The Queensland Government has announced a $2 billion master plan to revamp Brisbane's Parliamentary precinct which has been compared in size and scale to Sydney’s massive Barangaroo development.
The initial plans include one or two towers to be built on William Street and for shops and restaurants along the northern river bank.
The images releases to media have already caused some controversy.
Image: Brisbane Times
The ABC ran a TV news story, noting that the renders, by Cox Rayner, (pictured below) sent to the media are actually from a plan commissioned for the previous government.
The Brisbane Times reported that when asked about the designs Premier Campbell Newman said: "It's just an artist's impression to give people a feel for the excitement we have for the revitalisation of the precinct."
Currently the site is a car park beside the Riverside Expressway but under the new plans could be converted into a riverside boardwalk and a pedestrian plaza.
George Street would also be part of the revitalisation project which Newman said will help the precinct become a 'hub of activity, day and night.'
"The government will also seek options for the redevelopment and enhancement of 80, 100 and 102 George Street through an Expression of Interest process, providing up to 60,000 square metres of additional office space," he said.
Newman said that the plans would be cost-neutral to the taxpayer and would include office, retail, residences, open spaces and a hotel potentially creating up to 18,000 jobs which he pointed out is important in the current declining building industry.
Public Works Minister Bruce Flegg said that Cox Rayner had not been contacted about the plans since he became minister.
"It's an old artist's impression for discussion purposes," Dr Flegg said of the render.
The government will soon be inviting Expressions of Interest for the William Street development.
