This article is from the Australian Property Journal archive
MORE than six years of planning has gone down the girdler for Brookfield Multiplex, after the Queensland Government on the weekend pulled the plug of the $1.7 billion North Bank development.
It was a victory for opponents last Sunday when Deputy Premier and Minister for Infrastructure and Planning Paul Lucas said the North Bank development will be cancelled.
According to the Department, 2275 submissions were received from the general public and other stakeholders, with 93% against the proposed North Bank development.
QLD Premier Anna Bligh said the public has sent a clear message, with submissions following the recent Enquiry by Design process showing that 93% of people do not support the proposed North Bank development in its current form.
“The public have spoken and said overwhelmingly they do not want to see development in the Brisbane river.
“It is my job and the responsibility of government to listen to the will of the people. 80% of people have previously said they wanted something done and that’s why we went to the Enquiry by Design, but clearly Brisbane does not want this development,” she added.
The main concerns raised were development in the river, the impact of buildings on views and the heritage precinct.
Lucas said this is a once in a lifetime project and the Government is better off waiting until the longer term, when the possibility of taking the Riverside Expressway underground could present a new opportunity for North Bank.
The $1.7 billion redevelopment was Brisbane’s answer to Sydney’s Darling Harbour. The Beattie Government first proposed the project more than six years.
Brookfield Multiplex was awarded the development rights in February last year and was given the greenlight in December after being forced to adapt its original proposal following concerns raised during the public consultation process.
Brookfield Multiplex adapted its design, including repositioning one of the commercial buildings closer to the freeway and set back all buildings at least 10 metres from the river. In addition, the height of buildings closest to the riverfront reduced from 25 levels to eight.
It is unknown how much money Brookfield Multiplex has spent to try and develop this project over the last six years.
Australian Property Journal
