I don't get all this excitement about an Apple store either, who cares, you've still been able to get their products until now haven't you?

Not really, only at K-Mart, Target, Dick Smith....

There is more to a city than skyscrapers and architecture.

For that reason, the more international retailers we get in Brisbane, the better for our city.

Not really, only at K-Mart, Target, Dick Smith....

ONLY at all major retail stores

Myer and David Jones basically have mini apple stores inside them these days, well at least the city stores.

As does JB. It's crazy how Apple users froth at the mouth over an Apple store.

As does JB. It's crazy how Apple users froth at the mouth over an Apple store.

They are brand addicted. Pretty sad.

Obviously they all have nicely paying jobs to be able to afford the extra expense sought by Apple.

I, for one, am certainly not brand addicted. But I would like to able to buy quality products.

I think it's a bit rich saying that 'brand addicted people' are pretty sad...what's wrong with wanting to own an Armani suit or an LV briefcase?

Think carefully about what you say. Some could say that those with with thousands of posts on a skyscraper forum are 'building addicted' and that is pretty sad. But it is not because everyone has areas that interest them. We should all respect that

^^ Nothing wrong with buying Apple products, I own some myself.

i switched to apple purely due to a business decision. I had 2 reformats of hard drive pc which wasted almost 3 days in total.

Multiply that by my hourly rate i charge clients and and it was about $2000 I lost due to dodgy pc's. Plus the glitches i was getting with windows xp was infuriating me. The switch to mac, i havent had a single problem with machine or OS for a few years now. It has saved me $$. Only prob i have had is with a third part application (skype).

So because of this experience i have had i will buy more apple products if they suit my need. Doesnt mean Im brand addicted, just a simple business decision. I want a product thats simple to use, works well, has good help if there is a problem, and looks good.

The fact that they look good is really just a bonus. I like my things to look nice as most people do. Apple really have pioneered that "stylish functionality" and that is only just now filtering through to other companies. I have only in the last year or two started to see pc's that have had an effort put into their design. This attention to detail is one of the reasons for success of Apple in the last ten years.

So this effort they put into design also filters through to their stores. They are as much an experience to go into as they are to sell, inform and help about their products. So i understand why ppl would like to have on in their city esp the CBD. It really just adds more substance to the retail. Like having a major label clothes shop in the CBD also adds to the shopping experience.

And Brizzy Chris to say that ppl who buy apple all have nice paying jobs is pretty vast overstatement.

Why can't you go to a reseller for that?

Im not sure i understand you.

i do use a reseller, and will only switch to the apple store for products if it is more convenient or cheaper to do so, or for any help from their staff. But if a store does open i will go there for a look (when im in the cbd) just to see it. As i mentioned in my post it is an nice experience to visit one due to the effort they out into the fitout and style. And that it adds more to the retail sector of the CBD.

Apple are a shit company. We (Harvey Norman) dont sell macs because you make 0$ on them, and often lose money.

Ipods have about $10 in them.

^^^^ someone seems like they have a grudge~

Like Samuel77 said, its about the experience, product support, and quality of the sales staff in an apple store that makes the difference. It's ppl like you Malt that would turn me away from buying at Harvey Norman - you seem to have little care for the products. Staff at Apple have a passion for the product which clearly makes a difference in the experience.

And wouldn't you rather buy products from the ppl that actually produce it?

^^
I know I would.

And wouldn't you rather buy products from the ppl that actually produce it?

In the scheme of things that count to me, that one would be pretty low.

It's ppl like you Malt that would turn me away from buying at Harvey Norman

I doubt I've bought many electronic products from Harvey Norman, but I've used their workers to get info - they're usually pretty knowledgeable.

As for accusing using someone of having a grudge, you're certainly sounding like you have one.

Someone said to me apple equals computers for dummies

i kinda agree. They are a bit "for dummies". And so they should be. you shouldnt need to be a techie to use a computer. they should be intuitive. I am old enough to have used computers in the days before Windows and still remember editing autoexec.bat and config.sys files through MS-DOS (I still remember most msdos commands). I can use/setup/fix a pc but i prefer not to have to do that stuff. It was only ever through necessity. If you like doing that stuff, then fair enough. I prefer to know how to use a computer without having to "learn" how to do it first or know anything technical. Mac are better at that than pc. Although as each year passes both OS's seem more similar.

This ground has all been covered before, lets get back to development talk.

Apple are a shit company. We (Harvey Norman) dont sell macs because you make 0$ on them, and often lose money.

Ipods have about $10 in them.

You work at Harvey Norman, and say that Apple are a shit company?

A whole page about Apple, how exciting!

Hey guys I just heard a rumor
you guys dont need to believe me and dont take every words for it
My dad's friend owns a building along the Albert Street mall
and he was telling me about the Apple company has contact him about putting a store in his building
i dont know what is happening now since the Chermside store is opening
but that might be one of the locations in Brisbane city store :D

May I ask which building it is your father's friend owns? Is it Brisbane Central?

OMG OMG OMG lets all get just so excited again. OMG another apple store in Bris? This is just incredible! Oh yer - high five everyone. I can't wait wait wait. We might even get a Wendy's too or some other gay store too. Peeing my pants now - fark yer.

Yeah, I think we've had enough Apple talk in here. Anymore and I will have to start tidying the thread up.

Today's Courier Mail:

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6545/dsc03871pdy.jpg

Devine, I'm guessing that office tower is the French Quarter tower.
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/4050/dsc03872.jpg

Massive loss on a small site. 'Lucky' buyer.

Devine's site that they sold is right next to the Vision hole.

You work at Harvey Norman, and say that Apple are a shit company?

Damn somebody beat me to it ..

Hardly Normal only wish they could be half has cool and dynamic as a mac store .. the only reason hardly's exists is because consumers are dumb enough to shop there.

and no .. I'm not a mac user .. I just know smart and innovative marketing when I see it.

When was the last time a Harvey Norman pulled 450 million in one year .. thats how much the 5th ave. mac store in New York pulled last year .. thats one mac store .. and even if it is surrounded by a population of 6 million people that is still an amazing number.

Today's Courier Mail:

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/6545/dsc03871pdy.jpg

Devine, I'm guessing that office tower is the French Quarter tower.
http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/4050/dsc03872.jpg

Hinchcliffe is such a NIMBY.
He owns a house on Teneriffe Hill so is just out for himself.....that mans actions border on corruption.

I really dont care too much whether anyone likes harvey norman.. I have no aspirations to remain there, HOWEVER..

The majority of people are (as was stated) 'too dumb', and thus they need stores like Harvey Norman for the support etc offered. If you dont need the extra info or help, go buy online where its cheaper.

Apple are shit however. What a philosophy... "PROPRIETARY EVERYTHING, LETS MAKE THE WORLD INCOMPATIBLE!!!"

That is all.

Hinchcliffe is such a NIMBY.
He owns a house on Teneriffe Hill

LOL. How obvious does he want to make it?

Devine, I'm guessing that office tower is the French Quarter tower.

This is the rumoured tower at 111 Mary St, just next to Vision. It was to be a 25 storey strata title office building (just like Matisse opppsite it).

Hinchcliffe is such a NIMBY.

Actuaully, I met the guy. He is pro-development. I would suggest he was playing politics. Those Council meetings are a bit of a farce, you can read the minutes on the BCC website. They read as being really silly sometimes, full of bravdo and sarcascm.

No, you've got the wrong site, this is the Mary St one next to Vision. It was to be a strata title office building (just like Matisse opppsite it).

Oh no I was talking about the bit where it stated they are delaying the start of a office tower in the CBD.

Oh no I was talking about the bit where it stated they are delaying the start of a office tower in the CBD.

Oh yeah, the article makes reference to the KGS tower, which was officially delayed last week.

I read in the CM yesterday that the BCC is going to employ a fleet of 'super buses' from 2010 to run the Newstead, Bowen Hills, Valley, CBD, West End routes. While the concept of super buses is not a new one, I assume it is going to replace the idea of having underground rail to the same destinations? I quite like the subway plan but I suppose since it's not as cheap it's not worth looking at.

^^Not at all. The Superbuses will prove to be just as slow as the current route and have very similar problems. Royal waste of money if you ask me.

^^Not at all. The Superbuses will prove to be just as slow as the current route and have very similar problems. Royal waste of money if you ask me.

Not really... They need a bus system that services the key areas. They might as well use big ones so less people are left standing. If they don't, the buses will still be there, just smaller.

The subway has not been deferred or otherwise interfered with at this point.

But you make a bus longer and you take up more kerbside space. That's the biggest problem in the city at the moment.

City News has some info on the budget;
http://city-news.whereilive.com.au/news/story/city-s-transport-winner-in-budget/

BRISBANE: A rapid transit system providing high frequency buses to anywhere in the inner city, every few minutes, will be part of a $45.9 million transport plan for the CBD announced in the Brisbane City Council budget.

The CityGlider rapid bus transit system, due to launch in early 2010, has received $4.5 million.

Lord Mayor Campbell Newman is also rolling out his European-style bicycle hire scheme, CityCycle, between Newstead and the University of Queensland in St Lucia.

“I want the experience of getting around Brisbane’s CBD and inner city to be enjoyable and stress-free,” he said.

The completed CityCycle network is due to open in 2010 and will include 2000 bicycles across 150 stations.

Cr Newman has also allocated $1.5 million to rehabilitate and maintain the Floating Riverwalk in New Farm and Newstead.

Another $400,000 will be spent on CCTV cameras and other safety measures around CBD bus and ferry stops.

Other budget announcements include:

* $8.36 million to enhance cleaning and waste services over four years;

* $7.4 million over the next two years for the Brunswick Street Mall upgrade;

* $4.5 million for a new Green Square Community Centre in Fortitude Valley;

* $5.2 million on the Queen Street Mall extension;

* $3.1 million on the CBD Vibrant Laneways project;

* $2.3 million to resurface roads in the inner city.

The Lord Mayor is addressing safety concerns in Fortitude Valley through a $600,000 drug and alcohol free program over three years for young people.

The Valley Entertainment Precinct will receive $435,000 for the Valley Alive Project taskforce to target compliance with building classification and appropriate fire safety requirements


---


Good to see the BSM getting an upgrade :)
What's this about an 'extension' of the QSM?

WHAT ABOUT TRAMS??

WHAT ABOUT TRAMS??

We all get the government we deserve. If more people wanted trams should have voted for the Greens.

Trams through the CBD are a crap idea full stop. They would be just as slow as the buses are and it is only in the peak that the buses are full anyway.

Yeah, and dedicated right of way for trams is out of the question. I think trolleybuses in the CBD would be a good comprimise.

Yeah, and dedicated right of way for trams is out of the question. I think trolleybuses in the CBD would be a good comprimise.
Brisbane is too crowded for trams, the roads are too narrow and there is too much traffic. These issues have to be tackled before trams are introduced. I mean take Adelaide Street at peak times, you can walk from Brisbane Square to Aurora quicker than the busses can drive. I know as I’ve done it a few times. (There is something cheeky about walking past all those people on those busses that I like)

Yeah, and dedicated right of way for trams is out of the question. I think trolleybuses in the CBD would be a good comprimise.

What's the difference between trolley buses and buses other than extra infrastructure and set up costs?

We all get the government we deserve. If more people wanted trams should have voted for the Greens.

BAHAHA. This is why you voted Greens. You don't think about things long enough to realise they're useless.

^^And you voted for the conservatives only because you always do and your too blind to realise there are major flaws in every party???

That's worse.

Anyone know where the Queen Street Mall is supposedly extending to?

In the logical direction I would assume.

@JayT: What? I think we're agreeing on that...

@KJ: The benefits, without going into too much detail on the long term cost and pollution issues are quite large. Look at it objectively: it's a zero emission vehicle, not no mention quite a lot quieter than a normal bus. They can also create their own power during braking to supplement their energy usage. Their fuel is not as prone to supply, refinement or delivery issues as diesel and CNG are, and doesn't have as much variability in price which is regulated. Not to mention that the infrastructure is expandable from any point and the commissioning of it won't need any intensive work like rails being laid.

And before any conservatives or whoever point out that the power plant still burns coal, yeah, we all know! But that is a much bigger issue than just transport that needs to be looked at seperately - and there are already a lot better alternatives to coal, but as usual we aren't using any now and don't want to try.

Brisbane is too crowded for trams, the roads are too narrow and there is too much traffic. These issues have to be tackled before trams are introduced. I mean take Adelaide Street at peak times, you can walk from Brisbane Square to Aurora quicker than the busses can drive. I know as I’ve done it a few times. (There is something cheeky about walking past all those people on those busses that I like)

Doesn't city hall have a long term vision of re-introducing trams to Brisbane??

I thought that all new bridges across the Brisbane River excluding predestrian, had to be able to specifically handle light rail?? And i believe that rule also applies to the busways being built around town??

The super-bus concept would appear to make trams obselete.

^^And you voted for the conservatives only because you always do and your too blind to realise there are major flaws in every party???

That's worse.

Wow, you really do have a hangup about me voting for the Borg, don't you? It's come out a few times now.

In answer to your accusations: NO and NO.

@JayT: What? I think we're agreeing on that...

@KJ: The benefits, without going into too much detail on the long term cost and pollution issues are quite large. Look at it objectively: it's a zero emission vehicle, not no mention quite a lot quieter than a normal bus. They can also create their own power during braking to supplement their energy usage. Their fuel is not as prone to supply, refinement or delivery issues as diesel and CNG are, and doesn't have as much variability in price which is regulated. Not to mention that the infrastructure is expandable from any point and the commissioning of it won't need any intensive work like rails being laid.

And before any conservatives or whoever point out that the power plant still burns coal, yeah, we all know! But that is a much bigger issue than just transport that needs to be looked at seperately - and there are already a lot better alternatives to coal, but as usual we aren't using any now and don't want to try.


Sure the benefits of trams might outweigh the benefits of buses, but take a look at the bigger picture...

Brisbane is no Melbourne, we have no wide, spacious city streets which could comfortably handle trams travelling in both directions.

Most of Brisbane's city streets are 3 lanes. For a two way tram system to be put in place, you would need to remove to lanes for cars. This would leave just one lane for cars and is utter stupidity.

Need I say more?

This would leave just one lane for cars and is utter stupidity.

Not necessarily.

Anyone know where the Queen Street Mall is supposedly extending to?

Well it can either go East, West, North or South... West is basically already mall with Brisbane Square, North is King George Square (They could be calling some of that upgrading QSM - doubtful and dodgy if true). That leaves South to over Albert street, which I really don't see. As that would be Albert Street. So that leaves East up Queen Street, Doubt that would be closing it off, we would have heard more about it, but probably just pavement upgrades and alike to consider it more connected to the actual Mall.

I could be totally wrong, but just working through the problem logically.

^^It's obvious because in front of Post Office Square was mentioned in the CBD Masterplan. It is fairly easy to do as there are no driveways.

The biggest issue is where do you put the buses!

Sure the benefits of trams might outweigh the benefits of buses, but take a look at the bigger picture...

I wasn't talking about trams at all?

Anyone know where the Queen Street Mall is supposedly extending to?

ONly one real direction it can go. I've noticed alot of surveyors markings on the ground from Edward up to Creek. This was on the cards AGES ago when they were talking under grounding the buses up this way, then they thought about extending PO square under ground up to the mall, i guess they decided to just run the mall up this way.

^^It's obvious because in front of Post Office Square was mentioned in the CBD Masterplan. It is fairly easy to do as there are no driveways.

The biggest issue is where do you put the buses!

A lecturer of mine at uni said he was one of the consultant's in a project behind extending the QSM from Edward to Creek back in 1987/88 just before Expo, but naturally it fell through and didn't happen.

Aside from the malling of the street, the plan was to also excavate the road and build one floor of parking, plus one floor of retail to connect up with the current P.O. Square foodcourt/shop area.

But yeah, taking away those bus stops would be a major issue. I catch my bus from that area, and it is packed during peak with passengers and buses.

^^
Ah that's interesting.

:)



This is getting off topic but has anyone ever been to The Tivoli before?

I just heard that Katy Perry will be performing there in August so I looked it up.

They also have Flo Rida and the All-American Rejects coming out to Australia as well as performances from Evermore and The Whitlams in the next few months.

What is public transport like around here?

Tivoli is next to RNA and a short walk from Bowen Bridge Rd, so there are frequent buses nearby, or you can walk from the Valley train station.

Wouldn't you think they would at least make the current mall late night every night, before extending it, only to shut at 5.30/6pm every night other than friday.... its a waste IMO if it's shut half the time~

@JayT: What? I think we're agreeing on that...

@KJ: The benefits, without going into too much detail on the long term cost and pollution issues are quite large. Look at it objectively: it's a zero emission vehicle, not no mention quite a lot quieter than a normal bus.

so the tram you are proposing is foot powered or pulled by horses? even that have emission
the tram needs electricity to run it and where do we get electricity from? power plants. our power plants for brissy i think are all coal plants (please correct me if im wrong). theres the emission there
should get a hybrid bus, that would be quiet too

And before any conservatives or whoever point out that the power plant still burns coal, yeah, we all know! But that is a much bigger issue than just transport that needs to be looked at seperately - and there are already a lot better alternatives to coal, but as usual we aren't using any now and don't want to try.

I think if you'd read further, u would have noted this.

Just thinking - if trams take up majority of the road, isn't it forcing ppl to ditch their cars in the inner city and take PT.... the CBD should be private vehicle free.... remove the car, introduce tram and bus services and getting around the city would be a breeze... and if Adelaide street once accommodated trams, what's different now, besides traffic level? has the road been changed?

And by getting rid of the car I don't mean taxis, deliver vehicles or the like- I mean ppl who sit alone in a car polluting our city whilst they wait for others like themselves in the cars in front.

The benefits of such a scheme would be great IMO:

• greater safety for pedestrians
• less pollution from congested cars
• saving money in terms of delivery times (business) and taxi fares
• gives the city back to the citizens and not the car
• pretty much enforces ppl to take pt

in terms of implementing this, it's a logistical nightmare but once running I think it would be amazing. Roads would not need to be changed but cars warned and charged a large fine should they decide to enter the CBD precinct. Yes, as I said trams, rails would need to be laid and this would cost. I think cost and implementation are the big downsides here; yet neither are impossible!

Anyways, just a crazy idea of mine..... Wouldn't it be great tho - well IMO it would :D

That's a great thought on its own. Unfortunately Brisbane isn't geared for the change on a wider scale.

Maybe if we had a decent citywide PT system.

True but I think the major struggle is convincing the lazy ass ppl who'd rather sit in their car....

Wow, you really do have a hangup about me voting for the Borg, don't you? It's come out a few times now.

In answer to your accusations: NO and NO.

Who is 'the Borg'?


I am loving KDreamers ideas and reasoning for a tram system. Hasn't Adelaide Street long been earmarked for public transport only? If there was a light rail route that ran that route with no cars, and they somehow managed a connection to the Valley and maybe across to the Northern Busway, there'd be little need for many people in the inner city to drive!

Who is 'the Borg'?

Springborg, LNP leader in the last state election.

It would need to be implemented in phases though - say like 1 or 2 streets at a time. Say, George and Adelaide. Then, gradually you would add more streets over time until completed..... kinda like weening the car users off their private vehicle within the CBD.

Wouldn't you think they would at least make the current mall late night every night, before extending it, only to shut at 5.30/6pm every night other than friday.... its a waste IMO if it's shut half the time~
Surely businesses would prosper from a few extra hours during peak times Monday-Friday. Twelve hour business hours in the CBD should be the norm in a city of Brisbane's size.

I can't believe when I left work about 7pm last night, how dead the city is around the Golden Triangle. I usually leave around 5-5.30pm when it's swarming with people, but didn't realise how quickly it emptied out and became quite lifeless.

I constantly work in the city at night - and I'm constantly surprised at the level of ppl there is just sitting around~

I can't believe when I left work about 7pm last night, how dead the city is around the Golden Triangle. I usually leave around 5-5.30pm when it's swarming with people, but didn't realise how quickly it emptied out and became quite lifeless.

with the exception of the few restaurants along the river, most of which don't get busy until a bit later than 7pm, there is very little to keep people entertained

Staying open would mean less crime, the economy getting stimulated and greater atmosphere in the cbd. If cavill can do it Brisbane definitly can! Plus there'd be greater use of pt at night....

Another of Queensland's archaic laws that keeps Queensland being...well, Queensland.

The flag waver for early closing in Queensland as Francis McDonnell, one of the founders of McDonnell & East and once Queensland Treasurer. An early closing bill didn't pass in 1897 but did in 1900.

http://adbonline.anu.edu.au/biogs/A100248b.htm

Here is the current legislation:
http://www.legislation.qld.gov.au/LEGISLTN/CURRENT/T/TradingAllHrA90.pdf

Here's an excerpt from the New York Times from 1903 too :)
http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9C01E6DC1739E433A25751C1A9619C946297D6CF

Am I the only one who simply wants to get home and see my family after work??? Seriously, who voluntarily stays in the CBD after work finishes to try and 'find entertainment' after a hard day when they live in the suburbs? Maybe if you're catching up with a mate... But otherwise I get myself out of there pronto.

I think this is the way the majority of people view the situation... Hence a lot less people in the CBD after hours.

just needs more residents (residential towers) in the city to promote more after hours trading. The more ppl living in the city the more it will be used and the more vibrant it will become

just needs more residents (residential towers) in the city to promote more after hours trading. The more ppl living in the city the more it will be used and the more vibrant it will become

This is absolutelly true.

A lecturer of mine at uni said he was one of the consultant's in a project behind extending the QSM from Edward to Creek back in 1987/88 just before Expo, but naturally it fell through and didn't happen.

Aside from the malling of the street, the plan was to also excavate the road and build one floor of parking, plus one floor of retail to connect up with the current P.O. Square foodcourt/shop area.

But yeah, taking away those bus stops would be a major issue. I catch my bus from that area, and it is packed during peak with passengers and buses.


I actually like the sound of this.

In my fantasy world, Adelaide Street could be made one way with traffic running towards the Brisbane River. Elizabeth Street would remain one way with traffic running the same way it does today. Queen Street would be pedestrianised between Edward and Creek Streets with the bus stops moved to Elizabeth Street (at the back of The Myer Centre).

This new part of the Queen Street Mall would have direct access to MacArthur Central and the Post Office Square Arcade and encourage some more retail development. Post Office Square would continue the walkability theme right through to ANZAC Square and Central Station.

Am I the only one who simply wants to get home and see my family after work??? Seriously, who voluntarily stays in the CBD after work finishes to try and 'find entertainment' after a hard day when they live in the suburbs? Maybe if you're catching up with a mate... But otherwise I get myself out of there pronto.

I think this is the way the majority of people view the situation... Hence a lot less people in the CBD after hours.

I understand where you are coming from, but even so, not the whole population of Brisbane is such as yourself. Think, Uni students, tourists, residents of the CBD, ppl who want to catch up etc. Friday night isn't the only night that things happen socially, and just because the majority of people in the age bracket of 30 - 50 don't want to go there, doesn't mean it should shut.

As I said, i work in the city, and its always busy right up until closing time (after 9), we nearlly keep people out. IMO, people are generally coming because there's hardly anything else to do.

that's my view anyway.

In my fantasy world, Adelaide Street could be made one way with traffic running towards the Brisbane River. Elizabeth Street would remain one way with traffic running the same way it does today. Queen Street would be pedestrianised between Edward and Creek Streets with the bus stops moved to Elizabeth Street (at the back of The Myer Centre).



There is no room on Elizabeth Street for more bus stops, let alone all the stops that you'd need to take of Adelaide Street due to the one waying.

What would be better is to two way all the streets in the CBD.

^^
You wouldn't need to take that many bus stops (if any) off Adelaide Street. Just make the two lanes one way.

Same goes for Elizabeth Street. On street parking could also be reduced

Like I said it's a fantasy idea.

^^So there are bus stops on both sides of Adelaide Street. If you make the two lanes one way, how do the buses get to the stops going the other way.

There is no on street parking on the left hand side of Elizabeth Street. It is almost entirely bus stops already. Those areas that are not bus stops will be very shortly.

^^

The bus routes which head in the opposite direction along Adelaide Street would be redirected to Elizabeth Street which would become another main hub for buses on street level.

The bus stops on both sides of Adelaide Street would remain, buses which travel along Coronation Drive would use the right hand bus stops and those that go to South Bank and elsewhere would use the left hand bus stops. Same goes for Elizabeth Street bus stops but in the opposite direction

^^

The bus routes which head in the opposite direction along Adelaide Street would be redirected to Elizabeth Street which would become another main hub for buses on street level.

The bus stops on both sides of Adelaide Street would remain, buses which travel along Coronation Drive would use the right hand bus stops and those that go to South Bank and elsewhere would use the left hand bus stops. Same goes for Elizabeth Street bus stops but in the opposite direction

http://watchmojo.com/blogs/images/fail.jpg

NO.

You can't have buses stopping on the right hand side of the street, people would be getting off onto traffic!! The doors are on the otherside of the stop :nuts::bash:

^^
:lol:

True, I completely forgot about that.
There goes my idea then :o :lol:

Exactly!!

Although it would be funny to see people try it! Have mirror imaged buses especially designed for the right hand stops :p or have doors on both sides

Moran's flagship ARIA restaurant near the Sydney Opera House will celebrate its 10th birthday in December, and the busy chef is currently preparing for the opening of another ARIA restaurant at Brisbane's Eagle Street Pier precinct in August.

"There are a lot of great restaurants in Brisbane, it's really come of age and we want to be part of that," he said.

"We're itching to get up there and get stuck into it."

Flagship? ARIA lost its 3 hat status years ago. Now just a "common" two hat restaurant.

It is the type of restaurant that attracts the bogans who recently won lotto.

http://watchmojo.com/blogs/images/fail.jpg

NO.

You can't have buses stopping on the right hand side of the street, people would be getting off onto traffic!! The doors are on the otherside of the stop :nuts::bash:

:rofl: where is that failed camera? not in brisbane i would think...

^^So there are bus stops on both sides of Adelaide Street. If you make the two lanes one way, how do the buses get to the stops going the other way.

There is no on street parking on the left hand side of Elizabeth Street. It is almost entirely bus stops already. Those areas that are not bus stops will be very shortly.

I don't want to see Adelaide st one way it looks good two way, i would think eventually most streets will become two way,
but elizabeth is one of the main roads in from the expressway which should stay oneway. I don't think the entire lenght is full of bus stops though. If u concentrated all the bus stops along both sides outside the Myer Centre it would be too chaotic i would think... esp in peak.

It is a classic photo from failblog I think. Google search "fail" in and you'll see heaps of such images

but elizabeth is one of the main roads in from the expressway which should stay oneway. I don't think the entire lenght is full of bus stops though. If u concentrated all the bus stops along both sides outside the Myer Centre it would be too chaotic i would think... esp in peak.

Elizabeth Street is the only off ramp that doesn't have a sister on-ramp. IMO that would make it the easiest ramp to remove.

Simple solution: Put a extremely strong, large metal bar with large LED warning lights at the correct height on the ramp entrance...

No need to remove the ramp, that would be highly unnecessary.

^^ You're back?

Geez, Belle Voiture didn't last long, banned already!

He was SEQ92.

^^And you voted for the conservatives only because you always do and your too blind to realise there are major flaws in every party???

That's worse.

Too true, he would defend them to the death even if it meant they imposed a 20 story height limit on future construction, 'because that's who i am' its pathetic your not born that way you know Marty, you can swing vote!!

Your comment is totally unfounded. I supported Springborg along with almost 50% of Queenslanders. I quite like Campbell Newman as a mayor - I've said as much maybe twice in passing. That is the extent of my support for conservative politicians on this forum.

Maybe I should take this opportunity to bow down on bended knee as an expression of my remorse for ever speaking a good word about a conservative politician and my humility from henceforth in solemnly promising never to do it again. Such a travesty! Oh how I regret it!

Go and get a grip & quit being such a narrow minded fool.

For anyone who's been keeping track of the progress of the "vibrant laneway/space" thing at the base of Jacob's Ladder, the art pieces (originally from King George Square) have now been installed, but still wrapped up. Looks like it should be completed in the next week or so.

Coles at Indooroopilly and St Lucia will be sold to Foodworks, pending ACCC approval.

http://www.coles.com.au/about/news/documents/Safari%20release%20final.pdf

For anyone who's been keeping track of the progress of the "vibrant laneway/space" thing at the base of Jacob's Ladder, the art pieces (originally from King George Square) have now been installed, but still wrapped up. Looks like it should be completed in the next week or so.

Other than the art pieces, is anything else being done?
And what about the Turbot St underpass? Is that still getting a makeover?

From The Australian:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,25720844-2702,00.html


Queensland unit shortage 'a wake-up call' for senators

AS Queensland CEO of the Urban Development Institute of Australia, Brian Stewart is well used to the ups and downs of monthly housing data.

But even this property veteran was dismayed by yesterday's credit crunch-fuelled fall in May apartment and townhouse approvals. He blames most of the 43.6 per cent fall on the credit squeeze and says the figure should be a wake-up call for senators who recently blocked the Rudd Bank plan to provide finance to commercial property developers.

"We're calling on the opposition, Greens and independents to pass the legislation because we're now seeing what the credit squeeze is doing to the industry," he said.

Mr Stewart said some states were better off than others, but the politicians had to look no further than Melbourne, where 1500 unit approvals in February had become 500 by May.

He said it had become a fact of life that developers could not obtain finance and therefore were having to put projects on hold.

"This is a real issue for the industry," he said.

A Sydney developer, who has cancelled one high-rise apartment project because of funding issues, said yesterday that many developers had been forced to shut up shop because of funding.

The developer described conditions in the market and access to capital as exceptionally bad.

"If the banks don't open up, and the government does nothing, this industry will collapse."

He said 12 months ago, banks would lend on a loan-to-value ratio of 80 per cent.

Today, they were asking for 65per cent and wanted 50 per cent pre-sales. The developer said with pre-sales almost non-existent in the present market, it had become impossible to obtain finance.

Another Sydney developer, John Condon, said he had almost been forced out of business by the credit crunch.

Mr Condon has planning approval for 24 apartments in a project in Wollongong but cannot obtain pre-sales and therefore cannot obtain finance.

"It's just about ruined me," he said.

Mr Condon said the NSW government had to shoulder some of the responsibility for the disastrous state of the apartment and townhouse building sector.

"The government's high stamp duty and land tax regimes have killed residential property," he said.

Mr Condon said the market was so bad he was still holding apartments completed in 2005.

Meanwhile, one of the apartment sector's great survivors, Meriton boss Harry Triguboff, is on the look out for a third Brisbane apartment site as the Sydney-based billionaire considers shifting more of his development north.

"When we came to Brisbane, we couldn't sell at all," he said.

"But I believed what I had to offer was what the market wants."

Mr Triguboff said he had been helped by the fact that other Brisbane CBD apartment projects had been shelved.

dam, so i guess that means his second tower is looking quite promising as well then

We should buy a shrine to Harry.

glad to hear some good news for once.

Old TAFE is gone forever to make way for a new park.

http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/6945/p1310034.jpg (http://img22.imageshack.us/i/p1310034.jpg/)

A pane of glass has met the footpath out the front of Customs House within the last half hour or so.

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp329/djmajahbn/Brisbane/P1010133.jpg

It appears to have come from Aurora, 444 doesn't show any missing panes (although it does have 2 panes per window).

http://i424.photobucket.com/albums/pp329/djmajahbn/Brisbane/P1010134.jpg


On a side note, I'm heading to Singapore tomorrow for a week, so I'll bring you back some nice pics then hopefully!

Oh, and QPS have just closed both sides of the footpath now!

A glass tabletop according to Brisbane Times website.

I know Riparian has strict rules on outside furniture, obviously the student towers don't enforce anything similar....

a couple of years ago i witnessed a glass table blow off a balcony and land in the middle of upper edward st in a thunderstorm. two teens not long after who were wearing thongs had taken them off and ran across the street in the rain. the first half was a sprint, the second not so much. they were taken care of by some shop owners and there was blood everywhere

a couple of years ago i witnessed a glass table blow off a balcony and land in the middle of upper edward st in a thunderstorm. two teens not long after who were wearing thongs had taken them off and ran across the street in the rain. the first half was a sprint, the second not so much. they were taken care of by some shop owners and there was blood everywhere

Wasn't it balcony furniture that killed that guy working in an office on the Gold Coast last month. They should get stricter rules on balcony furniture in highrise apartments. Make it so its all locked down.

j

4th July 2009

Jacobs Ladder project.

Took this one from the top of the ladder this afternoon. There are two very different views for the Staircase/Ladder. The view from the top and the view from the bottom. Sorry I only took one from the top (and I wasn't about to climb back down to just go back up again:))
http://www.mynetimages.com/2d29d929.jpg

From the bottom looking up, the stair case it just looks to be red and white stripes that you can see at the very bottom of that photo. A very candy cane, or barber shop look. Very bright, although i'm a little disappointed it was just a paint job and no repairs to the actual staircase, which could have had a resurface for the painting.

Its a great staircase to ride down on a full suspension mountain bike :D

very rainbow

LOL, hahaha, funniest thing I've seen this weekend, and I've seen some funny things...

should be renamed 'jacobs beat'

So are these the fruit tingle stairs?

Dear oh dear....:ohno:
Note to BCC - painting an outdoor staircase in a variety of different pastel colours does not automatically make the surrounding area "vibrant":bash:
In what way does this naturally blend into the beautiful terraced parkland adjacent to it? First we had purple smoke stacks and now this.
Lets hope they don't paint Burnett Lane lime green when it gets its refirb!

let's see the end product before we totally write this off.

Leaves and debris will cover it soon enough...

for anyone interested -

Complete the survey about the future direction and utility of Mount Coot-tha

HTTP://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE:1347457273:pc=PC_5426

for anyone interested -

Complete the survey about the future direction and utility of Mount Coot-tha

HTTP://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/BCC:BASE:1347457273:pc=PC_5426

Question 12

What do you think is missing at Mt Coot-tha that would make you want to visit the area? Think in terms of facilities, activities, services and experiences you would like to have.

Adequate public transport. ideally in a few years the boggo road busway, that currently terminates at UQ, will be continued through, beside or under the university and terminate at the base of mount coot-tha, the main reason I don't visit more often is because it's a nightmare to drive over that side of town. You need to steamroll the supposed 'progressives' at UQ and get the busway out there. :D

^^ :lol: I was a little more diplomatic.

^^ :lol: I was a little more diplomatic.

hey i used comma's. given in the wrong spots but, i thought it was, quite polite.

^ aaargh... I almost had a fit trying to read that sentence :)

Carindale shopping centre has put up a history wall with pictures and info about the place since the 70's. Good photos showing the different stages. It is near the bathrooms on level 1.

Carindale shopping centre has put up a history wall with pictures and info about the place since the 70's. Good photos showing the different stages. It is near the bathrooms on level 1.

Yeah the Sunnybank Plaza has a similar history wall...makes interesting viewing..all the old farming, canefields and railway shots...

Carindale shopping centre has put up a history wall with pictures and info about the place since the 70's. Good photos showing the different stages. It is near the bathrooms on level 1.

Where exactly? Level one aint small !!
Near the Medical court end, the middle or the Myers/David Jones end?

Opposite QBD books

Opposite QBD books

Ahh... I know where - in the large hallway going to the toilets....

There is a great exhibition at the Brisbane Museum in City hall at the moment called City machine. Looks at the history of urbanity in Brisbane and has some interesting historic maps and the like.

My favourite was a map showing the plan for a canal to cut through kangaroo point.

Walking past the Australian Government Building this morning on the corner of Creek and Ann and it looks like it will be getting a refirb.
Scaffolding is being constructed.
Anybody know anything?
http://img43.imageshack.us/img43/1160/image024f.jpg

Been like this for weeks. They're ripping off the concrete....

^^ lol. Thanks - don't often walk past there and hadn't noticed. I wonder how many racing stripes are going on it?

Not sure, but i seriously hope they get every bit of concrete off it...

They've put a big tunnel around the building so it's a good indication that all that concrete is coming off...

^^
Are you refering to the precast sunshade awnings?

From www.queenstreetmall.com

Historic hotel gets a glamorous makeover
A much-loved icon on the Brisbane CBD restaurant scene has undergone an impressive new makeover to the tune of $2.4 million.

The historic Port Office Hotel, on the fringe of the City Botanic Gardens, is set to shine brighter than ever thanks to an extensive interior re-fit.

The renovations have created a more intimate dining space for the award winning Fix Restaurant and Wine Bar, and has reinvigorated the Marble Bar with a luxe new fit out.

Originally housing the Department of Harbours and Marine, the venue has undergone extensive refurbishment, the latest renovations having been completed in early 2009, and is one of the oldest buildings in Brisbane.

Located in the heart of the CBD, The Port Office Hotel is close to many other hotels and nearby accommodation as well as all forms of public transport and also boasts a host of function facilities.

From www.queenstreetmall.com

A fresh twist on a CBD favourite
One of Brisbane City's most esteemed restaurants has undergone a fresh new makeover.
Under new management, newly refurbished, and with a stellar new menu, Berkley's on Ann is located in the heart of the CBD opposite from the Central Railway Station.
Situated within the boutique-style Rendezvous Hotel, Berkley's on Ann features a stylishly modern decor and a relaxed atmosphere.
And if the impressive new interior isn't enough to lure you, perhaps one of the $12.50 lunch specials available on weekdays will do the trick.
Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and with a live music line up on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, the reinvigorated Berkley's on Ann serves up an elegant update to the Brisbane cuisine scene.

^^
Berkley's on Ann is no better than Subway, it doesn't rate a mention.
No disrespect Sky_.

A development application has been lodged for the conversion of 171 George Street (Family Services Building on the corner of George and Elizabeth Streets) into a boutique hotel.

The design includes 149 hotel rooms, a 160 seat restaurant, hotel lobby, BOH services and valet parking.

Reference number is A002205980. A small roof extension of two levels is planned.

A development application has been lodged for the conversion of 171 George Street (Family Services Building on the corner of George and Elizabeth Streets) into a boutique hotel.

The design includes 149 hotel rooms, a 160 seat restaurant, hotel lobby, BOH services and valet parking.

Reference number is A002205980. A small roof extension of two levels is planned.

That would make a stunning hotel. I'me all for it. :cheers:

I'm dead against the height extension though.

^^I agree. IMO it looks tacky.

what does the building look like? i can't picture it

^^ Would also be keen to know exactly which building this is.

Wow, what an awesome idea :)

I would love to see this go ahead, even if it meant that a small height extension was needed.

The Family Services Building is beautiful...I think I have a picture of it somewhere

You must mean this beauty, cnr of George and Elizabeth.

http://img249.imageshack.us/img249/2466/p4300011.jpg (http://img249.imageshack.us/i/p4300011.jpg/)

Yeah, that's it :)
Thanks for posting

Wow... That is noice!

Would be interested to see the roof extension. Is it going to be designed in a similar way to the rest of the building, or some attempt at putting a modern piece of plastic up there and calling it a 'fusion of old and new' or some such similar nonsense?

More like the latter, similar to the top of Macarthur Chambers at the corner of Edward and Queen if you have seen that.

See between the Comm bank building and the Hilton:

http://i264.photobucket.com/albums/ii194/Blackcaldera/IMG_0792.jpg

at least that you can't really see that add-on ^^ I think any extension on the george st one will look ridiculous. unless they get some cool melbourne archi's... but they won't. They'll probably get someone from devine to put something stupid on it like the amazing sandstone portholes on casino towers o_o

urgh... :no:

So here are some of the images from the information request.
I think they have tried to set back the addition from the edge of the building to help hide it. Works reasonably well, indeed they say if standing at street level from the opposite corner of the street you won't be able to see it. Had a bit of a laugh at a mention to a 70 story building getting built to direct north of this site. That being Empire Square which we all know died quite some time ago.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3217/171georgest1.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/5896/171georgest2.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2241/171georgest3.jpg

And an elevation for you all.
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3204/171georgestelevation.jpg

They say Ground RL is 12.610
Current roof RL is 48.957
New Roof would be RL 57.167
Total height extension = 8.2m
New building height = 44.55m

Personally I wonder if you are going to go and do this, why not make it rather obvious that the new section isn't meant to be their? IE make it completely detached and actually floating above the traditional building, like a turret. Obviously foundations and load factors would have a part to play in that as well.

PS: This developement could probably have it's own thread.

The shape of the extensionis fine, but the facade treatment is cheap. Why not some aluminium and reflective glass treatment? Glass works really well with an old/new contrast.

Agreed. They really need to fix the facade. Frankly it's awful.

Yep, even copper perhaps? That cladding is Devine spec., and is at complete odds with the majestic host it sits on. Hopefully they'll be forced to try harder.

that looks shite!!!!! reject!!!!!!

Shocking

I am thinking of submitting against it.

horrible. the hotel concept is fine, but there shold be no external modifications to the building.

which council department should we write to to complain about this? can someone in the know provide some details? also who are the architects?

You can do it through the pd online where the application is. If anyone has any dramas finding it let me know.

Buchan are the architects.

It looks like a tacky ad-on which is totally out of step with the design of the building.

It doesn't even provide a contemporary edge to the design, which might hold up for a few years at least (until it becomes horribly dated).

I remember last year being told of Dazzleland at the Myer Centre, which is sadly no longer around. One of my friends told me about it last year and she enjoyed it as a kid.

7TyvCVbBZg0

^^ AKA Tops.

http://img529.imageshack.us/img529/1203/dsc05207n.jpg

thanx ^^ i'll write a letter :D

Just about all of the older building renovations seems to come with a slight extension on top (MacArthur, McWhirters, etc). It probably won't even be noticeable from street level, although they could have assimilated it better in this case.

Even in 1954 it had some sort of ugly brick construction on its roof.

http://img208.imageshack.us/img208/4401/1954cityandsouthbris.jpg (http://img208.imageshack.us/i/1954cityandsouthbris.jpg/)

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/s...5-3102,00.html

By Darrell Giles
July 26, 2009 12:00am

BRISBANE has moved a step closer to having a mega cruise ship terminal to welcome the superliners that have increasingly begun to snub the city.

The State Government is considering a terminal at Fisherman Islands, with a decision possible by December, documents obtained by The Sunday Mail reveal.

The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation, headed by Treasurer Andrew Fraser, will investigate the "demand for high-frequency mega cruise ship visits to Brisbane".

The Government is expected to team with Carnival Australia to work out a plan for the Fisherman Islands terminal, with Carnival the likely primary user of the facility.

Carnival Australia - the parent of cruise liner group Cunard Line - dropped Brisbane from its 2009 schedule after the embarrassing Queen Victoria episode last year.

The company's 90,000- tonne, 20-storey superliner was too big to fit under the Gateway Bridge and had to dock at the Fisherman Islands grain and container terminal rather than the city's main terminal at Hamilton.

The visit was made worse by rain and passengers had to wade through mud and ankle-deep water to get to buses for the ride to the city.

Carnival's corporate affairs director Sandy Olsen said Cunard decided to avoid Brisbane after negative passenger feedback following that visit.

She said a recent Access Economics report estimated the cruising industry to be worth $242 million a year to the Queensland economy.

"That is fantastic news if the Government goes ahead with these plans," Ms Olsen said yesterday.

"It will have enormous economic benefit to Brisbane and Queensland."

She said the cruising industry had grown 20 per cent a year in Australia for the past five years and Queensland was best-placed to cash in on the boom.

Carnival - which also operates P&O Cruises - said that the group would base a big ship, the Pacific Dawn, at Hamilton's Portside Wharf complex from the end of 2009.

The new roof extension looks very much 'plonked' on top.

Yay another cruise ship terminal because Brisbane needs another Multiplex / State Gov disaster. It should have been built before the bridge in the first place!

The new roof extension looks very much 'plonked' on top.

I know nothing about architecture but I can't believe anyone worth any salt at all would even consider coming up with something as stupid as that.

I've already sent my submission in and I hope the rest of you do also.

Yay another cruise ship terminal because Brisbane needs another Multiplex / State Gov disaster. It should have been built before the bridge in the first place!

how has the first one been a disaster, the QLD govt got a cruise terminal for free, not only that the demand has been more then enough that a terminal expansion or a new terminal would have been required in the next 10years regardless

^^And it was always known that it was temporary and that only small ships could come in.

If it wasn't for this terminal, there may never have been demand created to even think about the bigger terminal.

I know nothing about architecture but I can't believe anyone worth any salt at all would even consider coming up with something as stupid as that.

I've already sent my submission in and I hope the rest of you do also.

Buchan is the Architect - the same architects as Vision.

^^And it was always known that it was temporary and that only small ships could come in.

If it wasn't for this terminal, there may never have been demand created to even think about the bigger terminal.



this is true, i didn't think of it that way.

^^And it was always known that it was temporary and that only small ships could come in.

If it wasn't for this terminal, there may never have been demand created to even think about the bigger terminal.



Buchan is the Architect - the same architects as Vision.

and Hilton

Woolloongabba antiques precinct revitalises suburb

DAPPER Cameron Kent was all smiles at the opening of the Woolloongabba antiques precinct while his parents staged a sale at Antique Fineart Auctions.

The $3 million first stage of the urban renewal project revealed footpaths up to 6.75m wide sitting flush with the road and funky polyurethane-cast street lighting meant to evoke an outdoor loungeroom.

Brisbane City councillor Amanda Cooper said the project aimed to revitalise an historic area of Brisbane while encouraging retailers to flow out on to the street. Eventually, this part of Logan Rd will be able to be closed off for night markets and other events, the roundabout at one end will be reconfigured, a business or other venture will be encouraged to move into the heritage-listed Energex substation and an urban common will be landscaped next to the purple-clad Clem 7 ventilation stack

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25839262-3102,00.html

Get used to high density housing, says Bligh government

By Craig Johnstone

July 28, 2009 11:26am

SUBURBS such as Chermside, Indooroopilly and Cleveland will be transformed into places of high density development under a radical new plan to stop urban sprawl.

The Bligh government's new South East Queensland Regional Plan identifies those suburbs as being ready to hold housing development of up to 120 dwellings per hectare.

Other suburbs will need to get used to residential densities on a par with Fortitude Valley, as the region's population is expected to grow from 2.8 million to 4.4 million people by 2031.

The plan envisages that half the estimated 754,000 new homes the region requires to cope with an explosion in population growth will need to be built alongside existing housing.

The will force the region's councils to approve development only with a designated urban footprint.

The plan calls for 156,000 additional homes in Brisbane, of which 138,000 would be infill housing.

Planning Minister Stirling Hinchliffe denied the plan would see high rise development in many suburbs but said residents had to get used to higher density living.

He said the regional plan would encourage development away from the coast and towards a corridor west of Brisbane.

The plan is expected to protect more than 85 per cent of the region from urban development by restricting development outside an area known as the ``urban footprint'' and identifying areas within the urban footprint for future urban growth.

Mr Hinchliffe said the plan set an urban dwelling target of 15 homes per hectare.

``That is a style of housing and a style of residential accommodation that people in southeast Queensland know very well if they know suburbs like New Farm, like Coorparoo,'' he said.

Mr Hinchliffe said he was committed to protecting ``the great backyard'' as a housing option.

``But we can't have that across the whole of the region without breaking out and creating that sprawl that we don't want to have, without damaging the 85 per cent of the southeast that's being protected,'' he said.

The plan also contains a strategy to protect koalas, whose habitat is gradually being developed.

The region covers an area of 22,890 square kilometres, stretching 240km from Noosa in the north to the Queensland-NSW border in the south, and 160km west to Toowoomba.

with AAP

Source:http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25846555-952,00.html


Comments:


they have been talking about this will I was in primary school, i am now 40, do you think the slow brains in planning will go any faster now?
Posted by: Brad Belling of Spring Hill Brisbane 1:08pm today

One way of ensuring Aussies whinge as much as poms. Stop poplucation influx. Promote birth control - less C emmissions to boot.
Posted by: pk of cq 1:05pm today

I know we are not going to have the high density housing problem here in Highgate hill and I know why!!! At least while Anna bligh is the Premier...
Posted by: majid of highgate hill 1:05pm today

My goodness trying to get from one place to another on Saturday morning via Gympie Road is an abosolute nightmare now imagine what it is going to be like when Capt'n Blight gets this new radical plan up and running!!!!!!! Where is she getting all the money from all of a sudden?? She and her useless government have to go!!!!
Posted by: Dawn Blair of Chermside 1:03pm today

It's already too late to save most of the area they are talking about. Brisbane has become one gigantic urban sprawl from Tweed Heads to Beerburrum. There's a couple of pockets of trees in between but the rest is already housing. Governments should have been initiating these higher density living reforms 30 years ago. Now it's just too late as there are too many people screaming at the top of their lungs for the lot with cream on top.
Posted by: John Michaels of Overseas 1:00pm today

Higher density is the solution to most of our problems in Brisbane. Things like our public transport system, commute to work, bicycle corridors etc. can be improved and shaped when there is a larger population utilising the resource.

The concept is Transport Oriented Development and the new SEQRP only furthers our achievement of this goal. Most of the issues raised by the readers here are in one way or more addressed by higher density living.

I am a fan of the australian dream of a backyard and a bbq for every house, but there is simply not enough land and not enough infrastructure available to continue on with this dream.
Posted by: Planner of Brisbane 12:58pm today

So here are some of the images from the information request.
I think they have tried to set back the addition from the edge of the building to help hide it. Works reasonably well, indeed they say if standing at street level from the opposite corner of the street you won't be able to see it. Had a bit of a laugh at a mention to a 70 story building getting built to direct north of this site. That being Empire Square which we all know died quite some time ago.

http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/3217/171georgest1.jpg

http://img20.imageshack.us/img20/2241/171georgest3.jpg


It doesn't look that bad from the north comming towards Elizabeth Street, but the view comming from over near the gardens etc on the west side (yuk) it looks shocking and has no architectural blend to the old bldg..

The worst part of the bldg is the small windows at the top of a nice heritage bldg... Those windows are crap..

^^ i honestly didnt even notice the extension on top

Just remember that this is designed so that it isn't visible from direct street level or across the street for that matter. So I think it will be barely visible unless you know what you are looking for. Of course the renders don't look great, but we all know some renders look crap and end up great, and of course vice versa. If this extension improves the viability of the proposed development, and will help keep the main building in tact more, it could be rather welcome. You know a hotel will look after the building really well, as presentation is everything.

hello Brisbane people, I'm just wondering if anyone knows roughly how many carparks are available within the Brisbane CBD/city centre, caus I want to compare it to my carpark infested city centre of Adelaide, which had over 71,000 (on & off street) carparks as of 2006 and more multi-storey lots have beeb built since due to council regulations that enforce quite high minimum carparking provisions for all new office developments. I am completed embarrased by my city for creating this over the top car dependence, and from what I know the cost of parking in Brisbane is quite high (which it should be) so Im interested in stats so I can send my Adelaide City Council one hell of an email

thanks

QUT Gardens Point campus L-Block building to be demolished
IT'S been a blot on Brisbane's CBD landscape for more than 40 years but Queensland University of Technology's prison-like L-Block will soon be no more.

The brown brick and cement building, whose gloomy facade looms over the Riverside Expressway, will be demolished to make way for a $200 million science and technology research and teaching precinct at QUT's Gardens Point campus.

QUT vice-chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake said yesterday the last $25 million worth of funding had been provided this week by American billionaire Chuck Feeney's Atlantic Philanthropies charity.

Prof Coaldrake said demolition work had begun, starting with the old engineering workshops and the Kindler Theatre.

"Over the next five months we'll be demolishing the other buildings on site," Prof Coaldrake said.

"The last will be L-Block, which will go early next year."

Five buildings will be removed, including the campus swimming pool and gym, to make way for two large, state-of-the-art institutes encompassing the faculties of science, technology, built environment and engineering.

The precinct's design, by architectural firms Donovan Hill and Wilson Architects, means Old Government House, which has recently been refurbished and opened to the public, will no longer be boxed in.

The campus will gain a new gym, Olympic-size pool and retail and recreational space under the redevelopment, Prof Coaldrake said.


http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,27574,25856317-3102,00.html

Why coulnd't this have happened before i finished up there. Great news for QUT GP!

I was at the domestic airport the other day to collect a friend coming in from Melbourne. It was in the evening and I was looking outside the terminal (out the window) and I noticed that in the south you can see this dirty industrial area all lit up (looks like oil refineries) and I have also seen this place looking north from Wynnum (I am assuming it is the same area).

At first I thought it was just the Port of Brisbane, but looking at Google Streetview this isn't what the port actually looks like.
Does anyone know where this area actually is? I haven't been able to figure it out...

Does anyone know what they are doing at the cultural centre along the river frontage between the victoria and kurilpa bridge's??? I have no idea why they have put up graffiti art covered construction fences.

I was at the domestic airport the other day to collect a friend coming in from Melbourne. It was in the evening and I was looking outside the terminal (out the window) and I noticed that in the south you can see this dirty industrial area all lit up (looks like oil refineries) and I have also seen this place looking north from Wynnum (I am assuming it is the same area).

At first I thought it was just the Port of Brisbane, but looking at Google Streetview this isn't what the port actually looks like.
Does anyone know where this area actually is? I haven't been able to figure it out...

Maybe the BP refinery at Bulwer Island?

Yeah I tried looking on street view and couldnt see much

Maybe the BP refinery at Bulwer Island?

Yeah it would be the refinery!

^^ yep. If you head down Pritchard St towards Lytton Road its lit up like skyscrapers in a CBD.

QUT Gardens Point campus L-Block building to be demolished
IT'S been a blot on Brisbane's CBD landscape for more than 40 years but Queensland University of Technology's prison-like L-Block will soon be no more.

The brown brick and cement building, whose gloomy facade looms over the Riverside Expressway, will be demolished to make way for a $200 million science and technology research and teaching precinct at QUT's Gardens Point campus.

QUT vice-chancellor Professor Peter Coaldrake said yesterday the last $25 million worth of funding had been provided this week by American billionaire Chuck Feeney's Atlantic Philanthropies charity.

Prof Coaldrake said demolition work had begun, starting with the old engineering workshops and the Kindler Theatre.

"Over the next five months we'll be demolishing the other buildings on site," Prof Coaldrake said.

"The last will be L-Block, which will go early next year."

Five buildings will be removed, including the campus swimming pool and gym, to make way for two large, state-of-the-art institutes encompassing the faculties of science, technology, built environment and engineering.

The precinct's design, by architectural firms Donovan Hill and Wilson Architects, means Old Government House, which has recently been refurbished and opened to the public, will no longer be boxed in.

The campus will gain a new gym, Olympic-size pool and retail and recreational space under the redevelopment, Prof Coaldrake said.


http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,27574,25856317-3102,00.html

:applause::applause::applause:

Any Renders for the QUT project as yet?

Any Renders for the QUT project as yet?
http://www.wilsonarchitects.com.au/inprogress_qut_main.html

Brisbane now has a Supermarket open past 9pm on week nights and 5.30/6pm on weekends. The Woolworths at the Airport Village (I assume this is right near DFO) is now open 7am-10pm Weekdays and 7am-7pm Weekends. Could be a sign towards the future of further relaxation of our trading hours here in Queensland.

The SuperIGA in East Brisbane has huge opening hours, and was previously 24-hours.

Brisbane now has a Supermarket open past 9pm on week nights and 5.30/6pm on weekends. The Woolworths at the Airport Village (I assume this is right near DFO) is now open 7am-10pm Weekdays and 7am-7pm Weekends. Could be a sign towards the future of further relaxation of our trading hours here in Queensland.

I thought it had been trading those hours since it opened :?

I thought it had been trading those hours since it opened :?

You may be right, I'm not sure. Just saw it mentioned on a document from BNE airport and at that late at night thought it was a change, but perhaps it has been from the start and it was just a reminder. Still something perhaps handy to know if you live over that side of town.

need more 24hr super markets, its bullshit that i cant go to the shops at 2am in the morning and buy myself some misc items.

I loved it in Canberra, i worked shiftwork, and i used to head to woolworths at 1am in the morning to get 'party' supplies. Not only that the canberra supermarkets sold alcohol in the isles, although the alcoholic isles got closed off at 10pm.

You can but alcohol in a Canberra supermarket at 10pm and a chicken at 1am - who cares? I actually spent two weeks on business in NYC for the first time last month and was surprised that it is not as 24 hour as it is made out to be!

95% of servos are open all night. If you want something a large servo can't provide then... Well... I don't know... BUY IT DURING THE DAY!

Does anyone know what they are doing at the cultural centre along the river frontage between the victoria and kurilpa bridge's??? I have no idea why they have put up graffiti art covered construction fences.

State Library of Queensland, The Edge art+place.

http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/about/work/pubart

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sa7vlWdbJpE

Went out to Redcliffe today, having issues with the camera. Anyway I noticed smog over Brisbane was very bad since we haven't had rain and wind for a while. There was a obvious orange/brown cloud over the city, expecially the port.

Went out to Redcliffe today, having issues with the camera. Anyway I noticed smog over Brisbane was very bad since we haven't had rain and wind for a while. There was a obvious orange/brown cloud over the city, expecially the port.

Yeah it was bad when i went up in the plane, look at the shots i got, and i've got more, all you see is a thick blanket of smog, reminded me of Los Angeles!!!!!!!!!!!
Brisbane CBD from 14km away
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2476/3799763395_849d50ab75_b_d.jpg
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2509/3799765707_74d6f5b089_b_d.jpg

^
honestly, it's not that bad. Nowhere near LA levels.

One thing to keep in mind is there is a bit of backburning going on in the region, and with the low wind/rain it's getting diffused but not removed.

95% of servos are open all night. If you want something a large servo can't provide then... Well... I don't know... BUY IT DURING THE DAY!

in larger cities, not everyone can buy things during the day, a lot more people working shift work, a lot more insomniacs

Canberra isnt even a large city but it had the demand for 24hr shops

There has been a lot of backburning going on recently - it's been on the news. It's partly responsible for the haze around Brisbane of late. There's no way LAGreek's second picture is that hazy entirely due to pollution.

Further to that, not all haze is smog.

^
honestly, it's not that bad. Nowhere near LA levels.

One thing to keep in mind is there is a bit of backburning going on in the region, and with the low wind/rain it's getting diffused but not removed.

Los Angeles looks exactly like that on a typical day from air, not on its worst but a typical day, i lived there for 2 years, hence where my username came from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yea, but as I said, unlike LA the haze is not entirely polution/smog. At that time it was the result of backburning.

Brisbane rarely has any noticeable haze that is actually smog.

in larger cities, not everyone can buy things during the day, a lot more people working shift work, a lot more insomniacs

Canberra isnt even a large city but it had the demand for 24hr shops

It's got nothing to do with demand. Coles and Wollworthes would have 24hr stores tomorrow if allowed. It has to do with legislation and keeping the corner store (read small business owners) happy.

It's got nothing to do with demand. Coles and Wollworthes would have 24hr stores tomorrow if allowed. It has to do with legislation and keeping the corner store (read small business owners) happy.

how many corner stores are open at 1am in the morning?

Haha - of course it has to do with demand. They're businesses! If the benefits of opening all night don't outweigh the costs, then they're simply not going to do it. Why would they? Any business owners who did that would be nuts in the head.

Even Coles and Woolies only do it in areas where there is sufficient demand (with their servos).

^^ No, Marty_the_LNP_voter_who_wears_it_on_his_sleeve_, it has to do with legislation.

Coles and Woolworths would open at a loss if it meant shutting down independent and small business owners. They are scrupulous and are taking over the nation, one small, character-filled inner-city pub at a time.

I take your point - it was short sighted of me not to think of it from that angle. I would still respectfully disagree with the statement that "demand has nothing to do with it." Other factors are at work, but demand is still inevitably one of them.

And yes, how I adore the LNP. You know the new billboards of the great Mr Langbroek? I have copies of that wallpapered around my bedroom. I'd sell my soul to the LNP if I could :bash:

(yes, that was a joke).

Los Angeles looks exactly like that on a typical day from air, not on its worst but a typical day, i lived there for 2 years, hence where my username came from!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I thought you were the greek?

I thought you were the greek?

Hahahahaha, i meant to put LA as in Los Angeles, it was a quick stupid username, lol, i alwayz wonder why i called it that, lol

Who cares if a supermarket is open 24 hrs - at least get main stream retailers to open their stores till at least 9pm on weeknights in the CBD.... common! Are we living in the 20th century still or what!

^^
I agree, I mean they have late night retailing at Surfers Paradise (til 10pm mostly), why not Brisbane? The Queen Street Mall is busy well after the close of trading and more people would be attracted to the area if it was open later.

I just bought Radical Brisbane - an unruly history and Made in Queensland. Quite good reads so far... anyone else read them?

how many corner stores are open at 1am in the morning?

There are 24hr corner stores around, especially near the inner-city (not just 7-11's).

There would be pretty loud complaints, not just from corner stores but from fruit store owners, butchers, etc, all of whom have probably increased their hours already due to supermarkets being allowed to open until 9pm. There will be complaints of bias towards the major chains.

Also, even where 24hr shopping is allowed, it is only the high volumn stores that remain open.

There are 24hr corner stores around, especially near the inner-city (not just 7-11's).

There would be pretty loud complaints, not just from corner stores but from fruit store owners, butchers, etc, all of whom have probably increased their hours already due to supermarkets being allowed to open until 9pm. There will be complaints of bias towards the major chains.

Also, even where 24hr shopping is allowed, it is only the high volumn stores that remain open.

give me a break, its stupid that people should be forced to shop at corner stores which overcharge them and dont have the 'variety' that they want, just because of some stupid legislation.

People can whinge and cry about the 'corner store' operator all day long, but it doesnt take a genius to look around and discover that the majority of all stores opened past 10pm are owned by a major chain of some sort these days anyway, 7-11, night owl, service stations etc.

The reality is that there is a 24hr workforce in Brisbane these days, due to various reasons, these people need to be able to shop when they want as well. I worked night shift in Canberra, and the 24hr shopping was a fantastic option, sometimes when i finished work at 2am in the morning i went and picked up groceries for the next day.

BNE01 can i ask whether you were one of the genius's who campaigned against 7 day trading as well?

give me a break, its stupid that people should be forced to shop at corner stores which overcharge them and dont have the 'variety' that they want, just because of some stupid legislation.

People can whinge and cry about the 'corner store' operator all day long, but it doesnt take a genius to look around and discover that the majority of all stores opened past 10pm are owned by a major chain of some sort these days anyway, 7-11, night owl, service stations etc.

The reality is that there is a 24hr workforce in Brisbane these days, due to various reasons, these people need to be able to shop when they want as well. I worked night shift in Canberra, and the 24hr shopping was a fantastic option, sometimes when i finished work at 2am in the morning i went and picked up groceries for the next day.

BNE01 can i ask whether you were one of the genius's who campaigned against 7 day trading as well?

Absolutely agree....

Well said, TOCC, KDreamer and Sky_ITL.

give me a break, its stupid that people should be forced to shop at corner stores which overcharge them and dont have the 'variety' that they want, just because of some stupid legislation.

People can whinge and cry about the 'corner store' operator all day long, but it doesnt take a genius to look around and discover that the majority of all stores opened past 10pm are owned by a major chain of some sort these days anyway, 7-11, night owl, service stations etc.

The reality is that there is a 24hr workforce in Brisbane these days, due to various reasons, these people need to be able to shop when they want as well. I worked night shift in Canberra, and the 24hr shopping was a fantastic option, sometimes when i finished work at 2am in the morning i went and picked up groceries for the next day.

BNE01 can i ask whether you were one of the genius's who campaigned against 7 day trading as well?

I didn't complain against anything. I would love 24 hr shopping. It is crazy that Coffs Harbours 50,000 residents get two 24hr a day supermarkets and we don't get one!

But you have to remember that outside of South East Queensland, hardly anyone else in Queensland even has Sunday trading. There is always going to be a vocal minority against changing grocery store opening hours. Both sides of politics want that small business vote.

Agreed. Also has Saturday been shaved back a 1/2 hour from 5:30pm to 5pm? I noticed Coles and Woolworths shut early the last two weekends.

Cairns stores are even open longer than Brisbane stores on Saturdays.

David Jones QueensPlaza's hours are getting longer! Now open at
9:30am - 6pm Monday to Wednesday,
9:30am - 7pm Thurdays,
9:30am - 9pm Friday,
9am - 5:30pm Saturday and
10am - 6pm Sundays.

From the wageline website:
Trading hours
The trading hours of shops in Queensland are regulated by way of the Trading (Allowable Hours) Act 1990 (PDF, 450 kB), supported by the Trading (Allowable Hours) Regulation 2004 (PDF, 204 kB) and various trading hours orders made by the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission. Generally, the minimum allowable trading hours throughout Queensland are:
8.00am to 9.00pm Monday to Friday; and
8.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday (extended hours may apply in certain areas)
Different extended trading applies on Sunday and certain public holidays. Refer to our non-exempt shops resource page for the current hours of trade.Hours of trade will depend on the classification of shops. Shops are mainly classed as:
Exempt shops;
Independent retail shops; or
Non-exempt shops.

It then goes on to define the various types of shops.

William Jolly Bridge goes under the spotlight

Tony Moore
August 13, 2009 - 4:40PM
Tonight if you are driving past the William Jolly Bridge - stretching from North Quay across to the Gallery of Modern Art - you can see a trial of the light show that will be a 150th birthday present to Brisbane.

A range of images, including William Jolly's signature, Brisbane's floral emblem the red poinsettia, the Brisbane flag and signatures from some of the city's forefathers, will be beamed across the bridge.

Brisbane City Council is testing the display in preparation for Brisbane's Creative Lighting Project, which will light up the William Jolly Bridge from September 5.

All up, a dozen images will shine across the span as Brisbane City Council trials the project.

The bridge lighting project will mark the day that Brisbane gained its independence from New South Wales on September 6.

Sydney artist Ian de Gruchy was commissioned earlier this year to put the dramatic light show together.

Mr de Gruchy has worked throughout Australia, most prominently in Melbourne and at the Adelaide Arts Centre, to produce striking light displays.

Brisbane City councillor Amanda Cooper, who chairs Brisbane's Neighbourhood Planning committee and will launch tonight's trial, said a section of the show would highlight Brisbane's indigenous background.

"One of the major partnerships we formed for this project with Indigenous artist Lilla Watson bases designs on her 2006 collection Kurilpa Country, which features the river, fish, and rainforest," Cr Cooper said.

"For some time now, Council has worked with the Museum of Brisbane and artist Ian de Gruchy to create designs that have special significance for Brisbane."

The designs will change nightly from September 5 to mid October, then weekly until December, dropping to special occasions in the New Year.

The bridge will be lit by lighthouses at Kurilpa Park and the Riverside Expressway.

A second trial will be conducted tomorrow night.


FROM: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/william-jolly-bridge-goes-under-the-spotlight-20090813-ejl5.html

Hmm... Might get to see it tomorrow. Hopefully it's good!

This will be ready in time for Riverfire on September 12th. Nice.

Does that mean, by the new year, it will only be turned on for special occasions or they'll only change the image on special occasions?

Agreed. Also has Saturday been shaved back a 1/2 hour from 5:30pm to 5pm? I noticed Coles and Woolworths shut early the last two weekends.

Cairns stores are even open longer than Brisbane stores on Saturdays.

Tourist areas are allowed to have an extra 30 mins opening time on a Saturday afternoon. Cairns would come under these rules, and the couple of inner city supermarkets (Spring Hill and City) are also open until 5.30. Suburban Brisbane ones are all 5pm closing time.

^ No they're not - Garden City ones are open till 9pm each day (during the week anyway).

I was talking about saturday.

Toowong and St Lucia used to be 5:30, I am sure of it.

Just in case anyone wants to know, apparently the UQ Dental School in the city is being relocated to a new 'medical campus at Herston' and the new campus will be operational by 2011.

Interesting to see what happens with the old Dental School

Being heritage listed, probably nothing much.

^^
The older dental building is nice and worthy of a heritage listing, but what about the shatty one next door (closer to Edward St)

they're almost finished doing up an old 8 storey building at herston... it's for uq, could be for dental school but it says there it won't be operational till 2011.

Not sure if this has been mentioned already, the Carseldine/Fitzgibbon development scheme was approved late last month:
http://www.ulda.qld.gov.au/01_cms/details.asp?ID=33
Located 12 kilometres from the Brisbane CBD, the Fitzgibbon UDA covers 295-hectares of land in the northern suburbs of Fitzgibbon, Carseldine, Bald Hills, Taigum and Deagon. The Fitzgibbon UDA is bounded by the Aspley School district to the south, Telegraph Road to the north, Gympie Road to the west and the Gateway Motorway to the east.

Due to the rarity of greenfield sites in close proximity to transport networks in Brisbane, the Fitzgibbon UDA is uniquely positioned for transformation into a modern residential suburb developed on transit oriented principles, that includes bushland and significant open space.

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/4654/picture3wwz.png
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/3636/picture1asv.png
http://img23.imageshack.us/img23/4364/picture2idw.png

This is great news, finally apartment blocks are starting to pop up in areas other than major suburbs.

I did mention it a while back. They have released the first parcel NE of train station for houses/units to 3 stories, and have been doing roadworks for a while now.

Photo of William Jolly Bridge from Thursday night.

http://i97.photobucket.com/albums/l228/johnthay/IMG_0377.jpg

not bad, they should do it for the riverside expressway though

That's really interesting.

not bad, they should do it for the riverside expressway though

Wow, that's an awesome idea...imagine how much better the expressway would look at night time!!

Thanks for the photo Duke :)

CP1 has its cleaning gantry out. Happens twice a year, I believe - somebody may want to get a photo.

^^It would take days to clean though wouldn't it?

Probably - I'm just saying, its out and it its a rare occurrence.