source than upfront payment for all the public razamatazz.

Let's hope they actually put in a decent cross platform bus interchange rather than just sex up the car park.

[SurfRail]

Between Strathpine and the City is the wrong place to be putting more tracks on the same route.  New capacity needs to be created in a more useful way by making use of Trouts Rd and feeding into BAT.

6 tracks Central - Eagle Junction will be required one day. One track pair for Airport/Doomben, one track pair for Shorncliffe, and one for Strathpine trains. That being said, the Airport line will probably need to be duplicated Airport Junction - International Terminal, Doomben line to the terminus and Shorncliffe line to terminus by then.

If you stick with the 4, especially between Central and Bowen Hills, you are effectively wasting platform capacity at Roma St and Central. The plan above effectively future-proofs Brisbane's northern/north-eastern rail network (10tph each for Airport/Doomben and 20tph each for Shorncliffe/Strathpine). You won't need another track amplification there for another 100 years.

Maybe you could get away with the status quo and 6 tracks only between Central and Bowen Hills if you killed the Doomben line and made sure you had no more than 8tph going to the Airport.

I agree with literally none of this, sorry.

[SurfRail]

I agree but the BaT Tunnel will NOT have stubs for the connection to Trouts Rd corridor.  This effectively rules out a connection to the BaT Tunnel

You could do a connection to BaT, but it just wont be as direct as what was originally planned since the connection will be occuring above the surface.

Actually the connection was meant to be at Victoria Park with CRR.  The BaT team did indicate stubs at Roma St were desirable but not practical to achieve for various reasons, which I agree with.  There shouldn't be a massive issue with this and it means you can have a station in the inner north blackhole.

[pandmaster]

So the developer has to pay for all of the improvements and in return they make money off of the development.  Will that really be possible with a low-density development?

It is a really stupid concept. LOW DENSITY are they nuts? Land parcels like this in the inner city are hard to come by.

The people who move into those units are going to be paying duties etc to the state government anyway and council rates etc. Far better source than upfront payment for all the public razamatazz.

Let's hope they actually put in a decent cross platform bus interchange rather than just sex up the car park.

I live at Wooloowin and it is ridiculous how low the density is around here and Albion. It is a ten minute trip to Central with huge frequency. Compare this to suburbs in the same radius in Sydney and Melbourne.

It works well for me though. Almost always a seat on the train and student-friendly rent!

[pandmaster]

Why "low density" in Albion? This is as good a spot as any for Transit-Oriented Development.

Yeah that's crazy.  The local plan needs to change before development can occur.

From the documentation:

The State's objectives for redevelopment of the ATSP are to:

• improve pedestrian access to Albion Train Station and in particular, achieve DDA compliance
• achieve innovative design solutions that integrate effectively with Albion Train Station and the wider community
• optimise and consolidate commuter car parking for Albion Train Station to improve on the currently fragmented provision of park'n'ride
• effectively accommodate the planned North Brisbane Bikeway within the precinct
• maximise the development potential of surplus state-owned land in the precinct and ensure an appropriate financial outcome for the State on sale or lease of property.
• achieve the above precinct improvements, including new or replacement infrastructure, with no net loss or cost to the State.

(I bolded the last one.)

So the developer has to pay for all of the improvements and in return they make money off of the development.  Will that really be possible with a low-density development?

Also - look at the logic of it.  For a train station located so close to the city, it would be inconceivable to build 1 or 2-storey dwellings as part of a major development project!

Where did you get this from? I could not get any information without registering as a prospective applicant for government tenders.

[BrizCommuter]

(You cannot tunnel into/from an active train tunnel.)

Well, you can, but it would involve a very length shutdown of train services between Roma St and Exhibition (BaT).

[Derwan]

Where did you get this from? I could not get any information without registering as a prospective applicant for government tenders.

Yeah I'm registered.  All you need is an ABN.

[pandmaster]

Where did you get this from? I could not get any information without registering as a prospective applicant for government tenders.

Yeah I'm registered.  All you need is an ABN.

Marvellous. I have an ABN so I will register. This whole process is not very transparent... 

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Albion Mill silos demolished to make way for apartment development

[pandmaster]

When the EOI was first released I sent Mr. Emerson an e-mail and received the entire EOI document in the mail. I never got around to reading it but I came across it after moving and had a look through it today. It was quite a nice surprise but it made me wonder why the document was not available for free online anyway. Quite a lack of transparency. Fingers crossed an interested developer wants to go high density.

I think the state are selling themselves short. They want the developer to pay to bring the station up to DDA compliance, consolidate the car parks (presumably through a new multi-storey carpark where the existing one is, perhaps even with a direct link to the Albion Overpass) with no net loss of spaces and fund a bikeway through the site. Since the developer is getting heaps of prime real estate next to one of the best-served stations in the network, I think they should have gone for an increase in car parking spaces and a full upgrade of the station while they are at it (or departure boards at the very least: try finding the next train to the city). It is only fair since the developer will benefit immensely from the train station.

http://imgur.com/a/wlTx5#3

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> What will Albion look like in 15 years? It's time to have your say


An artist's impression of the Albion train station redevelopment.

PLANS for the $750 million Albion train station revamp will soon be revealed.

Brisbane developers Geon Property, which will be delivering the State Government-designated Transport Orientated Development of the 4ha site, has been visiting community groups and residents to discuss the 15-year, 10-stage project.

A public consultation session will be held at the Windsor Bowls Club on September 15 at 9am-noon.

Information about the session states the company has finalised Stage One plans and will submit them to Brisbane City Council "in early September".

"While the design of the masterplan is still evolving, Geon Property would like to ideas around potential new uses for the precinct," the information states.

"The proposed $750 million Albion Train Station Precinct Redevelopment project is located just 4.5 kilometres from Brisbane's CBD, and includes Albion's train station precinct bordered by Mawarra St, and Albion and Hudson Rds.

"Stage One is the largest stage, involving the development of two residential towers over a commercial and retail podium. This stage incorporates a 4900 sqm green, public plaza connecting Albion Rd, food and beverage tenancies, outdoor dining opportunities, health and wellbeing uses together with a $28.7 million upgrade to transport facilities and access to the Albion Train Station.

The project website states that it's "a vibrant new heart for Albion".

"Geon Property is excited to share our vision for a vibrant and revitalised Albion Train Station precinct. Our plans feature brand new connections through and around the rail station, including a new over-rail podium — a type of green bridge — connecting the area from Hudson Road with Albion Road and Mawarra Street.

"We will also develop new housing and lifestyle facilities including restaurants and bars, fitness studios and much more. We have begun speaking with our neighbours and the community about our plans."

The company says the site will have:

10 stages delivered over 15 years

Encompassing about 4ha of land

Integration with the future North Brisbane Bikeway

Provision of social infrastructure

Facilities that support transport and employment nodes

Recreational activities that complement the transport-oriented setting

Use of transitional heights to protect residential neighbourhood

"While the design of the masterplan is still evolving, Geon Property would like to ideas around potential new uses for the precinct."

The public consultation session will be on Saturday, September 15, 9am-noon, Windsor Bowls Club, 69 Blackmore St, Windsor.

Info: albionredevelopment.com.au

albionproject@bbscommunications.com.au

Phone: 3210 7790
.

Earlier this year, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said an agreement had been signed with Geon Property to revitalise the Albion site through a Transit Oriented Development (TOD).

In March, Mr Bailey said the 15-year, 3.5ha project would integrate Albion train station with nearby commercial and residential buildings and vacant land "to deliver an exciting community asset".

Geon Property Managing Director Ben Griffin said the TOD would include a "seamless" mix of apartment living, retail, food and beverage outlets and public open spaces.

Mr Bailey said the Albion Train Station Precinct Redevelopment would also include an upgrade to transport facilities and access to the Albion train station intended to revitalise the suburb of Albion and surrounding community.

He said the project would complement planning currently underway by Queensland Rail for an accessibility upgrade of Albion train station in 2019.

He said that upgrade would include new platform access with lifts, raised platform sections providing improved assisted boarding points, and other accessibility features such as hearing aid loops, signage and tactile flooring surfaces.

"Construction on the accessibility upgrade is ... expected to start in late 2019," Mr Bailey said.

The developers will:

■ Design and construct a mixed-use TOD integrated with Albion Train Station and the wider area

■ Work with the state to design improved Disability Discrimination Act 1992 (Cth) compliant access to Albion Train Station and construct

■ Work with the state to optimise the design and location of commuter carparking (to ensure no net loss of park'n'ride numbers) and undertake construction of the necessary works

■ Integrate with a section of North Brisbane Bikeway through the precinct

After the March announcement, LNP Member for Clayfield Tim Nicholls called on the State Government to ­release more detail of the Transport Oriented Development (TOD) proposed for Albion. Mr Nicholls said there was a noticeable "lack of detail" around the plan and its impacts on residents.

"The issues are going to be in relation to carparking ­because the Albion area is already short of carparking," Mr Nicholls said.

He said the plan also ­conflicted with the cutting of 42 rail services a day to the station.

"Buses are now being used and they're clogging local streets," he said.

"The first thing to do is to make sure your railway ­services are working ­properly."

Mr Nicholls said he was also unsure whether Brisbane City Council or the State Government would ­approve plans, which he said would impact the say the community could have over the proposal.

[SurfRail]

The artists seem to think Auckland Transport will be providing our services by then.

[ozbob]

^

[James]

The artists seem to think Auckland Transport will be providing our services by then.

Perhaps we'll manage to have trains running more than every 30 minutes then?

[SurfRail]

I'm thinking by then the network will only need Pukekohe levels of service.

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Albion Exchange a game-changer for the city's inner-north

IT'S full steam ahead for the reinvention of Brisbane's railway stations and yards.

With a development application lodged for its first stage, striking new concept images of the city's latest transit oriented project have been unveiled, along with its official name.

To be known as Albion Exchange, the $750 million, 10-stage development is touted as a game-changer for the city's inner-north.

It is one of a number of State Government initiatives heralding a new era of redevelopment for the Brisbane's under-utilised railway holdings and adjoining sites.

The end of the city's train line at Ferny Grove is also on track for a major transport, retail and residential project and the CBD's Roma St rail yards are earmarked for the new Brisbane Live! entertainment district.

Community consultation on the future masterplan for the Albion precinct, to be developed by Geon Property, is to begin shortly.

Stage one sits immediately south and above the existing Albion train station.

Designed by Hames Sharley, it features two residential towers, a new food and beverage destination, state-of-the-art health and wellbeing offerings and boutique convenience retail.

Together with a $28.7 million upgrade of transport facilities and access to the Albion train station, the proposal lodged with Brisbane City Council also includes 4900sq m of new green open space and a public plaza connecting the east and west of Albion Rd.

If approved, construction will begin in early 2020.

Senior development manager Tim Rossberg said Geon Property had been working in conjunction with Queensland Rail and the Department of Main Roads on the vision for Albion Exchange for two years.

Mr Rossberg said the project — spanning about 4ha — would create a vibrant community heart for the inner-northern suburbs.

He said more than 65 per cent of stage one would be dedicated to public space.

"Albion Exchange will change the face of Albion for the better," Mr Rossberg said. "It will bring new life to land which is currently under-utilised.

"Albion is a suburb on the rise. It is one of the fastest-growing areas in Brisbane and by 2036 the suburb's population is estimated to grow by more than 3857 residents."

"This is a unique inner-city development which will further the suburb's modernisation as well as revitalise its heart and soul by creating an energised and connected destination."

[#Metro]

Will there be bike parking in the TOD car park?
How will the bus access?

[HappyTrainGuy]

Will there be bike parking in the TOD car park?
How will the bus access?

There is no bus access. Sandgate road and McLennan street are the closest they get. Something to do with the bus vs train mentality. And the reason for the lack of car parking is because of people wanting a short trip to the city and no pt to the station. Something of which is happening across the entire Brisbane PT network from buses to trains.

[verbatim9]

When is this development likely to take place? Or has construction started already?

Interesting fly through ---> https://albionexchange.com.au/vision/

[ozbob]

Albion train station will get a makeover to support future interchange demand in Brisbane's inner north 👍 Rebuilt and...

Posted by Bart Mellish MP on Sunday 25 August 2024

[#Metro]

What bus access measures will be in place for this "interchange"?

[HappyTrainGuy]

None. It's rail interchange related for CRR. Anyway if there was a bus interchange with existing services expect to add 5-10 minutes to the trip journey of 306/322 due to the road layout. Come to think of it I think you would struggle with buses even trying to rejoin Sandgate road to head north.