first thread was nearly 600 posts, time for new one.
old thread>
http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=305087&page=24

^^I was suprised it took so long to get to 600 really:)

just read fin rev and theres an article about Brisbanes impending resi glut. not good, they reckon so many units are coming on line this year and next. If these new big towers are going to get up they better start soon or they will become an oversupply victim.

^^I'm just hoping this will lower the price a tad and people will start buying units instead of houses. Brisbanes population is increasing enough to fill Aurora every week!!

I don't think we have to worry about an oversupply, if anything we need more of a balance in vacancy rates.

The article stated Brisbane's aparments were at a critical level atm at 2.5% and that vacancy will peak in the 2006-2007 period, becoming even more tight then now. However, in the 2007-2008 the rate will begin to dramatically change direction.
However, I think this article is a bit of bullsh*t. It is afterall only speculation, and I don't recall the source of the predictions being a particulary reliable won.
Afterall, all you have to do is read NewUrbans' Quote thingy, and it'll give you every reason to believe that living in Brisbane City can only get better. :)

Brisbane was supposed to have a big apartment slump a few years back and it never eventuated.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h318/cj_81_/Waterloo.jpg

Feel free to post this in other threads :)

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h318/cj_81_/BombayExpress.jpg

Suncorp merger pips consolidation
The Australian
October 26, 2006

SUNCORP has deferred plans for a 35,000sqm consolidation of its Brisbane operations following its $7.9 billion takeover bid for Promina.

The insurance group, unavailable for comment yesterday, is understood to have gone cold on the consolidation plans and will await completion of the Promina merger before committing itself to any new space.

The insurer currently occupies the 25-level Suncorp Plaza tower on the corner of Turbot and Albert streets in Brisbane's CBD and the Suncorp Centre at 36 Wickham Terrace.

The group has also begun moving staff into ABN AMRO's 55,000sqm Brisbane Square, between Queen, Adelaide and George streets and North Quay.

Suncorp will share that building with Brisbane City Council.

While the bulk of Promina's office space was in Sydney - where the group was headquartered at Victoria Avenue in Chatswood, north of Sydney's CBD - the merger will also cause uncertainty over future space requirements in Brisbane and Melbourne. Suncorp's move away from consolidation plans could temporarily relieve some pressure in the surging Brisbane market, where new space is hotly contested.

Also in the market for major office space requirements in the Brisbane CBD are Telstra (55,000sqm) and the Australian Taxation Office (8000sqm).

Suncorp's expressions-of-interest campaign for 35,000sqm of space in Brisbane's CBD was part of a broader consolidation push, with the group last November announcing it had leased 17,200sqm of space over 10 years in Commonwealth Property Office Fund's 259 George Street Tower in Sydney.

Suncorp will consolidate four of its existing Sydney CBD offices, including 52 Clarence Street, 117 Clarence Street, 66 Clarence Street and 111 Elizabeth Street into the George Street building when it has been refurbished in 2007.

Promina's 15-level Chatswood headquarters is expected to come under review following the merger.

Promina sold the tower to Record Realty in January last year for $86 million, but at that time the group signed a seven-year lease over the building at $6.4 million a year, increasing by a fixed 3 per cent annually.

^^ Interesting... so if the merger does go ahead would Promina be completely swallowed by Suncorp and relocated to Brisbane?

From http://www.bh.com.au/news/ViewArticle.aspx?ArtID=143

$80M deal to develop Queensland's new Blood Bank

The Australian Red Cross Blood Service (ARCBS), through a pioneering partnership with Baulderstone Hornibrook’s Capital Solutions, the Queensland University of Technology (QUT), and publicly listed ING Health Care Fund, will move into a new, purpose-built Brisbane Operations Centre at the award-winning Kelvin Grove Urban Village.



The building will be developed on a 6,896sq m site owned by QUT in the centre of the Kelvin Grove Urban Village and will also house new QUT clinical and health facilities as well as the long-awaited physical activity centre.



The development is significant for Queensland, as it delivers state-of-the-art health and research facilities in a ground-breaking development that sees all parties involved benefiting from the arrangement.



Capital Solutions generated the deal with QUT and ING, to offer the ARCBS major tenant status in what will be a signature building.



The construction arm of Baulderstone Hornibrook has started work on the site, which is located in the Town Square on the main intersection of Musk Avenue and Blamey Street in the Urban Village.



Capital Solutions Managing Director, Michael Still said the development was another example of the company’s ability to bring together these new partnerships, which enable the creation of a significant asset.



“This development is the result of a very valuable and forward-thinking partnership to create social infrastructure that will serve the community for future generations.” said Mr Still.



Capital Solutions has been working with the university sector on a number of innovative Joint-Venture projects, including developments at Macquarie University, ANU in Canberra, Wollongong University and now QUT with ARCBS.



ARCBS will make this historic move after more than 40 years in its current Queen Street location. The lease agreement is for a prime term of 20 years with optional lease periods attached.



The new state-of-the-art facility will house the ARCBS’s testing, processing, distribution, research and administration functions, and will be the most modern of its kind in the country. The new location puts Blood Bank on the doorstep of its single biggest customer – the Royal Brisbane Hospital.



ARCBS Chief Executive Officer, Dr Robert Hetzel said upgrading to a specially-designed facility would allow for an increased processing capacity and the opportunity for new research.



“This will serve as an access practice right around the world,” said Dr Hetzel.



“The move could not come at a better time for ARCBS as it looks to expand research facilities and technology alongside QUT.



“As a result of the increased processing capacity, the Red Cross will be able to introduce new techniques and equipment to further improve the quality of blood and blood products throughout Queensland – particularly in regional Queensland.



“Kelvin Grove Urban Village fitted the bill from a cultural change aspect and there is a lot of synergy with the city.”



The Vice-Chancellor of QUT, Professor Peter Coaldrake, said the agreement signalled a ‘true public-private partnership’.



“It has been a really interesting journey between the four major parties: Capital Solutions, ARCBS, ING and QUT.



“We are looking forward to the new development, which will be used for teaching, research and community development activities.



“In addition, the location of the new ARCBS facility adjacent to QUT’s Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation provides additional research and development opportunities for both organisations.”



“What we have is effectively two main entities supported by government in a purpose-built precinct. It’s a win-win situation.”



Capital Solutions’ Queensland Director, Markets, Malcolm McClelland was pleased with the way the partnership developed: “We have taken the time to understand the needs and requirements of a diverse group of stakeholders and then tailor an outcome, that is not only functionally excellent from the user group’s point of view, but also an asset in the form of land and buildings that is readily accepted within the traditional property, institutional and financial markets,” he said. “This type of true partnership is the way of the future for developments of such significant import.”



“Capital Solutions has a number of other ground-breaking projects in progress, which we expect to announce shortly. We are always looking to link with organisations and institutions in projects where we can add value to their existing operations and help realize their longer term vision.” He said.

Promina will not be 'moved' to Brisbane. Once the merger process is complete (pending regulatory and shareholder approval) sites will then be identified where site consolidation can exist. Don't expect too much for around 2 years.

This cracks me up:

Also in the market for major office space requirements in the Brisbane CBD are Telstra (55,000sqm) and the Australian Taxation Office (8000sqm).

So 55k, then the next biggest is 8k. Yeah, massive demand.

Promina won't be packed up and moved to Brisbane. Part of it's appeal to Suncorp in the first place is that Suncorp is already a strong brand in QLD, while Promina has a lot of activity further south through its different brands, such as AAMI, APIA, Vero, etc. As far as I can tell Suncorp doesn't really have any seperate brands and markets everything under the Suncorp name, which is almost no penetration in the market down south.

Anyway, its far too early to try figure out where office space will be because it's not even close to being a done deal. ACCC could interfere and with the possibilty that the deal might not be done its been widely reported that there are a few predators circling Suncorp itself. One name that keeps coming up is Westpac.

^^ Westpac stated that it has no interest in Suncorp... but I'm sure others are... I just hope this deal goes ahead. I don't see anything wrong with it myself.

^^ Westpac stated that it has no interest in Suncorp... but I'm sure others are... I just hope this deal goes ahead. I don't see anything wrong with it myself.

They have hardly said they were not interested, just a little late. And if they were of course they would say the opposite - there is no point in creating an environment where the market expects you to make a bid. The only reason Suncorp went for this deal was to protect itself as it was on the verge of receiving a takeover approach by HBOS (owner of bankwest) and maybe Westpac.

Suncorp would be difficult and risky buy anyway. It's operations are too intertwined and its protected by the QLD government. Which is probably why no one has bought it yet.

If it is bought it will by a consortium and will be carved up. i.e. banking operations to someone, insurance operations to someone else. But buying Promina if the ACCC allows it will be a pretty good defensive move by Suncorp to thwart any potential buyers.

I just want to clear a couple of things up here, so please forgive me for going a little off-topic.

... As far as I can tell Suncorp doesn't really have any seperate brands and markets everything under the Suncorp name, which is almost no penetration in the market down south.

Suncorp owns GIO insurance, which has a reasonable share of the NSW/VIC insurance market (not huge, but certainly not insignificant). In addition, Suncorp underwrites and administers AMP insurance which makes for big bucks in commercial areas. Also for the record, Suncorp is majority shareholder of RACQ and LJ Hooker, and also owns RACT in Tasmania.

As for Suncorp being a takeover target, while there was heavy speculation in the marketplace recently, nobody made a formal or even an informal offer to Suncorp. It was all hot air -- nobody approached Suncorp and wanted to have a look through the books.

I heavily doubt Suncorp will shift all operations to Brisbane after the Promina merger. I suspect they'll ramp up operations in Sydney as that's where Promina is situated now, and the business was looking to expand further in NSW even before the move on Promina.

I think the ACCC wouldn't allow a takeover that large, buying Suncorp would create a huge monopoly and I doubt they would allow it..

Does anyone know why they are ripping up the South-Eastern Busway atm?

It can't be more than a few years old so surely it can't need resurfacing already? (well all evidence to the contrary it seems).

It won't be, but it would be great if they magically installed some light rail lines on it. :)

I think the ACCC wouldn't allow a takeover that large, buying Suncorp would create a huge monopoly and I doubt they would allow it..



What are you talking about? Size does not always equate to monopolistic attributes. The ACCC does not automatically reject an offer because of market capitalisation. They focus on market share and reject a bid that would ‘substantially reduce competition’.

A combined Suncorp and Westpac would command a smaller market share than NAB or CBA. Market share between PNM and SUN is the real issue (very uncompetitive). Retail banking would make up a small component of a combined PNM/SUN group (I suspect this would be sold off later down the track to focus on Insurance).

Also, Westpac and more so HBOS are significantly under represented in Queensland. Hence, ACCC would not object. Considering ACCC allowed the Toll/Patrick merger (massive monopoly which should have been rejected) this would not be a problem for a Westpac/Suncorp deal.

However, PMN and SUN represent a greater challenge in getting ACCC approval because of the large market share a combined entity would have in domestic insurance. I suspect any rejection or forced divestment would result in Westpac or HBOS making a bid. There are definitely more institutional investors who believe a takeover of Suncorp by a larger bank is more likely than a marriage between PMN and Suncorp.

It won't be, but it would be great if they magically installed some light rail lines on it. :)

why would you wanna do that?

* light rail tracks are more expensive to build than road
* light rail trains are more expensive than busses
* light rail is limited to where there are tracks, busses are not
* you can run a higher frequency bus service because busses are smaller
* busses can use the existing road infrastructure, light rail can not

is there something i'm missing??

Light Rail is a far more attractive form of PT and has higher levels of capacity, and it's more environmentally friendly. Plus the tracks (or dedicated path) are already there. Buses could still use it, just not as frequently as they do now.

why would you wanna do that?

* light rail tracks are more expensive to build than road
* light rail trains are more expensive than busses
* light rail is limited to where there are tracks, busses are not
* you can run a higher frequency bus service because busses are smaller
* busses can use the existing road infrastructure, light rail can not

is there something i'm missing??

*Are you saying there is no place whatsoever for heavy or light rail?
*There is a route 111 that just runs along the busway and never leaves it and is full almost all the time. This could be replaced by light rail. This would allow the buses and light rail to use the busway simultaneously allowing buses to the routes that leave the busway, and the lightrail to the routes that do not.
*light rail carry's many more people per hour and therefore nullifies the upfront cost a lot more.
*You cannot add more buses when the infrastructure is maxed out.
*If you only had buses you would end up like cities like the Gold Coast Sunshine Coast and Townsville, and that is, having pathetic public transport,
*High capacity rapid transit give the crtainty to developers that the PT isn't going anywhere. TOD's can also be created without fear the the PT routes are going to change, and seriously, how many major bus routes have changed over the last 30 years??


Is there something I'm missing??

^^ Brilliantly said, KJBrissy. ;)

Light Rail is a far more attractive form of PT and has higher levels of capacity, and it's more environmentally friendly. Plus the tracks (or dedicated path) are already there. Buses could still use it, just not as frequently as they do now.

So all of a sudden you have become an environmentalist?

Incidentally, Gold Coast City Council has just signed a memorandum to implement extensions to heavy rail through to the GC airport. There will also be a link from Parkwood station to major stops such as Griffith University through to Broadbeach, via either a powered bus system or a light rail system, by 2011. More southern stops will be added after 2011. This is great news.

Anyway, it appears that light rail is the the public's preferred option - as indicated by 85% of the public surveyed. Some people see trams as a romantic option. In any case I agree with sentiments already expressed by some forumers, that light rail is the most practicable option.

http://www.goldcoast.qld.gov.au/t_news_item.aspx?pid=6257.

There are many other interesting links at Translink. Hopefully Brisbane will soon have its trams back from the dead. But first we need to get many more cars off the road. I hardly use my vehicle at all, as there is an excellent bus service into Paddington and the City from The Gap.

I just wish people in Brisbane (such as yourself Redress and probably a couple others on this forum) would just try and do a majority of their trips by PT for a month and see how it goes!

Thats what I am doing and I am not having any drama. Give it a go yourself and see how it goes...

kj;

1. nope. heavy rail has a place due to its pre-existing corridors and the high top speeds it can operate at. light rail is questionable due to its lack of existing corridors, the additional infrastructure it requires and it's lack of a top speed advantage over buses.

2. great idea, but then people would have to change between a light rail service and a bus service. why do that? if a light rail carraige and a bus are sharing the same roadspace then they will both have to go at the same speed, so the light rail wouldnt get you there any faster. wouldnt it be better to stay on a bus the whole time?

3. good point. but a problem with public transport in brisbane is that there isnt enough passengers to justify running a high frequency service. that's why our heavy rail services are not high frequency - there are only enough passengers to justify a 350 person train every 30mins. if you make the capacity of the carriage (be it bus, train, light rail, whatever) smaller then you can justify running at higher frequency. surely a bus running every 5mins is better than a train running every 30?

4. umm, i don't understand? don't trains have the same problem when they get to capacity? the gold coast line is currently at capacity, what's the solution.. build more tracks? isnt the solution to a congested busway the same? don't trains cost more to build than busways?

5. sorry mate, those are irrelevant and innapropriate comparisons. those regional cities have a much lower population density than brisbane and so struggle to justify a good public transport service.

7. very weak argument mate, developers realise that their projects secure the future of the public transport service by creating the offices/apartments that support the public transport.

a) you've contradicted yourself with point 1 and 2, saying that buses are better because they have faster top speeds, and then saying that the light rail is only slower because it is sharing the same corridor as the buses.

b) We create corridors for light rail just like they did for the heavey rail down to the Gold Coast and through the Sunshine Coast. No difference. Infact, the light rail proposed for the Gold Coast can reach speeds of 120km/h...not slow.

c) Point 2 is as rediculous as saying that there are some routes that you have to change from 1 bus to another bus etc. Many people actually use the busway stations as their stop and don't leave it. Once again the route would be the same as the 111.

d) That is a load of bollocks. The 111 already is running at 5 minute intervals during the day and is still overflowing!! Also light rail does not hold as many as heavy rail. Corinda to the city is already 15min services for heavy rail. If it were light rail...halve it. That timetable could easily run on the SE Busway, if not more frequently.

e) @ point 4, 2 rail tracks has a MASSIVE capacity when compared to a 2 way road with buses, hence much less space required. Think about it.

f) Are you trying to tell me that the strip from Southport to Broadbeach has lower population desities to Brisbane?? Funnily enough, this is where they are putting in light rail!!

g) Developers loved the CBD masterplan when it was released talking about pedestrianiseation and rapid transit. Yes developers look at these things. Properties within walking distances of train stations receive higher valuations than those within walking distances of bus stops. The cityplan also tells developers where the council would prefer them to develope as well.

h) TOD's work around higher capacity PT better than a lower capacity PT!!

kj;

1. sorry mate, i didnt. i simply said that they'll both have to travel at the same speed - i didnt say which is faster.

the point is that if light rail and busses share the same corridor they'll go at the same speeds, in which case what is the benefit of light rail? your capacity argument is misguided - the sydney light rail carriages have a capacity of 220/ea, whilst an articulated bus has a capacity of 200/ea. and a bus is much cheaper and dosnt require a track. so why go for light rail?

2. yes, but for every single place you want a light rail service you need to build tracks. with busses you dont. yes, both services will require dedicated corridors for major routes, but bus corridors are cheaper because they dont have the grade limitations of rail. you can't compare heavy rail with light rail or busses - it's a totally different service. i agree that heavy rail is the best solution for long distance travel such as to the gold/sunshine coast because it can safely reach a higher top speed.

3. so if it's exactly the same as a bus service, what's the point? as i said earlier, your capacity argument is flawed.

4. i thought we were talking about light rail here mate, not heavy rail? you can't compare the two.

5. again, light rail or heavy rail?

6. the majority of trips in brisbane are workers commuting to the cbd. there is no cbd of a comparable scale on the gold coast. that's why you can't compare them.

7. yes, all the developers thought it was great.. but when they asked the bcc how they were going to pay for it and they said they didnt know yet then they promptly disregarded it. the only developer doing large-scale tod's at the moment is fkp. and they are doing so on a favourable height ruling in milton. developers are not falling over themselves to do tods just yet.

kj it seems to me that you're blindly defending rail as a superior option to busses when it's not always the case. heavy rail, yes, for inter-city transport is great. but light rail for intra-city? not in brisbane. i think the billions that the government are spending on busways (and the zilch they are spending on light rail) indicates that they see things the same way.

^^I'm sorry but is says here (http://www.btoti.com/other.php?search=charters) that Brisbane Transport Articulated buses have a capacity of 100 passengers. If you compared that to Sydney light rail...that would be 2 buses. The Gold Coast Light Rail were looking at getting sets up to 50m long.

Sydney light rail capacity is 220 people per carriage? Do you mean the monorail??

I love the idea of light rail, but the only real benefit it offers that buses don't, in my opinion, is the dedicated lines, with obvious stations. Buses can be confusing, and it can be really unclear where you actually depart the bus. Many times I've tried to catch a bus in Brisbane, and ended up nowhere near I planned to because the stops (outside of the Busway, which is my next point...) are not signed properly, or in a different place than you imagine them to be. This doesn't happen so much with light rail.

However, with busways, the system works better. It is obvious where the bus will stop (station wise) until it exits the busway. People are using the busway because it is easy to understand and navigate. Plus, as has been mentioned, buses have the ability to exit the dedicated corridor, and get more people on board without the need to purpose build more corridors.

I remember when I caught the bus through the SE Busway every day for a while when I was going to Uni at Griffith, and the one thing that really, really irked me was seeing bus after bus drive past, full already before even entering the busway, and you have to continue to wait. Not such a great plan, and this will prevent people from catching the bus in future, due to the unreliability. Buses can be really unreliable too time wise, as they still need to travel at least part of the way on a road.

In any case, doesn't look like we'll get light rail, and if we ever do, it's still a long way off, I think.

Light rail is what we should be getting! or that underground line. fuck buses! i'm bloody sick of them! so ugly!

^^I'm sorry but is says here (http://www.btoti.com/other.php?search=charters) that Brisbane Transport Articulated buses have a capacity of 100 passengers. If you compared that to Sydney light rail...that would be 2 buses. The Gold Coast Light Rail were looking at getting sets up to 50m long.

yes mate, but i never referred to the articulated busses bcc already has.. there are quite a few companies making busses with 200+ person capacity. a quick google shows this (http://www.vanhool.be/products_bus_detail.asp?TabID=2&ID=13&ProductCategoryID=1) dutch firm making 200 person capacity ones and volvo (http://www.volvo.com/bus/brazil/en-br/products/city+buses/Volvo+B12M/) making ones with a 270 person capacity.

^^^ From all of this, I'd say the benefits of light rail outweigh the bus, especially on SE Freeway. So many people I've spoken to say it's near-impossible getting a seat at any point on that entire bus route, even with such high frequency. I think they'd need a continuous line of buses to even come near catering for the amount of people who rely on it. Bring on high capacity light rail...

an emotive issue...

Personally I wish they would run light rail up the SE busway to replace the 111 (which people in surrounding areas not served sufficiently by public transit drive to, being the idea of a park & ride) then thru a loop under the CBD/Valley and up the Northern Busway when built replacing the 333 in addition to all the local routes already using the busway, this would free up heaps of busses to service demand on other routes and replace the older aged buses... well thats my 5c worth

Stephens Sky Dick/Needle caught fire today. see News.

anybody read the news article on the museum and the north bank today in the saturday mail

Stephens Sky Dick/Needle caught fire today. see News.

A bit of history about the needle (http://www.stefan.com.au/history/skyneedle_01.html)

http://www.stefan.com.au/history/images/stefan_skyneedle_repaint_2.jpg
http://www.stefan.com.au/history/images/skyneedle_relocation_crane1.jpg

Yeah! I saw it on the news! They now say that they are going to rebuild it to be bigger and better?

Brisbane's Skyneedle damaged by fire
By 7News Brisbane's Skyneedle, made famous by Expo 88 and kept alight by hair salon magnate Stefan, has been badly damaged by fire.

The blaze broke out late this afternoon and the landmark's owner has vowed to rebuild it.

Standing 88 metres high, the fire in the top of the Stefan Skyneedle could be seen from across Brisbane. "There was just some smoke coming out at first and then it just burst into flames," said one bystander.

Fire crews evacuated nearby residents.

The landmark's owner Steve Ackerie (Stefan) watched as flames engulfed his famous rainbow of colours.

"It was very sad to see it. Somebody rang me and they said the tower's on fire, and said I'm not joking.

Crews tried to reach the fire but it was too high and had to watch as it burnt itself out.

It is believed an electrical fault started the blaze.

And it's not the first time it's happened, there was another fire in the same spot during Expo 88.

Stefan has vowed it will again be rebuilt.

"It will now be whatever the best in the world is because I think the Skyneedle's part of our life now," he said today.

The tower has been a prominent feature of the city skyline for nearly two decades.

After Expo '88 the landmark was nearly lost to Tokyo's Disneyworld.

Stefan stepped in and bought it, likening the Skyneedle to the Eiffel Tower in Paris.

It has provided an evening light show ever since.

Also, In yesterdays paper there was an article about a massive piece of industrial land in Westend on the river (opposite Coro dr) being turned into a mixed use development, top tower being 8 storeys...

now that the needle is destroyed and stefan vowed to rebuild it, maybe he might use it. i havent seen it revolving around the sky for years!

^^ i just read the history! stupid airport. lol

now that the needle is destroyed and stefan vowed to rebuild it, maybe he might use it. i havent seen it revolving around the sky for years!

It is used several times a year.....riverfire, australia day, early new year eve etc.

man they should actually have a design comp to see what we can come up with for the brisbane needle version 2!

Hooray!!!!!!!!!
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i16/soulvisionQ1/0529473500.jpg
At last, a good soaking

By Lou Robson
November 04, 2006 11:00pm
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

LIFE-saving downpours fell on Queensland's parched south yesterday, with some areas getting their best rainfall in many years.

Even the catchment areas of Wivenhoe, Somerset and North Pine dams received drenching rain, proving valuable relief for the southeast's depleted water supplies.

The best showers fell on southern Queensland and the Darling Downs, with Warwick recording its highest daily rainfall since October 1999.

Toowoomba dairy farmer Ches Priebbernow said the downpour saved his 161-strong herd and brought much-needed life to his 322ha property.

"We were staring down the barrel of a death sentence," said Mr Priebbernow, 70, whose farm received 78mm in 24 hours.

"Because of the drought no one can buy feed for their cows and our crops were going to die. This rain has saved our crops and the crops will save our cows, so it's good news all round.

"The best rain in seven years was enough to make me splash about in the pond down the back.

"My wife Del and I can't wipe the smiles off our faces and everyone out here is the same."

He said that in four weeks his paddocks would be full of grass.

"Thanks to this rain there will be a sea of green out there," Mr Priebbernow said. "We were so worried about how we would feed our cows but in one month our crops will be four feet (1.2m) high."

Craig Mitchell of the Bureau of Meteorology said the rain fell where it was most needed.

"This has been a heavy, heavy rainfall event, particularly in areas which have had a dry time," he said. "I imagine this rain has made quite a few farmers extremely happy."

Weatherzone meteorologist Matt Pearce said a low-pressure trough caused heavy falls inland.

"This is the best rain this region has seen all year, and in some cases, the best rain in up to seven years," he said.

SEQ Water operations manager Rob Drury said the rain had added about a week's worth of supply to the southeast's dams.

"It hasn't been drought-breaking but we've had about 25mm of rain throughout the three catchments," he said.

"It's good rain leading into summer and hopefully an indication of things to come."

A weather bureau spokesman said showers could continue today.

What Charlotte towers looked like yesterday...
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i16/soulvisionQ1/Charlotte.jpg

Excellent news, bring it on. We need more!!!!!

Good News!!! Stefan released his grand plan!! It will have a light show at night (im assuming lasers, YAY) extra lights around and music!!!!

its really disheatening to hear that all that rain only provides 1 or 2 weeks of supply. we need a flood of mega proportion to fill the dams up again.

March 2001, parts of Brisbane received up to 365mm in 3 hours causing flooding all over the city, however none of this hit the dams except for North Pine. We need something like this over wivenhoe. full in 3 hrs she would be

So there will be a new state of the art lights will perform a 10 minute light show every night at 8:00pm, with lasers and the whole works... apparently it will be the biggest light display from a single building. He says the skyneedle would be better than ever even during Expo!!

The only pics of the fire i could get.
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i16/soulvisionQ1/DSC00420.jpg
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i16/soulvisionQ1/DSC00421.jpg

Landmarks miss Monopoly cut

SOUTH Bank is in, but the Fourex Brewery, Big Pineapple and Story Bridge are out.

Some of Queensland's most famous landmarks missed out on a chance to be included in the new edition of board game Monopoly.

Five selections for Monopoly Australia: Here and Now will be cut to three.

Premier Peter Beattie said the sites to be nominated, with Brisbane's South Bank cultural precinct, included:

• The Stockman's Hall of Fame at Longreach.

• Surfers Paradise.

• Australia Zoo on the Sunshine Coast.

• The Great Barrier Reef.

"It's been a tough decision but after reading the submissions and talking to a lot of Queenslanders, I have decided on these nominations," he said.

"I believe the five I have chosen represent Queensland in all our diversity, along the four points of the compass."

Mr Beattie asked the public for suggestions and among them were several public toilets.

here is an ad for some new years event from Scene. Riparian is a DJ. woot woot! :dj:

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8762/untitledoq4.jpg

i saw that pic ages ago for some other thing - It has other buildings aswell like Brisbane Sq as it's arm.

here is an ad for some new years event from Scene. Riparian is a DJ. woot woot! :dj:

http://img227.imageshack.us/img227/8762/untitledoq4.jpg

Thats so cool!!! Thanks 4 that!!!! If you have others please post! ;)

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i16/soulvisionQ1/289385626_ede46b854e_b.jpg

^^ Hmm... I think we maybe need a permanent giant LANTERN!!!

I noticed some new big yellow signage going up on the 'ANL' building on Eagle St.

According to today's City News the Christmas tree is being lit Friday November 17, which I think is the earliest date ever.

Campbell ****** also thinks the CBD is too grubby, so is going to invest more in street sweeping, anti-litter campaigns and pressure washing...I personally don't think it's that bad.

There's also an advert for "What would you like to see at the Howard Smith Wharves?". Unfortunately I don't have a scanner so here are the details -

When: Monday 20 November

Guided Tour: Starts at 5pm - meet at the wharves next to Shed 3 near the start of the floating boardwalk

Workshop: Starts with light refreshments at 5.45pm in the Long Room, Customs House, 399 Queen Street with an expected finish time of around 8.30pm.

Call 34035548

Campbell ****** also thinks the CBD is too grubby, so is going to invest more in street sweeping, anti-litter campaigns and pressure washing...I personally don't think it's that bad.

niiiiice.. i've always thought the cbd could do with a good scrub. the riverside expressway is a prime example.. it's painted white but looks very dirty. dunno how this goes with the water restrictions tho? heh. maybe if they used water out of the river?

Hey Loving that poster of Riparian as a DJ......since my bro will be playing that party I could probably call Riparian my Brother!!!!!! LOL....

:-)

From http://www.propertyweb.com.au/building/

Watpac acquires Newstead property

By Angela Grasso
Nov 9, 2006

Following the $20 million acquisition of Brisbane's iconic Waterloo Hotel in June 2006, Watpac has settled on an adjoining 500 sqm property located at 1021 Ann Street in Newstead for $1.5 million.

Presently occupied by a vacant post-war house, the property will be incorporated into Watpac's planned commercial and retail redevelopment of the Waterloo Hotel.

[The Waterloo Hotel with Watpac Managing Director Greg Kempton in foreground]

Watpac's future plans include the refurbishment of the Waterloo Hotel and the development of approximately 14,000 sqm of office space and 2000 sqm of ground level retail space.

The development will also comprise underground parking and an entertainment precinct.

Watpac's Managing Director, Greg Kempton, said the company was currently preparing to lodge a development application.

The heritage-listed Waterloo Hotel will continue to operate during the site's transformation. The Coles Myer Liquor Group has committed to leasing the hotel and a new bottle-shop to be constructed on the site in 2007.

"Further acquisitions of nearby properties are earmarked over the next six months, and pending development approval, we are aiming to start construction on the site in mid 2007," Mr Kempton said.

CB Richarch Ellis agents Trevor Wienert and Mark Dann negotiated the sale.

Watpac has appointed Christian Sandstrom of Jones Lang LaSalle and Andrew Carlton of CB Richard Ellis as leasing agents.

The vendor of the property is Mycon Enterprises Pty Ltd.

http://i67.photobucket.com/albums/h318/cj_81_/facilities_revised_rhs1.jpg

From http://www.propertyweb.com.au/building/

Bridgemark project underway in Brisbane

By Stephen Naylor
Nov 7, 2006

A new riverside industrial precinct has been launched at Murrarie in Brisbane. Pacific Charter Corporation Pty Ltd is developing the precinct, to be known as The Bridgemark Centre, which will be located at Rivergate, the new $150 million marina and shipyard on the Brisbane River.

The Bridgemark Centre will be located on the corner of Rivergate Place and Mariners Crescent, immediately adjacent to the Rivergate facility.

[Rivergate is a $150 million marina and shipyard development on the Brisbane River] Pacific Charter Corporation is a company associated with the founders of Rivergate Marina and Shipyard, Bob Hill and Judy Brinsmead.

ADCO Constructions has commenced construction on the site, with completion and occupation earmarked for April 2007. The facility has been designed by Gianni De Clara from Group 4 Architects.

The Bridgemark Centre will include 24 warehouse industrial units with associated offices measuring from 215 sqm to 352 sqm.

Blue Commercial agents Callum Murray and Ryan Pearce will manage sales and leasing on the project.

Mr Murray said that the Bridgemark Centre offered the right blend of design, location and convenience for any business seeking to establish itself in the thriving port region.

"The centre offers a broad range of sizes with easy access for warehousing, whether or not it's for marine-oriented use or simply general industry," Mr Murray said.

"The proximity to the Gateway, Port and Airport precincts makes Bridgemark a common sense proposition for most operations," he said.

"The units feature container height roller shutters which certainly gives them added warehousing capacity."

Mr Murray said that Rivergate is an all-purpose destination, with all key functions completed.

"This includes a 105-berth marina; 75 tonne and 300 tonne travel lifts; a state-of-the-art, 23-unit Refit Complex with 12,000 sqm hardstand; and marine re-fuelling wharf."

Rivergate is being constructed on 15.24 hectare site purchased from the State Government in June 2004. It is located adjacent to the Gateway Bridge at the Rivergate Marine and Industry Park, 15 minutes from the CBD, 10 minutes from Brisbane Airport and six nautical miles from Moreton Bay.

Watpac's future plans include the refurbishment of the Waterloo Hotel and the development of approximately 14,000 sqm of office space and 2000 sqm of ground level retail space.

The development will also comprise underground parking and an entertainment precinct.
Excellent news! It should go well with Newstead River Park and the City Cat stop.

Is it true that while they were excavating King George Square a few days ago, they found a WWII bomb shelter that was built for MacArthur? Apparently they found some doors or something but I can't find any information.

^^ It was on the news a few nights ago! the shelter even had pictures of alley and enemy planes!

Not sure if the shelter was actually for MacArthur, a lot of city buildings at that time would have had basement shelters. Heavy bombing was expected from the Japanese. Highly recomend going up to level 8 on MacArthur Chambers, where there is a Brisbane in WW2 Museum.

Adelaide St during the war, with the above ground shelters and fire fighting water mains.

http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/7320/brisbane1941adelaidestart1.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Yeah I've been to that museum! Glad other people know about it, it's great to see MacArthur's office, and the map of QLD filled out with Japanese characters. So is this shelter going to remain?

^^ Yeah! I went there too when they had that open day! It was actually quite interesting... People don't realise Brisbane has a lot of history!

Yes I think we generally need to preserve it, and publish it better than we have in the past

Could someone move this to the right thread?

GPT's $800m Brisbane towers plan

Fiona Cameron
November 16, 2006
GPT Group plans to build two of Brisbane's biggest office towers in $800 million worth of development as it responds to the city's drum-tight office market.

The trust will lodge a development application within a month for the 50,000sqm Riverside Centre Stage 2, with plans for a 40-storey-plus glass tower designed by architects Cox Rayner.

GPT also recently won development approval for 60,000sqm of office space in two 30-storey towers adjoining its Roma Street Transit Terminal, on the CBD's western edge.

The head of office property for the GPT Group, Tony Cope, said yesterday both projects would only proceed with about 40 per cent precommitment, but GPT was in advanced negotiations with a number of large tenants.

In Brisbane's "golden triangle", Riverside 2 will become the city's biggest and most prestigious office development of its era.

After a national design competition contested by seven firms, GPT awarded the contract to Cox Rayner.

"Their design is outstanding," Mr Cope said. "Their response to the brief was head-and-shoulders above the others."

GPT had sought designs that were in contrasting style to the adjoining granite Riverside Centre and Riparian Plaza.

"Those are classic Seidler buildings, the most fantastic buildings, but to try to emulate something in between them of the same style would just not work, so it's going to be different," Mr Cope said.

Mr Cope said Riverside 2 would have "very, very high sustainability targets".

The announcement follows the completion last year of Bloomberg's Harry Seidler-designed 50-storey Riparian Plaza next door, but prior to that there had not been a new big office tower in Brisbane's premium precinct for more than a decade.

Prime Brisbane office rents are soon set to top more than $700sqm, after double-digit growth in the past year on the back of a record low vacancy rates.

Riverside 2 will require the demolition of the Indigo building at 77 Eagle Street.

At Roma Street, construction could begin quickly after precommitments were signed, Mr Cope said.

"For years we have known this is an opportunity, so we have made sure that existing leases have relevant clauses so we can get access to the site quickly," he said.

GPT owns the Transit Centre, jointly with the Australian Prime Property Fund, a Lend Lease wholesale fund.

The new development could have an end value of around $400 million, Mr Cope said.

The existing building there dates from the late 1980s and incorporates retail space and a 191-room hotel.

The proposed new towers will not impinge on the existing tower and podium, but will require reconstruction of the bus ramps leading into the centre, which is currently being integrated with Brisbane's new underground busway.

Mr Cope said a famous international architect had been appointed to the project, but he could not reveal the name yet.

A report from agency Colliers International this month described the Brisbane CBD office leasing market as in "crisis".

Total vacancy in prime buildings is at 1.4 per cent, says Colliers, and in secondary stock 2.8 per cent.

GPT is Australia's third-largest trust, with a market value of $9.8 billion.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,20764178-25658,00.html

The trust will lodge a development application within a month for the 50,000sqm Riverside Centre Stage 2, with plans for a 40-storey-plus glass tower designed by architects Cox Rayner.

In Brisbane's "golden triangle", Riverside 2 will become the city's biggest and most prestigious office development of its era.

"Their design is outstanding," Mr Cope said. "Their response to the brief was head-and-shoulders above the others."

GPT had sought designs that were in contrasting style to the adjoining granite Riverside Centre and Riparian Plaza.

"Those are classic Seidler buildings, the most fantastic buildings, but to try to emulate something in between them of the same style would just not work, so it's going to be different," Mr Cope said.

Mr Cope said Riverside 2 would have "very, very high sustainability targets".

The announcement follows the completion last year of Bloomberg's Harry Seidler-designed 50-storey Riparian Plaza next door, but prior to that there had not been a new big office tower in Brisbane's premium precinct for more than a decade.

Riverside 2 will require the demolition of the Indigo building at 77 Eagle Street.


This sounds AWESOME. And does the bolded bit imply that it's taller than Riparian, or don't they class Riparian as office? Started a new thread (http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?p=10496283#post10496283) for the Riverside Centre tower. Thanks for the heads up Ipggi! :)

^^ barstards beat me to it

I noticed that during the renovations ofthe building on the corner of George and the Queen St. Mall (the one with the Coffee Club at the bottom) an Ansett Australia signs had been exposed. :)

Is it true that while they were excavating King George Square a few days ago, they found a WWII bomb shelter that was built for MacArthur? Apparently they found some doors or something but I can't find any information.


haha. i saw it. i went on a tour of the busway site last week. it is from the remains of the old roma st police station. it was demolished when they built suncorp plaza (SGIO back then).

it had been burried all those years yet there were still clear ink paintings on the wall identifying different aircraft. i really wish i had a camera on me at the time.

they also uncovered a stormwater drain over 150 years old and the old tram tracks and sleepers. the reason the drain was built was because there was a creek running from roma st to creek st and out to the river at where riparian is now. Spring Hill gets its name for the natural spring it has which still runs. the drain still operates as a means of releasing all the water into the river. roma st was previously a dam for all of brisbane. amazing stuff i learnt lately. makes you wonder if BCC is using that springwater and storing it in the spring hill reserviors

This just shows the high demand and GOWTH in our wonderful state! ;)

Brickies on $1200 a day

By Edmund Burke

November 18, 2006 11:00pm
Article from: The Sunday Mail (Qld)

BRICKLAYERS are making up to $1200 a day as Queensland's tradesmen and women rapidly overtake professionals in earning power.

Young chippies, brickies, plumbers and electricians are earning big money while their peers who have become lawyers, accountants and other white-collar professionals are struggling to make ends meet.

As university graduates struggle with low wages and HECS debts, tradesmen and women are debt-free and entering the property market.

Queensland Master Builders Association executive director Graham Cuthbert said it was not unusual for bricklayers to make $1200 a day in parts of north Queensland.

"They are making $4.50 a block and that translates to around $1200 a day. There is significant money to be made," he said.

Mr Cuthbert said carpenters, plasterers and bricklayers in Brisbane routinely made $2000 a week on contract work.

"This isn't a passing phase – these conditions are here to stay. These trades are no longer just a job, they're a career," he said.

Most trades take four years to qualify, but the training is practically free for apprentices, who get paid to learn.

A law student can expect to finish college with a HECS debt of $33,000 and an arts student $15,000.

Master Plumbers Association of Queensland executive director Adrian Hart said that in a booming economy plumbers were in demand and making really good wages.

Sunshine Coast plumber Jared May, 22, has been fully qualified for three years after taking up an apprenticeship when he was 15. He now makes about $1500 a week.

"I just bought a house 12 months ago for $330,000 and I own my own ute. I don't really have any financial worries," he said.

Carpenter David Hamill, 21, gets about $900 after tax and other deductions every week: "A lot of my mates are at uni and they are struggling. They don't stop me when I buy a round of drinks, put it that way."

In contrast, accountant Katherine Taylor, 24, who has been working for almost a year since leaving university, is on a salary of $38,000 a year.

She expects her wage to increase as she becomes more experienced.

President of Queensland Young Lawyers Stephen Mackie said: "Anyone who thinks they're going to walk out of university on to the set of Ally McBeal will get a rude shock."

Mr Mackie said that when he left university, "the minimum wage for first-year clerks was about $26,000, increasing to about $28,000 in the second year. To add insult to injury my HECS debt was $25,000".

I know money isn't everything... but i'm regretting the whole office thing. Can't wait to get on site.

Office life for me, I'm not to keen on any sort of labour intensive work. I prefer to sit on my butt :D

I like a good mix of both. Too much of either can get tedious.

go vote

i just like saving lives :grouphug:

Racecourse sell-off
By Bart Sinclair
November 24, 2006 12:00am

BRISBANE'S Doomben racecourse is to be sold under a radical plan to create one super race club at a single metropolitan track.

Racing's governing body, Queensland Racing Ltd, is proposing a "merger of equals" of Eagle Farm and Doomben clubs, with money from the sale of Doomben to fund an upgrade of facilities to international standards at Eagle Farm.
The entire returns from a sale – believed to be in the range of $130 million to $140 million – would flow directly to the merged club towards the re-development of Eagle Farm.

The Doomben sale will raise issues of the loss of green space in the inner northern suburbs and the traffic problems associated with heavy residential development on roads already severely stretched in the Ascot-Hamilton area.

Ownership of Doomben is held by the members of the Brisbane Turf Club. They have the right not to sell and there is the possibility they could launch legal action against the move.

Should Doomben members vote against the merger proposal, it is believed Queensland Racing simply won't schedule any meetings at the course.

QRL chairman Bob Bentley refused to comment on that option, saying only that: "The QRL will not plan for a future that includes both the BTC and the QTC (Queensland Turf Club, which owns Eagle Farm). It is the QRL's intention to ultimately ensure that only one facility is developed. We will not support the further development of both the BTC and QTC facilities. Our plan for the future does not include Doomben."

The timetable under the proposal is tight. Mr Bentley wants the merged club to be operational by July 1 next year.

Racing and training at Doomben would need to continue until Eagle Farm works could be completed. This is likely to be within 18 months.

Mr Bentley said the metropolitan racing calendar would be scaled back from 106 meetings a year to "75 to 80 meetings" at Eagle Farm, but gave an assurance there would be a meeting in Brisbane every Saturday.

He outlined a plan to build a new racecourse on the Gold Coast and said he had several backers for that project.

"Simply, if this deal (one Brisbane club at Eagle Farm) is not done the centre of racing in Queensland will shift away from Brisbane," he said. "The Brisbane race clubs have to understand that if they don't embrace this strategy they can't expect to be the main focus of racing in this state. Simple as that."

Racing began at Eagle Farm in 1866 and Doomben in 1933.

Previously Mr Bentley explored the possibility of selling both courses and establishing a "supertrack" initially situated on a greenfield site near the old Brisbane airport and later at Wacol.

But this was killed off by Premier Peter Beattie shortly before the 2003 state election.

Plans for on-course stabling will not be affected by the Bentley blueprint.

The board of the merged club would be drawn from the existing boards of the two race clubs for five years.

Members of either race club would automatically become members of the joined entity and will be offered free membership for three years.

Bill Sexton, chairman of Eagle Farm's Queensland Turf Club (Eagle Farm), said his board was still examining the details of the plan.

"The QTC for some time has supported the merger of the two clubs," Mr Sexton said yesterday.

Racecourse to be sold
By Michelle Hele
November 23, 2006 11:00pm


MAJOR developers would be prepared to pay a hefty price to snare the large, near-city tract of land which currently houses Doomben Racecourse.

While property records reveal as of 2005 the unimproved capital value of the land is only $5 million, a sale of the racecourse land could in fact achieve between $130 million and $140 million because of the opportunities it represents.
The 35ha parcel of land would attract interest from developers Australia-wide who would jump at the chance to develop the strategic parcel into a mixed-use development.

It is just over 7km from the Brisbane CBD, and surrounded by the prestige suburbs of Ascot, Hamilton and Clayfield where residential properties regularly change hands for millions.

Not only could developments be residential they could also be commercial or retail.

It is already close to well established public transport, is not far from the airport and is just down the road from the new international cruise ship terminal and Portside Wharf.

If the racecourse was offered to the market it would be a one-off chance for a developer to get its hands on such a large parcel of developable land in a well established prestige suburb.

Eagle Farm racecourse which is just across the road, has already been earmarked for redevelopment.

Watpac is in the early stages of masterplanning a mixed-use retail and residential development surrounding the Eagle Farm racecourse.

The developer has won the right to develop a large tract of 90,000sq m of surplus land owned by Queensland Turf Club following an expressions of interest campaign which closed in August.

Plans for improvements include new bars and restaurants, a new public lawn area and on-course stables.

Meanwhile a little further up the road, the Albion Park Paceway has also called for expressions of interest to develop surplus land on its course.

Just wondering if someone could answer a question for me.
I take it that the Moreton SD takes in the population of the Gold Coast, but according to the ABS the population is currently about 819,000. Can someone tell me is part of what would be considered Brisbane suburbs along Moreton Bay, are they counted as part of Moreton SD population as well as the GC?
Cheers
Jason

819,000 would be slightly old data for the Brisbane City Council (not Metro area).

That doesnt include Pine Rivers, Logan, Caboolture, Ipswich, Beenleigh, Goldcoast... etc.. only BCC

I hope thats right :S

The Moreton SD includes everything outside of Brisbane, Pine Rivers, Part of Caboolture, Ipswich, Logan, Part of Beaudesert, Part of GC, Redlands City Councils.

Redlands is counted as part of Brisbane SD, and so is the northern part of GC City Council.

Just wondering if someone could answer a question for me.
I take it that the Moreton SD takes in the population of the Gold Coast, but according to the ABS the population is currently about 819,000. Can someone tell me is part of what would be considered Brisbane suburbs along Moreton Bay, are they counted as part of Moreton SD population as well as the GC?
Cheers
Jason

Moreton consists of the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Beudesert, Boonah, Esk - it essentially forms an incomplete ring arround Brisbane, as highlight in the image below. The figure of 819,000 is at least a year and a half old by now.

http://img228.imageshack.us/img228/4375/moretonfj7.jpg

No part of the Brisbane metro is included in the Moreton Statistic Division, even though many Brisbane suburbs border Moreton Bay.

Hopefull that helps.

Cheers guys. I was wondering how it all fit together, now I know. Thanks!

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i16/soulvisionQ1/BrunsstCustom.jpg

hmm, i saw some designer-looking types measuring things with a tapemeasure at the station the other day, maybe we will see something soon.

Silicon shire in pipeline

Leigh Lalonde

December 11, 2006 11:00pm
Article from: The Courier-Mail


A WORLD-first business precinct similar to Silicon Valley in the US has been proposed for southeast Queensland.
Representatives from leading international and Australian companies will meet in Brisbane today to progress plans for the proposed Yarrabilba Environmental Business Cluster.

The cluster, worth about $175 million and part of the $4 billion masterplan community of Yarrabilba, has been proposed for a 30ha site in the Beaudesert Shire, south of Brisbane. The major business precinct will cater to companies producing environmentally sustainable products and office-based research and consulting groups.

Delfin Lend Lease will develop the project, estimated to include about 100 businesses at its Yarrabilba community.

Lend Lease communities regional general manager Queensland Andrew Brimblecombe said the cluster would generate about 4000 jobs.

Mr Brimblecombe said the Yarrabilba project as a whole would create about 26,000 jobs, with an additional 1400 construction jobs and 150 trade traineeships.

More than 50 companies had expressed interest in being part of the cluster, including industries ranging from solar energy and water technology to sustainable white goods and alternative fuel, he said.

"Research commissioned by the Queensland Government has found that the environmental sector produced revenue of $1.3 billion to the state in 2003-04," Mr Brimblecombe said. "Globally, the sector is growing at 12 per cent annually. The high level of interest in the Cluster illustrates the high demand from industry for such a unique business precinct."

Thiess Services, Hills Industries, Silver Communities, Chromagen, QED Occtech Services and Bluescope Water recently cemented their interest in being part of the Cluster by signing a statement of intent.

Schneider Electric signed a statement of intent at a private event in London.



The precinct, to be developed over a 30-year period, is expected to take the Yarrabilba community to 52,000 residents in 23,000 homes living on 19,000 allotments.

Silicon shire in pipeline

Leigh Lalonde

December 11, 2006 11:00pm
Article from: The Courier-Mail


A WORLD-first business precinct similar to Silicon Valley in the US has been proposed for southeast Queensland.
Representatives from leading international and Australian companies will meet in Brisbane today to progress plans for the proposed Yarrabilba Environmental Business Cluster.

The cluster, worth about $175 million and part of the $4 billion masterplan community of Yarrabilba, has been proposed for a 30ha site in the Beaudesert Shire, south of Brisbane. The major business precinct will cater to companies producing environmentally sustainable products and office-based research and consulting groups.

Delfin Lend Lease will develop the project, estimated to include about 100 businesses at its Yarrabilba community.

Lend Lease communities regional general manager Queensland Andrew Brimblecombe said the cluster would generate about 4000 jobs.

Mr Brimblecombe said the Yarrabilba project as a whole would create about 26,000 jobs, with an additional 1400 construction jobs and 150 trade traineeships.

More than 50 companies had expressed interest in being part of the cluster, including industries ranging from solar energy and water technology to sustainable white goods and alternative fuel, he said.

"Research commissioned by the Queensland Government has found that the environmental sector produced revenue of $1.3 billion to the state in 2003-04," Mr Brimblecombe said. "Globally, the sector is growing at 12 per cent annually. The high level of interest in the Cluster illustrates the high demand from industry for such a unique business precinct."

Thiess Services, Hills Industries, Silver Communities, Chromagen, QED Occtech Services and Bluescope Water recently cemented their interest in being part of the Cluster by signing a statement of intent.

Schneider Electric signed a statement of intent at a private event in London.



The precinct, to be developed over a 30-year period, is expected to take the Yarrabilba community to 52,000 residents in 23,000 homes living on 19,000 allotments.

Excellent!!!!

A TELSTRA plan to consolidate operations will give Brisbane a new 30-storey building at the river end of the CBD.
Telstra has signed the largest property leasing arrangement in the city's history, with a 10-year plan to house all of the telecommunication giant's Brisbane operations under the one roof.

Announcing the deal during a visit to Brisbane yesterday, Telstra chief executive Sol Trujillo said the national carrier was consolidating its Brisbane-based operations from eight buildings to two.

Developer Charter Hall will build a 41,000sq m tower at 275 George St, with 32,000sq m accommodating about 2500 Telstra office staff from 2009.

The adjoining 26,000sq m Northbank Plaza, located at 69 Anne St, will be refurbished to house another 2000 Telstra staff from 2008.

Mr Trujillo said the move would create about 2000 construction jobs over the next two years and enable annual lease savings for Telstra of $11.5 million from 2009.

Three call centres currently located at Anne, Roma and Montagu streets would be relocated at the new complex.

If you have a spare 5 minutes could you all complete the Main Roads website survey (http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/MRWEB/prod/CONTENT.NSF/1/03969A39F89B4EEF4A25723C00156703?OpenDocument). I encourage you all to note down what you would like to see on any future site. Ie More webcams etc

Silicon shire in pipeline

Leigh Lalonde

December 11, 2006 11:00pm
Article from: The Courier-Mail


A WORLD-first business precinct similar to Silicon Valley in the US has been proposed for southeast Queensland.
Representatives from leading international and Australian companies will meet in Brisbane today to progress plans for the proposed Yarrabilba Environmental Business Cluster.

The cluster, worth about $175 million and part of the $4 billion masterplan community of Yarrabilba, has been proposed for a 30ha site in the Beaudesert Shire, south of Brisbane. The major business precinct will cater to companies producing environmentally sustainable products and office-based research and consulting groups.

Delfin Lend Lease will develop the project, estimated to include about 100 businesses at its Yarrabilba community.

Lend Lease communities regional general manager Queensland Andrew Brimblecombe said the cluster would generate about 4000 jobs.

Mr Brimblecombe said the Yarrabilba project as a whole would create about 26,000 jobs, with an additional 1400 construction jobs and 150 trade traineeships.

More than 50 companies had expressed interest in being part of the cluster, including industries ranging from solar energy and water technology to sustainable white goods and alternative fuel, he said.

"Research commissioned by the Queensland Government has found that the environmental sector produced revenue of $1.3 billion to the state in 2003-04," Mr Brimblecombe said. "Globally, the sector is growing at 12 per cent annually. The high level of interest in the Cluster illustrates the high demand from industry for such a unique business precinct."

Thiess Services, Hills Industries, Silver Communities, Chromagen, QED Occtech Services and Bluescope Water recently cemented their interest in being part of the Cluster by signing a statement of intent.

Schneider Electric signed a statement of intent at a private event in London.



The precinct, to be developed over a 30-year period, is expected to take the Yarrabilba community to 52,000 residents in 23,000 homes living on 19,000 allotments.


this may see the extension of the gateway take place. that south western corner of brisbane is massively industrial, especially along any of the south western motorway corridors.

it will be awesome for SEQ with that sort of corporate and industrial attraction!

The gateway motorway seriously needs an extra lane or two from logan to caboolture. Everyday it is chokkers.

From Noosa to the Tweed Heads the Highway should be like it from Brisbane to GC. Wide, massive and concrete.

^^OR the state government could spend money on getting people to catch trains for long distance travel.

Or the state government could cater for BOTH groups of people, those who want to drive and those who want to take PT.

^^OR the state government could spend money on getting people to catch trains for long distance travel.

All well and good for old people, students and travel to work. But i would like to see you take a whole family and associated weekend goods for a trip to the coast on a train and then what a taxi or bus to your hotel?. Seriously P.T. is very good for inner city transport but the usefulness, practicality, time saving and cost of car travel becomes better the further out of the CBD you go.

On the state government's defense, the busway is a step in the right direction.

Yes the further out you go the less practical PT generally becomes. But having said that the roads and freeways aren't congested with people taking their family on a day trip.

edit: LOL ok the cause of major road congestion isn't usually day trippers ;)

^^ ahhhh hold up. you should see the bruce highway from brisbane to the sunshine coast EVERY sunday. its a carpark at its worst for 30km. the morning is usually mildy congested through certain trouble section because ppl stagger thier run up. the run home is totally different with everyone coverging on the highway at about 3pm

Thank NewUrban for todays banner ;)

sweet! brisbane finally made it after a few years!

and now sydney the day after?!?

From the Courier Mail today

Queensland taxpayers will fork out more than $400 million to build a state-of-the-art law precinct on Brisbane's George St. The precinct will be built on the remainder of the vacant site known as Queensland Place, which already is home to the new Magistrate's courts.

Will contain the Supreme and District courts with up to 50 courtrooms and hearing rooms. Winning design is expected to be announced in April with completion due in 2011. Will cinsist of 63,000sq m of floor space and include detention facilities, prisoner transfer and car parking.

^^ I had always hoped for a very very large tower on this site! Shame.....

Talk around the office is that Krispy Kream is looking for a place in Brisbane.

I dont mind that the queensland place site will be all law courts.

63000sqm is still alot it will be decent ... as long as the design is awesome

And it will of course free up the massive site that across the street from Bris Square :D:D:D

Talk around the office is that Krispy Kream is looking for a place in Brisbane.

:D

what the? who or what is krispy kream?

Krispy Kreme makes donuts that everyone loves

Talk around the office is that Krispy Kream is looking for a place in Brisbane.

That's interesting - I'd heard they weren't interested in Franchising to Brisbane, or the Brisbane market in general ... but that wasn't something I heard recently so hopefully they've changed their mind!

Forgot to add this: - I'm normally pretty up on construction sites, but can someone let me know what's going next to the Novotel? (only noticed it today)

As if they wouldn't want to move up here especially the Gold Coast. Market would be pretty good.

As if they wouldn't want to move up here especially the Gold Coast. Market would be pretty good.

That's what I thought too! But someone I know actually wanted to buy a franchise to set up here (Brisbane), but they weren't interested...

We've actually had some flown up to work before - they are quite nice!

Thank NewUrban for todays banner ;)

did anyone save the picture?

did anyone save the picture?

Hope this is what you meant:

http://i63.photobucket.com/albums/h158/ronstuff/City%20Pics/19.jpg

First time I had Krispy Kreme Donuts in Penrith (a few years ago), one of the first things I did was contact them about buying a franchise and I was told straight up that at that stage the owners of the existing stores (franchises) had the rights to the whole country and were not interested in selling the rights to any state. What truth there was in that I have no idea but that was what they said at that time.

I dont mind that the queensland place site will be all law courts.

63000sqm is still alot it will be decent ... as long as the design is awesome

And it will of course free up the massive site that across the street from Bris Square :D:D:D
I was thinking the same thing. Always wanted to see a 200m+ tower on Qld Place, but I doubt anything much over 120m will go there now. But like you said, the old Law Courts site is huge and could hold easily 2 x 150m towers or 1 x 200m+ tower. It just sucks its on the perimeter and not more in the centre of the CBD.

That's what I thought too! But someone I know actually wanted to buy a franchise to set up here (Brisbane), but they weren't interested...

We've actually had some flown up to work before - they are quite nice!

I work at the airport... and... the cabin crew always bring krispy kremes back for everyone from syd

In Prime Site today it said that the Carlton Crest Hotel has been sold for $100 million.

First time I had Krispy Kreme Donuts in Penrith (a few years ago), one of the first things I did was contact them about buying a franchise and I was told straight up that at that stage the owners of the existing stores (franchises) had the rights to the whole country and were not interested in selling the rights to any state. What truth there was in that I have no idea but that was what they said at that time.

Well that confirms what I've heard as well...

^^^^^ Well they must be crazy not wanting to come to Brisbane - I guess Dreamy Donuts will make all the profits, going on the massive queues at Chermside and in the city.

BrisVegas set to be Australian Hollywood
Saturday Dec 23 12:37 AEDT
Move over Hollywood, Brisbane is hot on your tail.

Experts believe the burgeoning Queensland capital is the key to rejuvenating the flailing Australian film industry.

Film and TV stalwart John Jarratt, who scared the pants off audiences with his portrayal as the killer in the spine-tingling film Wolf Creek, is one of the people behind the push to establish Brisbane as a top location for new cinema.

To make his dream a reality, Jarratt and his wife Cody this week packed up their home in Murwillumbah in northern NSW, loaded the kids into the car and made the move to Brisbane.

The Jarratts have joined forces with Brisbane businessman Jens Madsen and his wife Suzie Lightfoot to form Film Oz, a new production company that will be based in Brisbane.

They already have two films - both urban thrillers - in the pipeline, with another swag of potential blockbuster scripts waiting in the wings.

........

link (http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=173887)

good news, I suppose...

^^ great news IMO. another economy booster. add it to the growing list. SEQ will become a world renowned destination in 20 years for sure.

they could also utilise studios at movie world if need be as its only down the road. also, new ones could be built surrounding No 1 Airport Drive as there is plenty of non allocated land on the old eagle farm landing strip.

^^ great news IMO. another economy booster. add it to the growing list. SEQ will become a world renowned destination in 20 years for sure.

they could also utilise studios at movie world if need be as its only down the road. also, new ones could be built surrounding No 1 Airport Drive as there is plenty of non allocated land on the old eagle farm landing strip.

That land is being re-developed into industrial and high end commercial development sites.

Great news. BRISBANE/SEQ FTW

Haha, this won't mean much. What Brisbane really needs is for someone to come and build some decent soundstages and make a small studio.

I never saw this happening!!!

As far as I can tell, it seems like a couple of people starting up their own production company? Woopdy doo! There are already lots of production companies in Brisbane. Am I missing something? How are these people going to make a difference?

As far as I can tell, it seems like a couple of people starting up their own production company? Woopdy doo! There are already lots of production companies in Brisbane. Am I missing something? How are these people going to make a difference?

its john jarad starting up a production company, and seeing as tho he picked up and moved to america thinking he'll be a superstar then fell on his face, this is the only way he'll get any more movie roles lol.

As far as I can tell, it seems like a couple of people starting up their own production company? Woopdy doo! There are already lots of production companies in Brisbane. Am I missing something? How are these people going to make a difference?

True, but at least this is a start in the right direction. However, making comparisons to Hollywood is a bit silly.

http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i16/soulvisionQ1/New%20Album/valup.jpg

^^ I thought i mentioned it somewhere but that teahouse/restaurant is in the bridge over Duncan St (i think). It will be 2 levels inside.

^^^ Two new drinking bubblers for the mall - how exciting! Back in 1990 they threw millions at Mcwerters and the TC bernie building, then in the mid 90's they threw more at them again, then in the late 90's built units in Mcwerters promising a rejuvinated cafe scene at the base, which turned out to be a huge flop, in its place is a Cash Converts which keeps getting bigger! So here we are again with another new TC Bernie revamp! Spend the money somewhere else instead of on this huge white elephant.

^^ the valley needs to shake its daytime dodgyness to attract anthing more upmarket. i love the character that the valley brings for brisbane but honestly, i feel safer there at night than during the day. there are so many wackos during the day that youd only expect at night.

Come on, its hardly South Central now

Wackos are cool, they are what makes the Valley fun and interesting. It can be dodgy and its great that way. In all honesty though the place is still very safe during the day even if a few of those guys that line up to get into Rise at 7am do look a little bit too much under the weather.

Come on, its hardly South Central now

yeah i dont think there are any places in oz that bad either. its what we know to be bad as brisbanites rather than compare it to what is bad overseas. if i were a shop owner, i wouldnt be setting up in the valley mall

Do you see Ghetto Birds (Police Helicopters) flying over the (Brisbane) Valley constantly? No. So it is not a Ghetto... :P

Wackos are cool, they are what makes the Valley fun and interesting. It can be dodgy and its great that way. In all honesty though the place is still very safe during the day even if a few of those guys that line up to get into Rise at 7am do look a little bit too much under the weather.
Lol yeah, that place attracts some dodgy looking punters!!

I see the Mercure Hotel has had a renovation. That couldn't have happened soon enough IMO. Doesn't look too bad now.

http://img71.imageshack.us/img71/2738/mercurekd3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

Has anyone noticed the new billboard along Airport Drive, it has a digital counter for the state population. We are up to 4.1 million Queenslanders, that's about the same size as NZ.

^^
Sweet, I'll have to check it out next time I head out there. Would be funny if they had another line underneath showing the decresing gap to the population of Victoria. :)

^ The counter actually represents a Victorian\s intellegence over a QLD'er

^
clearly not, if that retort is to be gone by....

Few people in Melbourne except for a few select SSC members could care any less about what Brisbane's population is, or Queensland's for that matter. I would assume the reverse holds true and few people in Queensland would care what Victoria or Melbourne's population is.

Few people in Melbourne except for a few select SSC members could care any less about what Brisbane's population is, or Queensland's for that matter. I would assume the reverse holds true and few people in Queensland would care what Victoria or Melbourne's population is.

I only care because we will progressivly get more seats in federal parliament, and hold a little bit more power - its been very sydney/melbourne centric for a very long time... just happy its getting a bit balanced now - its not an ego thing over melbourne. for me at least.

Has anyone noticed the new billboard along Airport Drive, it has a digital counter for the state population. We are up to 4.1 million Queenslanders, that's about the same size as NZ.

I see it every day!

its liek 4,096,000 u cheater !!11

^ or maybe its the start of an exodous?

4.1 million is about the same size as new zealand. The funny thing about that of course is how many of those 4.1 QLDers are from NZ?

Probably a notable percentage.

Yeah, isn't it funny.

4.1 million is about the same size as new zealand. The funny thing about that of course is how many of those 4.1 QLDers are from NZ?

Probably a notable percentage.

:lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

can u get a pic?

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9219/populationdneifii3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

With my phone at 9pm tonight.. so forgive quality

^^ That's pretty cool!! Funny that it's NRMA Insurance, which most people I'm sure would know originated in NSW.

^ The counter actually represents a Victorian\s intellegence over a QLD'er

Years ago a reporter asked the NZ Prime Minister, Robert Muldoon, what he thought about many NZ'ers moving to Australia. His reply was; "It will increase the average intelligence of both countries." :lol:

http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/9219/populationdneifii3.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

With my phone at 9pm tonight.. so forgive quality

fuck NRMA. how queensland do ya wanna get. dead set arse kissing at its best. theyve even claimed the broncos. i bet most qld'rs wouldnt even know it originated in sydney.

this is your classic case of southerner migration. lol


thanx malt!:)

^^ It is all about expanding market share in a state dominated by Suncorp. Expect more of the maroon coloured NRMA commercials from April. This will be after Suncorp completes the take over (aka "merger") of Promina.

haha... this is a funny one... The B105 Newsreader had to read the news while going on Dreamworld's Giant Drop, Claw and Wipeout!!!

Click here (http://www.b105.com.au/shows/labratcammilaandstav/guest_audio_video/lcs/tash_reads_the_news_from_the_dreamworld_rides)
----------

Neon nightmare
From CITY NEWS issue 170
18 January 2007

Residents of an exclusive Queen St skyscraper are considering legal action against the owners of an adjacent high-rise claiming its massive yellow neon sign creates light and visual pollution.
Apartments on floors 10 to 25 of the Aurora Tower, Brisbane's tallest residential building, are lit up by the ANL building sign 45m away until 10 o'clock every night.
Residents claim the north facing sign measuring 3.5m high by 12m wide, also mars their views potentially impacting re-sale values.
With up to 7000 people now living in the CBD, the dispute has prompted Brisbane City Councillor David Hinchliffe (Central) to seek to amend the CBD's signage laws.
Robert Rekowski's kitchen, living room and hallway are illuminated by the sign which was installed in November.
Mr Rekowski said the spectacular view was the main reason he bought the apartment but now he hid away in his computer room until the sign was turned off.
'If I close the curtains I lose all my view', he said.
He claimed the sign was in contravention of council law which states 'advertising should respect the visual rights of other property owners'. Mr Rekowski is in favour of a class-action against ANL.
Body corporate-chairman Ralph Donnet said they were canvassing residents to determine support for legal action against the company.
ANL's permit allows the sign to be lit up from sunset to sunrise.
But the company agreed to switch it off at 10pm and to reduce its intensity from 500 to 300 candela.
ANL legal consel Nick Slingsby said it was unresonable for the company to be asked to compromise further.
Cr Hinchliffe said residents were entitled to enjoy what they paid for.
'It (the sign) would disturb me as well.'
Lord Mayor Campbell ****** said he was prepared to look at reviewing the signage laws, but he felt ANL had behaved reasonably.
Prices of affected apartments start at $440,000.



What does everyone think? I think that if you move into a CBD you gotta expect this sort of thing. I want to see more neon signs on buildings, not less!

I kind of agree that if you move into the CBD you have to expect this but at the same time I think if the sign had been there before Aurora they wouldnt have an arguement but given that the sign went in after Aurora was occupied they sort of do have an arguement.

Which building is the ANL building?

Winge winge f8kn winge.

im sorry but if you live in the CBD you need to accept and deal with it.


Originally Posted by Oriolus
http://img201.imageshack.us/img201/6274/anlhousezk9.jpg

How can these people move into the city then start complaining about the developments going up around them - it's the city!!! things are gonna change. It's not like they moved to rural Caboolture then someone stuck a big arse neon on thier neighbouring land - it's Queen steet the city for fuck sake!

Maybe the solution to the issue is to knock down the ANL building and adjoining buildings, consolidate to block and build a nice commercial tower taller than Aurora so that the signage at the top of the building wont affect the apartments!!!!!!!!!! zzzzzzzzzzzzzz....dreaming....zzzzzzzzz

^^ Then they will whinge about their veiws dissapearing - like the people in Willara tower complaining their view was going to be lost to Emerald. And to think the colour of the building their in didn't concern them!!!

and its the same with the fucking yuppies that move into the valley, then complain about the noise! fuck off if you dont like it! its a CBD for christ sake.

ps - anyone else think that 'ANL' (read anal) is funny.

If you don't like light, noise, sounds, people, cars, pollution, bands, congestion, blockages etc... go live in Pullenvale, Brookfield or Springfield Lakes. If you live in the centre of the Brisbane CBD, especially in skyscraper central of Australia's third largest and fastest growing capital, then you gotta bend over and take it like a man. This is why people "want" to live in the city, the hussle and bussle, the constant reminders that you have everything going on around you, having access to more, for longer, quicker, but wanting the best of both worlds is NOT on or fair! I can't believe someone is whinging about this tiny building compared to the monster that is Aurora! If they have a problem with this, one can only image what they'll whinge about with what is planned for the area in the next five years. A CBD should be lit up! In fact I WISH that Aurora was permanantly lit up in those rainbow colours as it was lit during its opening night. Things like this get me so annoyed! I live in the valley and I live here because I expect to hear a band loud and proud every now and then, because I expect to hear neighbours throwing a decent party every now and then, because I expect to hear the cops roaring their V8's up my street at 2am chasing someone, because I expect the noises and atmosphere of a fringe city suburb!!! Part and parcel peoples!!! And to be honest, if I lived in Aurora and had some neon light shining in my apartment until 10pm, apart from choosing not to close the blinds (geez that was hard) I'd probably relish the opportunity to turn all the lights off and walk my misses up to the glass and have some fun over a bottle of champagne! Sounds like this dude needs or has a pension card!

Its called "ANL House", yes Danubis I have a giggle at its name when I walk passed it every day... :lol:

and its the same with the fucking yuppies that move into the valley, then complain about the noise! fuck off if you dont like it! its a CBD for christ sake.

ps - anyone else think that 'ANL' (read anal) is funny.

yes to your first sentence...and definately yes to your second sentence.....:lol:

haha...anal.

Imagine what people in bigger and busier cities have to put up with. Look at New York or Shanghai or Hong Kong. I wouldn't mind living in those apartments. If you have the money to buy one, you have the money to tint your windows.

[QUOTE=Brissy Phil;11388785]If you don't like light, noise, sounds, people, cars, pollution, bands, congestion, blockages etc... go live in Pullenvale, Brookfield or Springfield Lakes. If you live in the centre of the Brisbane CBD, especially in skyscraper central of Australia's third largest and fastest growing capital, then you gotta bend over and take it like a man. This is why people "want" to live in the city, the hussle and bussle, the constant reminders that you have everything going on around you, having access to more, for longer, quicker.....................

Totally agree :okay:

Was listening to 4BC this afternoon and they interviewed Lord Mayor Campbell ****** who said he was soon heading off on a trip to the UAE (specifically Dubai) and Bahrain I think in order to attract business to Brisbane. Amongst the few things he mentioned was that he felt Brisbane was lacking 5-star hotels and wanted to encourage developers to look at building in Brisbane, and looking for design inspiration and ideas from Dubai architecture to bring back with him.

Now THAT sounds like a good idea! Hope he brings some Emaar magic back with him!

5 star hotels, well whatever happened to the one in 480 Queen? Empire Square will get one though.

^^I'm still hopeful for 480 Queen. I'll probably be bitterly disapointed though.

Campbell is a great mayor!

fuck NRMA. how queensland do ya wanna get. dead set arse kissing at its best. theyve even claimed the broncos. i bet most qld'rs wouldnt even know it originated in sydney.

this is your classic case of southerner migration. lol


thanx malt!:)

Suncorp have done the same here as they increase their presence south of the border. They have recently placed neon signs atop a major tower in Sydney.

NRMA although Sydney based is more a national insurance provider following it's privatisation by the NSW Government.

I do find it funny how they have played ads promoting it's health insurance arm when I was last there, which they don't even play in NSW.

Do they have the woman with the purple shirt and black skirt in the ads up there now? I don't think I've seen her on Qld TV as yet.

Also when did they put the population billboard up? I havent seen it before?

^^ That sounds great (re. Campbell going to Dubai!), hopefully something interesting will come of it.

Suncorp have done the same here as they increase their presence south of the border. They have recently placed neon signs atop a major tower in Sydney.

NRMA although Sydney based is more a national insurance provider following it's privatisation by the NSW Government.

I do find it funny how they have played ads promoting it's health insurance arm when I was last there, which they don't even play in NSW.

Do they have the woman with the purple shirt and black skirt in the ads up there now? I don't think I've seen her on Qld TV as yet.

Also when did they put the population billboard up? I havent seen it before?


i dont know if your referring to the woman who drops her black astra into the service centre for repairs.

the billboard is pretty recent. malt would know. he works out there

Thats one of them

This one is the mostly commonly played though >>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqmwhCfQglk

There is also one with the lady going to the NRMA Office.

Sorry to keep hassling you on the NRMA, but do they have the roadside service in Queensland for members?

Short article about the Dubai trip, wouldn't it be nice if he brought back some Dubai investors and developers!:)

Brisbane trade delegation due tomorrow

MANAMA: The Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Campbell ******, is leading a business and trade delegation from Australia's fastest growing region that will arrive in Bahrain tomorrow.

The delegation, which will also visit Abu Dhabi and Dubai as part of the 11-day trip to the Gulf, is coming to investigate trade and investment opportunities.

Representatives from the Australian city's building and construction, education, food and beverages, engineering, information and communications, technology and the environmental industry are taking part in the mission.

"Brisbane is currently enjoying a very exciting period of growth and is now the centre of the second fastest growing region in the western world," said Lord ******.

"As the third largest municipality in the world, containing Australia's fastest growing industrial, international trade and business precinct, Brisbane has much to offer international business interests and we are also keen to explore business interests in Bahrain and the UAE.

"Economic growth in Brisbane is running at more than four per cent, well above the Australian average. Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is situated in the southeast of Australia.

It is recognised as the economic and employment hub of the region and an additional one million residents are expected to live there by the year 2026.

During the trip, the Lord ****** will invite a delegation of civic, commercial and cultural representatives from Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai to visit the 2007 Asia Pacific Cities Summit, being held in Brisbane in September.

I would have thought that Campbell would have wanted to be in Brisbane for Australia Day but good area of the world to target, hopefully we see alot of postives from it in the future.

And to answer your question Fabian, I think if you call for roadside assistance in Qld with NRMA you get RACQ roadside assist and likewise if you are with RACQ in NSW. I know that was the case when I first moved to Qld 7 years ago.

Campbell is a great mayor!

Yes, I'm sure future generations of Brisvegans will look back and say "Thankyou can do ****** for pouring billions into private transport which is now strangling our city and lower the standard of living in our once beautiful city"...or something like that:cheers:

Yes, I'm sure future generations of Brisvegans will look back and say "Thankyou can do ****** for pouring billions into private transport which is now strangling our city and lower the standard of living in our once beautiful city"...or something like that:cheers:

there was a report in todays Courier mail that people who are cyncial live 5 years less then optimistic people... fact.

Thats one of them

This one is the mostly commonly played though >>>> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BqmwhCfQglk

There is also one with the lady going to the NRMA Office.

Sorry to keep hassling you on the NRMA, but do they have the roadside service in Queensland for members?


nope. never seen that ad before. most of the NRMA ads have the broncos in them. they have come back this year due to popular demand. theres a classic one with dane carlaw, shane webke & corey parker. the ' i hate those melbourne players' one. CLASSIC!!!

also, ive never seen an NRMA roadside truck, so i guess not

No ads with the broncos down here. I guess they are tailoring the ads to local audiences. I'm noticing this with their ads in local papers in Sydney too.

Short article about the Dubai trip, wouldn't it be nice if he brought back some Dubai investors and developers!:)

Brisbane trade delegation due tomorrow

MANAMA: The Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Campbell ******, is leading a business and trade delegation from Australia's fastest growing region that will arrive in Bahrain tomorrow.

The delegation, which will also visit Abu Dhabi and Dubai as part of the 11-day trip to the Gulf, is coming to investigate trade and investment opportunities.

Representatives from the Australian city's building and construction, education, food and beverages, engineering, information and communications, technology and the environmental industry are taking part in the mission.

"Brisbane is currently enjoying a very exciting period of growth and is now the centre of the second fastest growing region in the western world," said Lord ******.

"As the third largest municipality in the world, containing Australia's fastest growing industrial, international trade and business precinct, Brisbane has much to offer international business interests and we are also keen to explore business interests in Bahrain and the UAE.

"Economic growth in Brisbane is running at more than four per cent, well above the Australian average. Brisbane, the capital of Queensland, is situated in the southeast of Australia.

It is recognised as the economic and employment hub of the region and an additional one million residents are expected to live there by the year 2026.

During the trip, the Lord ****** will invite a delegation of civic, commercial and cultural representatives from Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, and Dubai to visit the 2007 Asia Pacific Cities Summit, being held in Brisbane in September.

News to me!!!! Dickheads!!!

there was a report in todays Courier mail that people who are cyncial live 5 years less then optimistic people... fact.

Actually that is not cynisism, it is realism his part.

There is way too little money being spent on public transport.

I think Campbell's trip is a great idea!! Just like the premier's overseas trade efforts.

Beattie scraps water poll amid 'Armageddon situation'

Queensland Premier Peter Beattie has dumped plans for a poll on recycled water, saying there is no choice but to introduce it permanently into south-east Queensland's drinking water supplies.

Mr Beattie says the March 17 plebiscite will not go ahead as an "Armageddon situation" is fast approaching.

"I apologise to the people of south-east Queensland for obviously breaking an understanding I gave them but that was in less serious circumstances," he said.

"I wanted to give people a vote and it appeared using recycled water was an option but the inflow into the Wivenhoe-Somerset dam system is currently 20 per cent lower than the worst on record."

The Premier will outline further details of his plan later today.

Brisbane's Acting Mayor David Hinchliffe supports the decision to scrap the referendum and go ahead with the plan.

"Frankly I don't think the Government has got any alternative - we are in a dire situation," he said.

"We've had rain in the last 48 hours but it hasn't fallen in the catchment and that has been the pattern for the last two years.

"There is no alternative and we support the Government's scrapping of the referendum and it's full speed ahead for the recycling of water."
Toowoomba Mayor

Toowoomba Mayor Di Thorley says it is a great decision, despite residents there voting against using recycled water last year.

"Our view always was it was ridiculous to waste money on going to have any vote on something as important as water, and also on [the] fact that this water was safe, safer than the water we're using," she said.

"So we didn't believe [in] having the first one, certainly didn't believe in the second one, so we'll be supporting the Premier."

The good people of Toowoomba said no to drinking sewage water. They were smart people.

But this democratic result was not to the liking of the dictators we have in govt in this state. So Beattie and Thorely ignore the will of the people and wanted another referendum anyway. If that wasn't the height of contempt for the electorate I don't know what was. They got an answer, the answer was no and they rubbish it. Utter contempt.

Of course now they don't even want to put it to a vote. They will force us to drinking sewage water. Is this a democracy? It's a joke of a democracy.

Forcing through half assed solutions to cover the decades of their incompetence in managing a water system is not an answer. Of course they will spend multi millions on ads to brainwash simple minded joe public to believe anything, fear of a big bad Armageddon scenario means it's too important a decision for you to have a say anymore... well, that's an old trick amongst politicians.

Something is rotten in the state of Queensland and it's not just our future drinking water.

You have an issue with drinking recycled water?

Its cleaner than the water that falls straight into the dam....

If u really have that much of an issue with drinking it however, buy water from neverfail or one of those companies. The End.

Im sure its better to let nimby conservative people who think "Recycled water!~?" and picture us drinking brown water with floaties vote no to it .... so we can have no water, isnt it.

And for the record whether decades of bad water management is to blame or not, are you saying that they should instead of applying a 'quick easy' fix, they should instead let us go thirsty?

^^ Agreed (with Locke that is)

If we are not getting the rainfall, build desalination plants.

And anyway huge amounts of water are lost due to pipe leaks, that governments have skimped on paying for the repair of for years.

And now they talk about the "Armageddon situation", what bullshit.

Recycled water is not cleaner than that dam water. How can people think this? It is not possible to probably filter recycled water (which is a nice term for it, but let's be honest, you are drinking shit and urine and who knows what), things get through, hormones, drugs etc. Each one needs to be filtered out separately that is a hell of a job and you can be 100 percent damn sure they will not get everything.

Recycled water is drunk next to nowhere in the world. Even the places that are touted as 'recycled water' users like Singapore only use it in less than 1 percent of some water. It is not drunk ANYWHERE in the world in anything like the quantities proposed here. What they are proposing is reckless and dangerous.

Don't just fall hook line and sinker for everything Beattie tells you. He talks shit half the time and this is a prime example (literally I might add). Try and remember he has his own political agenda that is first and foremost in driving this water policy! They want it off the radar and they don't care how.

I don't see anyone going thirsty. You do realise that if they wanted to they could quite easily build proper water infastructure in the time required, recycled water is only chosen because it's the cheap and nasty solution. How can you gamble on people's health like that?

What you call the nimby view Malt happens in fact to be your view. Nimbys love recycled water because they are against proper infastructure - Damns, desal, they wish to avoid doing a proper job and seek this 'quick and easy fix'. Well guess what there is not quick and easy fix, just a quick and nasty fix. Why put the public at risk with untested and unproven technologies (even the CSIRO admit it would take years to test it).

I don't know, I really wonder about this state sometimes. Nowhere else in the world has allowed themselves to be duped like this, but whatever crap Beattie mutters people just lap this crap up like it's gospel.

love the passion

Maybe we need to start a thread about Water Recycling - perhaps with a poll?

Sorry Locke and Aussie - but I agree with Malt.

I think that the primary barrier to drinking recycled water is purely psychological.

...

We have actually been drinking recycled water for the entire time humans have walked the planet. There is no factory in the sky manufacturing water...it has been here for millions of years. In that time every drop will have been through the kidneys and bowels of millions of animals. The glass of water you drink from a tap was pissed out of animals sometime somewhere.
Tank water is similar....runs of roofing that has dust, chemicals and bird shit all over it...straight into tanks then we drink it.
Ausilencer is correct...the barrier to drinking recycled water is psychological, not based on scientific fact.

This is totally different Bribri.

Water can be cleaned by being recycled through the Earth, that is in fact the only way to truly clean dirty water. But this is nothing like the process used by humans to supposedly purify sewage water, that process is flawed.

The barrier is well and truly based on scientific fact, if the water was the same I wouldn't have a problem either, but it's not the same. Might taste and look the same but it's not.

The water that we clean ourselves, locke, is so much cleaner than anything that earth recycles.

The water that we clean ourselves, locke, is so much cleaner than anything that earth recycles.

I'm afraid that statement is 100 percent wrong Malt.

^^ In some places there is water in underground caves that is said to be the purest water ever found. When scientists explore it they wear special suits so as not to leave a single trace from their bodies or their equipment which could cause contanimation, even at minute levels.

^^ In some places there is water in underground caves that is said to be the purest water ever found. When scientists explore it they wear special suits so as not to leave a single trace from their bodies or their equipment which could cause contanimation, even at minute levels.
So no peeing in the water?

i guess in light of tysons information its not 100% correct. its more.. 99% correct.

The filtration process actually removes minerals from the water. It removes so much that it takes the minerals with it. Which is one reason u cant drink it directly after the process, as it will drain minerals from your body. Or so the man at the sewage plant told me when I went there 2 years ago.

They have the facility now at nudgee(or whatever that suburb is) and the water is used for industrial purposes for companies that need clean water, just so that they dont use the water we need to drink.

The cleanliness and safety of the water is honestly not an issue. It is your psychological barrier.

i sometimes forget to wash my hands after pottie... so i dont really think it matters how clean my drinking water is.

i sometimes forget to wash my hands after pottie... so i dont really think it matters how clean my drinking water is.
haha, i almost fell off my chair.:lol:

i sometimes forget to wash my hands after pottie... so i dont really think it matters how clean my drinking water is.

I concur.

I concur.
Fuck your posts shit me. All you post is two-word nothing's!!

^^ C'mon now BrizzyChris don't start getting all superior on us. You have Batman as your avatar, I don't think you're quite in a position to judge!

^^ says you who hasnt got one! lol

Fuck your posts shit me. All you post is two-word nothing's!!

It's important to express how you feel, that's all I do. Any contribution is better than none. If I have something intelligent to add to something, then I'm happy to talk about the topic or issue at hand. Otherwise, I am direct and to the point about expressing how I feel about something. Would you prefer if I just lurked? I know you make a valuable contribution to this whole forum and I enjoy reading your posts, you seem to be an informed person.

^^ says you who hasnt got one! lol

LOL!! It broke, and I can't fix it.... :nuts:

It's important to express how you feel, that's all I do. Any contribution is better than none. If I have something intelligent to add to something, then I'm happy to talk about the topic or issue at hand. Otherwise, I am direct and to the point about expressing how I feel about something. Would you prefer if I just lurked? I know you make a valuable contribution to this whole forum and I enjoy reading your posts, you seem to be an informed person.

Stick to the two-word posts.... LOL.

LOL!! It broke, and I can't fix it.... :nuts:

Go into User CP, its all up and running again. But if you had a personalised avatar, you will need to upload it again.

And no more bad words about Batman...otherwise he kick yo ass biatch.

Stick to the two-word posts.... LOL.

I will.

I just lurk, what's the point about getting involved in a discussion about water re-cycling.

Hello, please see these photos of the ANL sign taken from my living room...

http://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=anlsd2.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/my.php?image=anlkx5.jpg

The facts on the ANL sign are:
- the sign was installed 6 months after about 1000 BCC residents moved into the residential only tower. Thus it was not there first.
- council have breached their own signage legislation 6 times by approving this sign.
- This sign is 3 times larger then it is legally allowed to be. This is taken in proportion to the site.
- The sign degrades the nearby queen street heritage vista (there are 4 1880s heritage listed structures within 100 metres of it)
- ANL has 2 signs, one has great exposure to the river/storey bridge and causes no problems, the second sign only blasts the CUA and Aurora buildings.
- Council will not reverse their wrong decision on this matter as they are fearful of being sued by ANL.
- Council have admitted that they would not approve this sign in this location again.
- Council collects $600,000/anum in rates from Aurora residents.


Now it is correct that there are noise, light, pollution issues in the city, most of which were addressed in the Aurora buildings design, however, if a law should protect residents from these problems being greatly exacervated into the future and it doesn't then there is room to whinge about it.

Now if this sign was correctly sized at 12 m2 rather then 42 m2 (as per the law) then there would be no problem.

If you really do live in Aurora, then get over it. You live in the CBD.

Please move to Kangaroo Point if you want an apartment building with out commercial signage blasting you.

Are you for real????????????
Why are you living in a highrise in the middle of the city... Id suggest you sell up and move out to Toowoomba away from all those big nasty distracting lights (that you only have to put up with until 10.30)!!!!!

If someone did that outside my window, id complain. But I dont live in the CBD, specifically the golden triangle, the main business area.

I can see where your coming from, but you made a choice to live in an area made for business, and because of that the business should have priority.

but why dont you have curtains? or blinds?

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/7104/anlkx5.jpg

Hello, please see these photos of the ANL sign taken from my living room...

http://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=anlsd2.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/my.php?image=anlkx5.jpg

The facts on the ANL sign are:
- the sign was installed 6 months after about 1000 BCC residents moved into the residential only tower. Thus it was not there first.
- council have breached their own signage legislation 6 times by approving this sign.
- This sign is 3 times larger then it is legally allowed to be. This is taken in proportion to the site.
- The sign degrades the nearby queen street heritage vista (there are 4 1880s heritage listed structures within 100 metres of it)
- ANL has 2 signs, one has great exposure to the river/storey bridge and causes no problems, the second sign only blasts the CUA and Aurora buildings.
- Council will not reverse their wrong decision on this matter as they are fearful of being sued by ANL.
- Council have admitted that they would not approve this sign in this location again.
- Council collects $600,000/anum in rates from Aurora residents.


Now it is correct that there are noise, light, pollution issues in the city, most of which were addressed in the Aurora buildings design, however, if a law should protect residents from these problems being greatly exacervated into the future and it doesn't then there is room to whinge about it.

Now if this sign was correctly sized at 12 m2 rather then 42 m2 (as per the law) then there would be no problem.

move to the suburbs then, you wannabe yuppy.

*yawn* Get over it.

i raise the question to why the sign was allowed to go up when it is so friggin ugly. id be pissed if i paid a shiteload of money for those apartments and for some piece of shit stumpy ugly office block to go put up an even uglier neon that would give me a suntan at night.

Hmm it is interesting how many forumers are suggesting that Aurora residents just get over it or move to the suburbs - yet in other threads are very receptive of the number of residential towers in the city. If short, ugly buildings like ANL can easily put up very bright neon signs that shine directly into residential towers, apartment prices will be negatively affected (i.e. the 15 affected levels of Aurora would no doubt combine to have a significant depreciation in resale price since the installation of the sign), law suits will increase causing problems for the council and developers. Developers would have trouble selling lower level floors because of severe light pollution and in the end may be scared away from building anything at all. Demand for inner-city living will drop if this sort of thing becomes common-place.

Remember that the major additions to Brisbane's skyline in the last couple of years (i.e. Aurora and Riparian and many that are currently under construction) have large residential components - and so will many future ones we are all excited about (especially Vision). Yes people who don't like bright lights shining through their apartments can move to the suburbs - but do you all really want that to come at the expense of residential towers like Vision in Brisbane's CBD because nobody wants to live in the city?

I personally love the look of neon lights on the tops of buildings and creates a great night skyline - but from the pictures that BrisbaneCityWhinger posted - I must say the ANL sign is slightly beyond reason and I can understand the complaints of the residents.

Perhaps a sign the same size, but Instead of projecting the light, it has lights shining on it....

Perhaps they should replace it with a light that obeys the signage laws? If this sign is really illegal then the residents should considering sueing the council for allowing it to affect their ammenity.

From the picture it doesn't look so unbearable on first sight, but I don't think photos are good at capturing the effect. Everyone says you should expect a few bright lights if you move in the city, but consider how dim the rest of the city lights look at comparison. I suspect this is a bit like having a car parked outside your house with its headlights pointed at your lounge room.

I think investing in some good curtains might help for this apartment. Still, it would be irritating.

- council have breached their own signage legislation 6 times by approving this sign.

I'd be interested to know in which ways, other than your claim that it is 3 times the size (more on that below)?

Now if this sign was correctly sized at 12 m2 rather then 42 m2 (as per the law) then there would be no problem.

I personally doubt that it actually is that large, or that the sign can only be 12sq m, for that matter.

Firstly, the law states that signs can be no more than 6% of the area of the site and the ANL site is at least 600sqm. That would give them an 36sqm sign. Next, the area of skyscraper lit signs is only the area that is lit....in other words work out the toal area of the letters. On the previous page it is claimed the letters are 3.5m height, thus I doubt the total area would surpass 20sqm.

- The sign degrades the nearby queen street heritage vista (there are 4 1880s heritage listed structures within 100 metres of it)

Strictly speaking, so would almost everything else in the area.....

In relation to the size; the TOTAL amount of advertising on any site is allowed to be 6% of the site area, the site area of this building is 476m2. 0.06 x 476 = 28.5m2. There is about 4m2 of advertising at street level (including the famous ANAL House signs) and two signs on top of the building. Therefore (28.5-4)/2 = 12.25m2 for each of the two building top signs. Therefore the sign is 3 times bigger then it is allowed to be.

This 6% constriction came in under the 2005 Legislation and is not retrospective to existing advertising, so there probably are instances of non-conforming signs around.

BTW: CP1 has 4% advertising, CP2 has 5%.

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/bccwr/lib191/advertisements_local_law_2005_fulldoc.pdf

I cannot find any limitations on the sign size in there.

^
assuming that the signs actually are 42sq m (which i don't agree with)

you also didn't respond to my question of which are the other 2 reasons the signs shouldn't have been approved.

If the sign has actually breached the rules, then I'd say it should be removed....

Brisbane fills up fast (http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,20867,21149912-25658,00.html)
Maurice Dunlevy
February 01, 2007

BRISBANE is leading a fall in fringe and suburban office market vacancies across the nation.
The falls are a flow-on from strong CBD office markets according to Jones Lang LaSalle's latest national office snapshot, which finds that 190,000sqm of office space was leased last year in the top eight suburban office markets.
The survey, a week ahead of the release of the Property Council office report, finds that strong tenant demand has resulted in falling vacancies and rising rents in many fringe and suburban markets.

The agency says its research reveals that Brisbane's fringe vacancy rate had dropped to a record low of 2.5 per cent, while rents have increased between 35 and 45 per cent over the past year.

Nationally, vacancy rates fell in all monitored CBD and suburban markets in 2006, Jones Lang LaSalle research head Kathryn Matthews said.

In CBDs, 465,800sqm of space was taken up during the year. The December quarter was strongest, with absorption of 151,500sqm.

Brisbane returned the best December quarter figure, absorbing almost 54,000sqm. It was followed by Sydney's 45,000sqm and Melbourne's 39,000sqm.

The spinoff for fringe and suburban markets had been a fall in vacancies, she said, with a weighted average suburban rate of 7.5 per cent compared with 6.1 per cent for CBDs.

Suburban rents had started to accelerate, growing 8.4 per cent during 2006, but that growth was overshadowed by a 17.4 per cent increase in CBDs.

comment: those are fantastic figures, and certainly justifies further commerical developments

http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/bccwr/lib191/advertisements_local_law_2005_fulldoc.pdf

I cannot find any limitations on the sign size in there.

Please see:

See page 36 (pdf page 5)
Schedule 4, Item 1 (2)

"Site" is defined on Page 55 (pdf page 24)
Schedule 5, Part 1 (2)

Hello, please see these photos of the ANL sign taken from my living room...

http://img79.imageshack.us/my.php?image=anlsd2.jpg
http://img526.imageshack.us/my.php?image=anlkx5.jpg

The facts on the ANL sign are:
- the sign was installed 6 months after about 1000 BCC residents moved into the residential only tower. Thus it was not there first.
- council have breached their own signage legislation 6 times by approving this sign.
- This sign is 3 times larger then it is legally allowed to be. This is taken in proportion to the site.
- The sign degrades the nearby queen street heritage vista (there are 4 1880s heritage listed structures within 100 metres of it)
- ANL has 2 signs, one has great exposure to the river/storey bridge and causes no problems, the second sign only blasts the CUA and Aurora buildings.
- Council will not reverse their wrong decision on this matter as they are fearful of being sued by ANL.
- Council have admitted that they would not approve this sign in this location again.
- Council collects $600,000/anum in rates from Aurora residents.


Now it is correct that there are noise, light, pollution issues in the city, most of which were addressed in the Aurora buildings design, however, if a law should protect residents from these problems being greatly exacervated into the future and it doesn't then there is room to whinge about it.

Now if this sign was correctly sized at 12 m2 rather then 42 m2 (as per the law) then there would be no problem.

Dude, I have the answer to your problem - I will swap apartments with you... I live in a second floor apartment in Harcourt Street New Farm and I have a view of the Riparian Spire... just let me know a weekend that suits and we'll make the swap... I own some curtains and blinds so I will be able to combat the ANL sign... and so you won't be blinded by the two red lights of the Riparian Spire, I'll leave behind an old shower curtain of mine :nuts:

BrisbaneCityWhinger, perhaps this isn't the right forum for you? If you haven't noticed, most people on here are pro development. I would have to second that Brissy Phil! Can we trade apartments? I would love to have that view with the ANL sign... I looked at an apartment on the back side of Aurora with the Boeing neon sign virtually 2 meters from the balcony and loved it. Buy some blinds or leave that apartment vacant so people who enjoy that inner city (glow) can rent it :D! Please don't whinge... Brisbane is finally coming of age and i think we have long past that "country town image". Our CBD is extremely dense, so this is going to happen over and over again if people don't adapt or simply move away.

Sorry... I just feel compelled to post my view about this.

For me, the issue would be a legal one.

If the sign is indeed illegal - then it should be removed and the residents have a right to complain. What is the point of having signage laws if you are just going to ignore them. The law should be respected.

If however the sign is legal, then I think the residents will need to get over it and face the fact that they are living in the city.

That said, I can understand the problem - I would certainly not like a massive sign outside my window either - but I chose not to live in the city...

My thoughts exactly Ausilencer, well put!!

On another topic, I finally went to check out Brisbane Square today, and am very impressed. My main motivation for going there was to check out the city model though, but apparently it has been dismantled and put into storage due to it being out of date. I know there were a number of blocks on the city model that needed to be updated, but from memory of last time I saw it, every new completed building was on the model, even Charlotte Towers. I hope they bring it back soon!!!

S-E Queensland back on the boom
3 February 2007 - The Sydney Morning Herald

LEIGHTON Holdings' move this week to take a 40 per cent interest in the Brisbane home builder, Devine Ltd, comes at a time when the experts are predicting good times for Queensland.

In its latest report, LandMark White says the Gold Coast residential market has kicked off 2007 strongly, continuing the increased level of activity of the latter part of 2006.

The report says despite prices stagnating throughout 2005, late 2006 did generate increased interest and substantial price growth.

But the report also suggests there is a two-tiered market on the coast.

"The most evident trend witnessed throughout 2006 was the divergence in demand for a range of products, with prime stock selling at rates not seen since the boom period of 2002-03," the report says.

"Conversely, the higher-priced secondary product is receiving limited interest resulting in longer sales periods, while lower-priced stock saw the ability to yield a reasonable return. This criteria is currently being benefited by the increased demand for rental accommodation with many purchasers factoring in potential rent increases resulting in capital gain."

According to the group it is apparent that the developments which are proposed or under construction on quality sites are achieving record pre-sales.

"Although those sales which are occurring appear to be price point driven with affordability still being a critical requirement for the success of all projects."

The report says one stand-out is the level of stock remaining on the upper levels of various recently completed high-rise buildings. It appears that those remaining large apartments within various building are much harder to sell than the price pointed stock. "However, these remaining high priced apartments are somewhat expected given the growing issue of affordability. This in turn significantly slows the sales rate, reflecting the limited depth to the market, with potential purchasers being afforded a degree of choice," the report says.

"This most recent wave of market activity continues to fuel the debate regarding the longevity of the real estate market in south-east Queensland, with many speculating on a broad spectrum of possible outcomes.

"However, the re-occurring motif within this debate continues to be the current level of intrastate migration, strong jobs growth and significant business and infrastructure investment which continues to drive the local economy.

"Of the 1054 units currently remaining for sale, 330 (31.3 per cent) are within Surfers Paradise. Of the close to 5000 units being formally marketed and/or under construction, 41 per cent (2051 units) are within Surfers Paradise.

Reaching to the sky
Daryl Passmore
Sunday Mail
February 04, 2007 11:00pm


BRISBANE will become a city of boulevards under a bold vision to make it one of the world's most livable urban centres.

People will be encouraged to stroll around the city centre using a series of tree-lined avenues linking recreational and transport hubs and river crossings.

Higher priority for pedestrians is a key theme of the Brisbane City Centre Master Plan 2026, adopted by the city council last year and the result of years of work by a team led by Trevor Reddacliff, who chaired the Urban Renewal Task Force until his death in 2005.

Lord Mayor Campbell ****** is committed to implementing the vision, which drew on lessons from of some of the world's most vibrant cities including Berlin, Barcelona, Seattle, Portland and Melbourne.

"The aim is for Brisbane to be a world-class city. It's a genuine Pacific Rim city with enormous potential for growth," Cr ****** said.

"Our opportunities and lifestyle factors mean we can be right up there among the most attractive places to be."

Green corridors connect shady public spaces and the river is a major focus.

New buildings are likely to be taller and narrower to allow glimpses of the river, parks and other features.

"It's about opening up the city," says Amanda Cooper, a policy adviser to Cr ****** on planning issues.

Developers also will be encouraged to build "active frontages" to buildings – sheltered plazas where people can gather.

Highlights include:


Western Gateway
The Grey St boulevard will continue across the river, with cycle lanes and better pedestrian access over the William Jolly Bridge. On the north side, E.E. McCormick Place will be re-designed as a plaza to the river, to make it the obvious western gateway to the CBD and South Bank.


Caxton St/Petrie Terrace
Construction is expected to start within two months on a $120 million redevelopment of the historic police barracks. The heritage-listed buildings will be refurbished and offices, a supermarket and cinema complex built. A mall will link to a pedestrian bridge from Caxton St to Roma St.


Roma St
A 25-storey redevelopment of the Transit Centre will help revitalise Roma St as a boulevard connecting the Roma St Parklands with King George Square, via a new Upper Albert St plaza.


North Quarter
To the south of Roma St, around $200 million of commercial and residential development is planned by a consortium to create the North Quarter Precinct, which will link to the river at North Quay. A pedestrian bridge at Tank St will connect North Quarter to the Gallery of Modern Art.


North Bank
This multibillion-dollar State Government initiative will transform the face of the CBD. Stretching 2km between the William Jolly and Goodwill bridges, the redevelopment, taking up to 15 years, will include leisure facilities, public spaces and retail, commercial and residential buildings.
Two short-listed tenderers, Multiplex and Lend Lease, have been asked to submit more details and a decision is expected in the first half of this year.


Albert and Alice streets
Albert St will become a green "spine" between the Roma St Parkland and the Botanic Gardens, with pedestrian priority extended to the section between Ann and Turbot streets.
Alice St, to be a park-like boulevard, would connect Edward St to a new pedestrian bridge across the river to Kangaroo Point.


City Heart
A major shopping, tourism and transport hub will focus on King George Square. A busway and cycle centre, to store city workers' bikes, is being built under the square.

It will remain the major gathering space in the city centre and will be redeveloped by the end of next year. The design, winner of a recent competition, features a huge veranda-type structure in the square and a large screen to show major events.

The Queen St Mall will be extended to the river.

Adelaide St is identified as the major route for a possible new mass transit system, such as light rail, which would link the city centre with Fortitude Valley and West End via an Adelaide St public transport bridge over the river. The State Government's focus on busways raises a big question mark, however.


Central Station
An urban plaza is planned to create a major new public space over the exposed rail corridor at the intersection of Turbot and Creek streets. It will connect Spring Hill to the CBD, and create views along Creek St to the river and Kangaroo Point.


Eagle St
A riverside plaza would connect the fig tree traffic island to the water as part of a pedestrian precinct. An integrated bus, rail and ferry terminal is envisaged, with Eagle St the site of one of two new CBD underground railway stations. The other would be at Gardens Point.


Centenary Place
Landscaping, and the making of Queen St into a boulevard between Centenary Place and Customs House, would reinforce this area as the CBD's northern gateway.


Howard Smith Wharves
Nestled under the Story Bridge, the site lends itself to a mix of public space and commercial options.

Vertical villages as construction kicks in
Daryl Passmore
Sunday Mail
04/02/07

An unprecedented multibillion-dollar building bonanza is about to transform Brisbane's skyline. The Queensland capital is powering ahead as the centre of the second-fastest growing region in the Western world.
Lord Mayor Campbell ******'s office says the investment potential for Brisbane is estimated at five times that of Sydney in the build-up to the 2000 Olympics.
'There are so many construction companies rubbing shoulders to get a presence in Brisbane', council planning policy adviser Amanda Cooper says.
And Stephen Conry, managing director of Jones Lang LaSalle Queensland, says we just can't build quickly enough to keep up with demand.
Vancancy rates for office space in Brisbane's CBD at the end of 2006 were just 0.7 per cent.
'The vacancy rates are not only at a record low, they are so low its difficult to even calculate', he said.
'The previous low - 25 years ago was 1.6 per cent', he said.
'We have a high level of demand matched with a strong economy and strong growth and economic optimism. That's a good cocktail for more development.'

With that sort of demand and no room to spread outwards, the only way is up.
Brisbane's tallest building is the 220m Aurora, completed last year - a 69 level luxury apartment block including 18 so-called skyhomes on the top four storeys.
The same developer, Amalgamated Property Group, is aiming to nudge even higher with another 69 level tower virtually next door to Aurora, on the Red Cross site at 480 Queen St. The 250m tall development will include commercial, residential and a hotel and is estimated to be worth about $600 million.
And even that will be overshadowed by two other skyscrapers by two other skyscrapers planned for the CBD.
Empire Square, which was given the go-ahead by the council late last year, will be a sleek 72-storey glass tower stretching 245m above Elizabeth St with offices, 120 units and a 290-room hotel.
Then there's Vision, described as a 'vertical village', planned for a site connecting Mary and Margaret streets. Developer Austcorp says construction will begin in the first half of this year.
The $900 million development will climb 283m, making it Brisbane's tallest buiding. Plans include a three-level plaza of shops and restuarants, 66 floors of apartments and offices - and a two level obvservation deck and sky lounge offering views across the city and out to Moreton Bay.
It is expected to become a major tourist attraction.
'Vision gives Brisbane people their observation deck to rival Melbourne's Rialto Towers and the Syndey Tower. It puts Brisbane on the map and is the iconic building the city has been calling for,' says developer Austcorp.

Other city centre projects approved or awaiting the green light include:

* A 59-floor clock at 549 Queen St with 206 units as well as shops, offices and restuarants on the lower levels.
* A 43 storey mixed commercial and residential development at 484 Adelaide st.
* A 25 storey redevelopment of the Transit Centre at Roma St.
* A 33 floor office tower next to the recently refurbished McDonnell and East building in George St, including gym, childcare facilities, food outlets and large numbers of bicycle racks and showers to encourage people to ride to work. This development will be seeking five-star Green Star accreditation for its high use of natural daylight, and water and energy efficency features.
* A 35 storey office block approved for a site between Turbot St and Tank St.

These two last projects will form part of a $1.8 buillion 'North Quarter' precinct development to bring new life to the tired area between George St and North Quay.
Property consultant Michael Matusik, who specialises in the residential market, said there were plans to build about 8000 apartments within a 4-5km radius of the GPO.
But he believed many of the proposals would never go ahead. 'It's increasingly expensive to build, particularly anything with any real height'. he said.
Those which combined commercial use with residences were most likely to succeed, Mr Matusik said.
A study released last week by Rider Hunt, the state's biggest property and construction consultancy, showed the cost of building has soared in central Brisbane.
The city, which four years ago had the lowest construction costs of any Australian capital, is now the fourth most expensive.
But Mr Conry said he did not believe it would dampen developers' enthusiasm. 'The demand is incredibly strong. Construction costs are a fact of life but people need buildings to accommodate their businesses. It's as simple as that.'

These are the types of articles I like to read!

'Tall and slim' is the future, could it get any better! I see big things in our future.

Good article.
Brisbane is definitely powering ahead.
I miss seeing new buildings being built, cranes on the skyline, massive infrastructure proposals and all the other consequences of a powering economy.

Sydney is DEAD in that sense.

Queen street mall will be extended to the river??

Is that all the way to Eagle Street Pier?

no. its actually been done with brisbane square. if the adelaide st bus bridge goes ahead under the CBD masterplan, then the victoria bridge will become more of a pedestrian friendly bridge.

* A 59-floor clock at 549 Queen St with 206 units as well as shops, offices and restuarants on the lower levels.
Clock?

The rest all sounds positively divine.

^^ do you mean divine as in really good, or as in Devine..... And clock? That'd be hell cool!