Premier Statement: SOUTH BANK EXPANSION - A NEW VISION FOR OUR RIVER CITY

[ozbob]

Premier and Minister for Reconstruction
The Honourable Anna Bligh

12/02/2012
SOUTH BANK EXPANSION - A NEW VISION FOR OUR RIVER CITY

Premier Anna Bligh has announced an inspiring new vision for the expansion of South Bank to make Brisbane the world's most people-friendly river city.

Ms Bligh said the government had spent six months planning an extended South Bank to form a 5km recreational river strip that runs from the Story Bridge to Hockings Street.

"We have a vision that can make the Queensland capital one of the most people-friendly river cities in the world," said the Premier.

"Queensland is famous for quality of life and what better place to celebrate our lifestyle than in the centre of our capital city on the banks of the Brisbane River?

"We are on the cusp of unprecedented prosperity in Queensland and our job is to guide private investment in ways that can benefit all Queenslanders.

"The South Bank Corporation has done an outstanding job. They have shown that you can create world-class recreational areas for the public and use commercial and residential developments to offset the costs.

"We don't want to lose that expertise now the original South Bank is more or less finished.

"Just like the original South Bank this next stage will evolve over a 15 to 20 year period as the area of the entire precinct expands by 27 hectares - from 42 hectares to 69 hectares."

Premier Bligh said the vision for the South Bank expansion includes:

    South Bank Corporation to become responsible for the area along the river stretching from the Goodwill Bridge to Hockings Street.

    New riverfront parklands to be established, to include expanded green space, a Olympic sized pool and aquatic play area, picnic and BBQ areas in addition to art spaces, markets and a retail and dining precinct.

    Hope Street and Montague Road to become vibrant destinations, similar to James Street (Fortitude Valley) and Little Stanley Street (South Brisbane).

    A major new cultural institution to be built, possibly a national Indigenous museum.

    New commercial and residential buildings to offset the costs of new public infrastructure.

    Queensland Government to acquire land currently owned by industry.

"Through World Expo 88 and its great legacy, South Bank transformed Brisbane from a big country town into a vibrant capital city," said the Premier.

"Now we want to deliver a major expansion, creating new parkland and public spaces stretching upstream around the Brisbane River."

The Premier said the Government expected existing industry in the area to relocate to more suitable sites.

"We will work with Parmalat, the largest landowner in the area, to seek to acquire their land to deliver a significant expansion of riverside parkland and places for public recreation," said the Premier.

"We expect these new facilities and parklands can be delivered at no cost to taxpayers because they will be offset through the redevelopment potential of the landholdings in much the same way that the original Southbank was developed."

The Premier said that GOMA and the Queensland Art Gallery would become the geographical and cultural centre of a river playground unique in the world.

"In no other inner city precinct can you swim at a beach, eat at great restaurants, see the world's best artworks and soak up river breezes and vistas all within a short stroll in a vehicle-free area," she said.

"There are so many options for how this space could be used. High priority would be given to glorious green space but other new facilities could include a riverside pool and aquatic play area.

"Given the importance of Kurilpa Point to Brisbane's traditional owners, a new cultural institution highlighting Indigenous culture could be developed.

"And areas in need of revitalisation like Montague Road and Hope Street could be transformed into vibrant urban areas like Little Stanley Street or James Street with creative spaces and markets complemented by residential, office and retail development."

https://govportal.ministerial.qld.gov.au/index.cfm?content=southbank2

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Bligh plans big stretch for South Bank

[#Metro]

This is a big, decent plan.

[O_128]

This is a big, decent plan.

Its good for us and ms Blighs electorate 

[Mr X]

I wonder if they can actually afford the Parmalat site though?

[ozbob]

From the Brisbanetimes click here!

South Bank 2 will cost Queenslanders: LNP

South Bank 2 will cost Queenslanders: LNP
February 12, 2012 - 12:20PM

Queenslanders should not believe Labor's plan to extend public space on Brisbane River will be cost-neutral, the opposition says.

Queensland Premier Anna Bligh on Sunday announced South Bank 2 - a plan to eventually extend the popular parkland beyond the Gallery of Modern Art (GoMA).

The new space would possibly feature a major new cultural institution such as a national indigenous museum, an Olympic swimming pool, more parklands, shops and restaurants.
Advertisement: Story continues below

It would be made possible by a land swap deal or phased buy-back with the major landowner, milk company Parmalat.

Ms Bligh said the company's five year plan was to move to a site with better freight routes, and the parties were already in talks.

"This can all be done on a cost-neutral basis," she told reporters in Brisbane on Sunday.

"Developing some parts of the site as commercial and residential buildings, using the profits from that to plough into green space, people space.

"This is a very exciting idea."

But Liberal National Party deputy leader Tim Nicholls said taxpayers should not believe the plan will be cost-neutral.

He said it wasn't the first time plans to develop the space had been announced, and voters should beware an unfunded plan.

"The Parmalat site is rumoured to be worth up to $100 million, and that will have to be found in a budget that already has a dodgy surplus," Ms Nicholls said.

He says the plan was also aimed at shoring up votes in the premier's electorate, and beautifying an area where she owns investment properties, and the ALP also owns land.

"Is this (plan) being dusted off to improve values for Labor and its mates?" Mr Nicholls said.

Ms Bligh admitted she'd long wanted to expand South Bank.

In contrast, she claimed the LNP would abolish the South Bank Corporation, losing its expertise at master planning big public spaces.

South Bank is best known for hosting Expo 88.

South Bank 2 would evolve over 15 years and extend the space to a 5km stretch.

AAP

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/south-bank-2-will-cost-queenslanders-lnp-20120212-1sz9d.html

[mufreight]

Premier Bligh attempting to ensure that she retains her seat by moving residents out to replace their accomodation with parkland and no voters.
Smells like pork to me.

[Fares_Fair]

Her seat is South Brisbane, must be an incredible co-incidence, and it means that you do not need to provide significant infrastructure for a parkland apart from a toilet block or two.

[newbris]

Premier Bligh attempting to ensure that she retains her seat by moving residents out to replace their accomodation with parkland and no voters.
Smells like pork to me.

?

Is she not replacing factories with residential apartments?

Apart from the election timing, there is no need to pork barrel as she is currently polling with a huge margin and this is the most logical spot for it. Would be more suspicious if they put it in my electorate of Ashgrove

[Mr X]

Premier Bligh attempting to ensure that she retains her seat by moving residents out to replace their accomodation with parkland and no voters.
Smells like pork to me.

Because Anna Bligh is totally going to get a 15% swing away from her personally?  It is far more likely for the Greens to overtake the LNP in votes than for the LNP to win the seat.

I like this South Bank 2 idea. That part of South Brisbane is just disgusting and this will truly fix it up. This isn't a new idea though, I've heard of plans before for high density residential in the Kurilpa area, especially with GoMA and the Kurilpa Bridge going in.  

[SurfRail]

I wonder if they can actually afford the Parmalat site though?

It refers to a land swap as being one of the options, so Parmalat would relocate their operations to what would be presently government-owned land elsewhere in the city (and presumably get the government to fork out for their moving out).

[Fares_Fair]

What's the total cost to do all of this?
Does it exceed the $300m needed for the Beerburrum to Landsborough rail duplication?

Regards,
Fares_Fair.

[#Metro]

It refers to a land swap as being one of the options, so Parmalat would relocate their operations to what would be presently government-owned land elsewhere in the city (and presumably get the government to fork out for their moving out).

Pinkenba or Acacia Ridge would seem suitable for this operation. Hopefully the CityGlider will be re-routed to stop in the bends there.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Parmalat reassures employees after South Bank bombshell

[Golliwog]

To me this makes sense. The existing Southbank commercial and residential development is great, and is a natural expansion of the CBD. I think giving the southbank corporation a new area to do up is a great idea if it ends up anything like the existing area.

As for claiming its pork barreling, the timing of the announcement may be, but the location is where you would want it to be.