The economic opportunities awaiting Brisbane are forecast to generate 343,000 new jobs over the next 10 years, and the population is expected to grow to 1.27 million people over the next 20 years.
To help deal with this rampant growth, Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has announced the City Centre Master Plan is to be reviewed to deal with the pressures of a booming city.
“Quite clearly we need to plan for this growth responsibly in a way that addresses the shortage of office, retail and residential space required by an expanding CBD,” he said. “We want to secure our city’s future as a place where businesses want to locate, workers want to work, people want to live, students want to study and tourists want to visit.”
There are, however, uncertainties as to what the new draft of the 2006 document – which City Hall has given just over a year to complete – may mean for many major developments proposed by the previous Lord Mayor, Campbell Newman.
Controversial proposals such as North Bank, Cross River Rail and King George Square’s underground bus stop and surface refurbishment were major components of the original plan, as was the popular Vibrant Laneways small spaces strategy.
Brisbane Development Association president Matthew Miller said there were still financial questions that need answers.
“Finding $60-to-$80 million for a new bridge in Brisbane would be tough at the moment, but Airport Link seems to be doing well so hopefully that will encourage the private sector,” Miller said, while also remaining supportive of proposals that focus on improving economic opportunity in the CBD subject to some minor amendments.
Those proposals are largely focused on boosting the city’s capacity by way of larger floor-plates, more public transport and urban redesign to cater for extra pedestrians.
Quirk said community consultation will be an integral part of the review with industry consultation set to begin in October, followed by engagement with businesses and the residential community in 2013.
Key Dates:
- Late 2012: upcoming industry forums with the Property Council of Australia, Brisbane Development Association and Urban Design Alliance
- Early 2013: community design and ideas forum
- Late 2013: draft city centre master plan
- 2014: statutory review of the City Centre Neighbourhood Plan
