Article: Council set to approve BOQ's city fringe move

[ozbob]

From the  Brisbanetimes click here!

Council set to approve BOQ's city fringe move

Council set to approve BOQ's city fringe move
May 22, 2012 - 3:00AM

Brisbane City Council will this morning approve a new $180 million headquarters at Newstead, forming part of a $1.1 billion inner-city business park.

BOQ announced in March it would move its headquarters out of the CBD to the Newstead Riverpark, where developers FKP have designed its Gaslands project, part of the 17-hectare Newstead Riverpark residential and business complex.

The council's neighbourhood planning committee is likely to recommend approval of the building to next Tuesday's full council meeting.
Advertisement: Story continues below

FKP's Gasworks project is set over three parcels of riverside land at Newstead and includes residential blocks, office towers, restaurants and parkland on the riverside business park.

It is understood BOQ plans to occupy over 12,000 square metres of the 10-storey office tower on Longland Street and move in 1000 staff by July 2014.

In March, FKP executive director Mark Jewell said the bank's decision to move to the edge of the city recognised an emerging trend in Brisbane.

"Businesses increasingly recognise that basing themselves on the fringe of the CBD provides major benefits such as better car parking for employees and visitors, bigger floor plates, easier access, campus style buildings and state-of-the-art design," Mr Jewell said.

"BOQ will join our other newly committed commercial and retail tenants such as Woolworths and James Street markets, making The Gasworks the integrated destination precinct FKP envisages it to be."

The council approved the master-plan stage of The Gasworks in 2010.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said the inner-city urban village would have his approval when it came to the full council next week, if it satisfied this morning's committee meeting.

"I support sustainable development in the right places and this building is an essential part of my plan to not only generate immediate construction jobs and business, but support future employment as well," he said.

Cr Quirk said the building, with 221 proposed car spaces, would provide commercial and retail space needed to support Newstead's urban renewal and future residential growth.

Council opposition leader Milton Dick said Labor agreed this part of the city needed redevelopment, but that development needed to be sensitive.

"I want to make sure that the public transport and car parking planning is considered as part of the application," he said.

"I will be running a fine tooth comb over the project."

Cr Dick said the project began in 2009 and said it was time that the final stages came to the council for consideration.

The Newstead Riverpark includes a one-hectare lake and five hectares of parklands.

Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/business/property/council-set-to-approve-boqs-city-fringe-move-20120521-1z15p.html

[achiruel]

I'm wondering why they need more car parking considering the CityGlider stops not too far away?

[WTN]

Plus not to mention anyone driving from the Southside will probably face congestion as they pass through the CBD or Story Bridge.

[somebody]

I'm wondering why they need more car parking considering the CityGlider stops not too far away?

Perhaps some people aren't on that route, or the 300 route?

You would never want to put a business there if people liked PT in this town.

[Golliwog]

It's not far at all from the Teneriffe ferry terminal either, and the 393 would get you across from Bowen Hills/RBWH. Though the change from the current 4bph to 3bph won't help make that attractive.

[achiruel]

Perhaps some people aren't on that route, or the 300 route?

You would never want to put a business there if people liked PT in this town.

Here's a novel thought: They could transfer! 

[somebody]

Perhaps some people aren't on that route, or the 300 route?

You would never want to put a business there if people liked PT in this town.

Here's a novel thought: They could transfer! 

Because passengers love that?

I reckon you are going to find take up of PT at this site below 50%.

[HappyTrainGuy]

People should harden up and learn that buses can't be providing one trip journeys everywhere. But this is Brisbane home fo the one trip bus route

[somebody]

People should harden up and learn that buses can't be providing one trip journeys everywhere. But this is Brisbane home fo the one trip bus route

No, it's the home of public transport which does not meet intending users needs.

[SurfRail]

People should harden up and learn that buses can't be providing one trip journeys everywhere. But this is Brisbane home fo the one trip bus route

No, it's the home of public transport which does not meet intending users needs.

Come on.  Name any Australian city that does.

[somebody]

Melbourne are improving.

[ozbob]

[#Metro]

Come on.  Name any Australian city that does

Perth.

[Arnz]

Hear hear!  Any user can't expect a Helidon to Cleveland one seat rocket maglev bus, nor a Coolangatta to Maroochydore one seat journey either (okay that's bad examples), perhaps I should say Mitchelton to UQ or Bracken Ridge to Garden City for example.   It basically would increase operating costs, not really practical and would just add to congestion on existing infrastructure.

[SurfRail]

Come on.  Name any Australian city that does

Perth.

Unless you want to travel after 7pm.  (Mind you, it is Perth.  )

[#Metro]

Hear hear!  Any user can't expect a Helidon to Cleveland one seat rocket maglev bus, nor a Coolangatta to Maroochydore one seat journey either (okay that's bad examples), perhaps I should say Mitchelton to UQ or Bracken Ridge to Garden City for example.   It basically would increase operating costs, not really practical and would just add to congestion on existing infrastructure.
« Last Edit: Today at 06:58:16 PM by Arnz »

There is always Car Rapid Transit (CRT) which does this.

[achiruel]

Simply put, it is ridiculous to have a bus from everywhere to Newstead.

However it is NOT ridiculous to expect passengers to transfer to/from a high-frequency direct bus service.

What really needs to be done is for BCC to severely limit the amount of parking (and nearby street parking) approved at these type of projects so that more people will use public transport.

Seriously if you're unable to transfer to/from the CityGlider then I don't know how you'd get a job at bank in the first place.

Glider connects well with the CityCat at West End & Teneriffe, cross-river ferry at Teneriffe, BUZ routes at Cultural Centre, rail network at South Brisbane, and connects fairly well with the rail at Fortitude Valley O/B (I/B is a different story but it's not really that far to walk).

There's also the 300/306/322.

Or you could take a 393 from Bowen Hills/RBWH.

There's a myriad of connectivity options and very little excuse to NOT use public transport to this destination.

[#Metro]

Simply put, it is ridiculous to have a bus from everywhere to Newstead.

However it is NOT ridiculous to expect passengers to transfer to/from a high-frequency direct bus service.

Here here!!

[HappyTrainGuy]

Come on.  Name any Australian city that does.

Cairns.

[SurfRail]

Come on.  Name any Australian city that does.

Cairns.

I was actually thinking more like Kyneton, Mt Gambier or Meekatharra, but OK. 

The main problem with Newstead as I see it is there is not much in the way of good frequency from the north.  There should be a BUZ to Hamilton (plus upping the Doomben frequency to the same frequency and running hours as the Shorncliffe line - I see little reason why this couldn't be done tomorrow).

[somebody]

Simply put, it is ridiculous to have a bus from everywhere to Newstead.

However it is NOT ridiculous to expect passengers to transfer to/from a high-frequency direct bus service.

What really needs to be done is for BCC to severely limit the amount of parking (and nearby street parking) approved at these type of projects so that more people will use public transport.

Seriously if you're unable to transfer to/from the CityGlider then I don't know how you'd get a job at bank in the first place.

Glider connects well with the CityCat at West End & Teneriffe, cross-river ferry at Teneriffe, BUZ routes at Cultural Centre, rail network at South Brisbane, and connects fairly well with the rail at Fortitude Valley O/B (I/B is a different story but it's not really that far to walk).

There's also the 300/306/322.

Or you could take a 393 from Bowen Hills/RBWH.

There's a myriad of connectivity options and very little excuse to NOT use public transport to this destination.

Cityglider is only every 10 minutes in peak, and network design militates against interchange near King George Square from including the other routes, although it is OK at FV.

[achiruel]

Cityglider is only every 10 minutes in peak, and network design militates against interchange near King George Square from including the other routes, although it is OK at FV.

The pdf timetable suggests otherwise:

CityGlider is one of the highest frequency bus services in Brisbane.
It runs every five minutes between 7-9am and 4-6pm on weekdays,
and every 10 to 15 minutes between all other hours of operation.

[somebody]

Hmm, that's not bad.

[skippy]

[/quote]

Here's a novel thought: They could transfer! 
[/quote]
Because passengers love that?

I reckon you are going to find take up of PT at this site below 50%.
[/quote]


PT mode share always reduces when an organization moves out of the CBD. For many the employees the PT journey time will increase due to the introduction of a mode transfer. Car parking is cheaper away from the CBD. Those two factors mean more people will stop using PT for the journey to work than those that start commuting by PT. I for one am against decentralisation to the CBD fringe.

Having said that, I support the principle of decentralisation to regional centres, such as Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast etc where there is good infrastructure and critical mass yet lacking in quality employment prospects.

[Golliwog]

Typically yeah, when the move is first done the number using PT drops. But as staff come/go from the company, or move house, they locate themselves in places that can get there in a fashion and timeframe that they deem suitable. For those that hate driving in peak hour, then they would tend to move to somewhere that is easy to get to on PT from this new site at Newstead.

[justanotheruser]

Having said that, I support the principle of decentralisation to regional centres, such as Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast etc where there is good infrastructure and critical mass yet lacking in quality employment prospects.

of course the problem you then face is losing a substantial part of your workforce. imagine if you live a tLogan and travel into the cbd for work. Then they relocate to the sunshine coast. they aren't going to make that trip. The company would not want to lose so many employees and face a massive recruitment and training cost. for some jobs sure any person can do but that is not always the case.

[Golliwog]

Having said that, I support the principle of decentralisation to regional centres, such as Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast etc where there is good infrastructure and critical mass yet lacking in quality employment prospects.

of course the problem you then face is losing a substantial part of your workforce. imagine if you live a tLogan and travel into the cbd for work. Then they relocate to the sunshine coast. they aren't going to make that trip. The company would not want to lose so many employees and face a massive recruitment and training cost. for some jobs sure any person can do but that is not always the case.

For things like that I think it's ideal for business to communicate with their employees. If the business knows that it wants to make such a move (and I assume enacting such a move takes time anyway) then they can inform employees of the plans and allow them to plan around it. It may be that some were looking of moving to somewhere near that anyway. If not then staff can start looking for a new job and the company can start advertising for a position at the new location.

[achiruel]

Having said that, I support the principle of decentralisation to regional centres, such as Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast etc where there is good infrastructure and critical mass yet lacking in quality employment prospects.

Sunshine Coast?  Good infrastructure?  Where???

I think certainly areas such as Ipswich, Logan could have more businesses in them.  Both are at least served with a semi-decent train service.  The question is whether these businesses want to be associated with what are quite low-class areas.

[skippy]

NSW Dept of Agriculture relocated to Orange a few years ago. A few people resigned, however most people soon worked out that you can afford to live in a large four bedroom house 10 mins from work on a salary of $70k - something they couldn't dream of in Sydney.

[johnnigh]

NSW Dept of Agriculture relocated to Orange a few years ago.

A few years ago? About 30 I think. It also stimulated Sydney Uni to locate virtually all its ag faculty to Orange, and Orange hasn't looked back.

When is TMR going to move to Ipswich - totally??

When is DPI or whatever it's called these days, going to Toowoomba, and mining to Mt Isa?

etc

etc

[skippy]

NSW Dept of Agriculture relocated to Orange a few years ago.

A few years ago? About 30 I think. It also stimulated Sydney Uni to locate virtually all its ag faculty to Orange, and Orange hasn't looked back.

When is TMR going to move to Ipswich - totally??

When is DPI or whatever it's called these days, going to Toowoomba, and mining to Mt Isa?

etc

etc

For decentralisation to work the location needs to appeal to families by offering a wide choice of education options including a University, be serviced by either convenient passenger rail or air services to the capital. Ideally the city should have some amenity by being near the coast or offer some 'tree change' appeal. Not sure Mt Isa fits the bill, however Mackay, Townsville, Cairns, Varsity Lakes / Robina / Nerang would be good candidates.

QTMR recently did a partial decentralisation after the Council amalgamations. The Moreton Bay Regional Council area has been transferred from Brisbane to Sunshine Coast District. Presumably some jobs were transferred north.

[achiruel]

For decentralisation to work the location needs to appeal to families by offering a wide choice of education options including a University,

Toowoomba offers that.  Some of the best secondary schools in the State, plus a university which apparently has excellent employment outcomes for its graduates.

be serviced by either convenient passenger rail or air services to the capital.

Hmmm.  The Greyhound service isn't rail, but really isn't that bad (in my experience at least), it doesn't take too long to get to Brisbane.  I wouldn't want to sit on a coach for any longer, though.

Ideally the city should have some amenity by being near the coast or offer some 'tree change' appeal.

I think Toowoomba has some appeal.  It's really quite a pretty little city.  Just don't walk past the pubs in Margaret & Ruthven Sts at 1am on a Sunday morning