.....newman is an asshole.

No construction activity in Brisbane yesterday or today. Anyone know why? A protest about the return of the Howard government? :)

No construction activity in Brisbane yesterday or today. Anyone know why? A protest about the return of the Howard government? :)

Yes I noticed that - no engine noises in the sky from cranes. I didn't see any thing on the news about it.

jt

I spotted traffic counting people (people on a fold out chair with a palm pilot) along most of the Northbank site today. Perhaps some work in relation to the Northbank project?

Yeah they were doing that around Albion railway station this morning too? May have something to do with the northern bypass as well.

There was an actual person counting the traffic? Why wouldn't they use a automatic traffic counter with tubes running across the road. At least he wasn't using a clopboard :)

I agree, The old lady I saw next to the Mecure hotel was wearing a TTM or TTN cap. I thought it was strange to use a person, given that it would be cheaper to run a traffic counter across the road. There was a guy on the Brisbane Square corner and on Turbot Street too.

It would be TTM.

Actual people are used to count cars at intersections for several reasons.
1. They count the turning movments of the vehicles. It is nearly impossible to do that with tube counters.
2. Count the types of vehicles. Cars, trucks, taxis, buses etc...
and
.
.
.
3. They are also counting pedestrians walking through the intersection. So, they are lookoing at you too.

oh, and the Albion stuff would be for something else.
Traffic counting out the Brisbane Square and Turbot St would probably more than likely be for a possible development in the area rather than for Northbank. Are there any blocks of land there? Old Georgian Site?

Oh, traffic information can also be determined from the inductive loop detectors embeded into the pavement at signalised intersections.

From Todays City News.

Approval granted for 45 Story tower.

Construction is due to start next year on an 80 million, 45 story tower at Petrie Bight after a heritage listing was stripped from the proposed site - Jamesons Building (Circa & McArthur)

It will consist of:
70 apartments
Podium
Restaurants
Cafes
Executive Center and offices.

Developers are Urban Properties and the project is due for competion in 2007.

It said the tower will have a 5 star environmental energy rating.

See page 11.

_____________________________________________________________________
In other news it looks like the developers of Emerald might persue court action on the basis that the state goverernment only has the right to intervene if the tower was of "state significance". They argue "how could a tall building in Brisbane be of state significance".

Looks like we have a bit more of a fight. - see page 5.
____________________________________________________________________

There is also a small render of the second gateway bridge in the airport section on page 6.
http://www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/MRWEB/Prod/Content.nsf/b495dab138a6b17a4a256a42001c8f4f/fd7d1e134fb4fb3f4a256da4007a1e6a/Body/23.3660!OpenElement&FieldElemFormat=gif
__________________________________________________________________________

jt

Footprint for southeast to stretch west

Craig Johnstone, state editor
27oct04
IPSWICH is set to live up to its potential as the "Parramatta of southeast Queensland" with today's release of a new regional plan likely to provide the framework for a jobs and population explosion to the west of Brisbane.


Ipswich City Council is hoping the plan will reflect recent local masterplans which suggest the city and nearby towns will be able to sustain a population of more than 650,000 and about 310,000 jobs in future years.

The plan will detail a new urban footprint for the region, which will regulate future growth but seek to encourage development along the so-called "western corridor" near Springfield and the Ripley Valley.

However, some parts of the region will be locked away from development to preserve dwindling green open space and contain urban sprawl.


And inner city living is set to increase in density, particularly near public transport nodes.

The regional plan, to be released by Premier Peter Beattie, Planning Minister Terry Mackenroth and Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman this morning, will influence almost all future development in the state's southeast, the fastest-growing region in Australia, over the next 20 years.

Existing development rights will remain under the plan, but the Government has signalled it will stop development projects that it deems unsuitable for the urban footprint.

The draft plan will be open for public comment until February before the Government settles on a final plan by the middle of next year.

The Government promised to draw up the new approach to planning policy following a series of critical articles in The Courier-Mail last year highlighting the lack of attention given to proper urban planning in the region.

Southeast Queensland is expected to attract more than one million new residents over the next 15 years, increasing pressure on land availability and infrastructure such as roads and water supply.

Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale said yesterday his council had planned extensively for growth in and around the city.

"We are about making sure that we are part of the solution in southeast Queensland," he said.

However, the mayors of the 18 local councils in southeast Queensland remain concerned about the Government's willingness to include their input in the draft plan.

Cr Newman, who is also chairman of the Southeast Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils, said local government had not had the opportunity to peruse the plan.

Local mayors received a short briefing on the plan on Monday but it included few details about where the urban footprint would extend in the region and what limitations would be put on future development.

Mr Mackenroth has insisted the 84-page plan will be about managing rather than limiting growth in southeast Queensland.

However, he has already rebuffed attempts by the development lobby to have the plan reviewed every three years and has indicated that some rural landholders hoping to sell up to developers will be unhappy with the details of the plan.

http://www.couriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,11198375%255E3102,00.html

___________________________________________________________________________
jt

I wasn't sure where to post this but...

1) the final buildings on the southern end of the SW1 site are comming down. Not much left to go
2) The Allegro site is almost totally cleared.
3) The brick Melbourne street building is in the final few weeks of work. The lights were on tonight.
4) The scaffolding for Parklands is starting to come down in earnest.
5) Saville southbank is 3 levels above ground and climbing quite quickly.
6) The basement levels for Soho apartments (west end) have been poured, and structure for the ground level is being put in place.

1) TTM have been spotted counting traffic on the Indooroopilly Bridge all day Friday.
2) The Members club/stand has been completely demolished at the Gabba. Removal of what's left is currently underway.

1) A new crane has gone up over the State Library - they must be about to start work there.
2) There is a new crane going up on the modern art gallery site - that area should be a buzz of activity in the next few weeks - some nice crane porn.

jt

Dorothy's bulldozer just landed on bookshop in Elizabeth St. Looks quite a mess. And I quite liked that bookshop.

What is the story of the tressle supports up the entire length of the T&G Building (Albert Street)???

PS A great view of this is from Jo Jo's

they may be there for reno/cleaning?

Or more possibly the lowrise tower replacing the old cinemas right beside it has something to dow tih them.

Prime Site in the Courier Mail today reports that the George Street frontage of the former Georgian site has been sold to the owner of the neighbouring McDonnell and East building. The new owner is said to be planning a LOW RISE office building - what a waste!

Article also states that the McDonnell and East building is being redeveloped into a backpacker hostel with ground floor retail.

All in all a great disappointment compared to the original proposal.

they should put a minimum height on CBD developments.

A low rise office building will be nocked down within 10 years.

About that http://www.ourbrisbane.com/government/transactions/search/stuff/psf//y/b/p/rddf/i906334_0001.pdf

It says theyre applying to subdivide it.. currently their doing a temporary park until they are able to subdivide. Nothing about a small office building

an exact quote is:

Development Permit - (Provide details of the type of work eg. roadwork, stormwater, water and sewage infrastructure etc)
__________________
Landscaping - Landscaping of vacant building site prior to subdivision, as (temporary) open space.


The owner is "Urban Georgian PTY LTD"

Its a currently a pretty healthy commercial and residential market in Brisbane, so it would seem very perculiar to build low-rise - for any purpose.

Brisbane Square construction cam is now pointing at .............. Riparian!!!!!!!!!

Were soon to have 59 Scrapers over 90m
9 over 150m
3 over 200m
and 216 total

Not too bad for 1.75 million people.

If anyone would still like to see the Emerald Tower go ahead as planned, please email your support to:chrismclean@emeralddevelopments.com

It is not a totally hopeless case yet. Please don't assume that this development can simply be killed by only a couple of individuals. Go E.D.

Ill email him..

But explain to me how a few emails from us will make a difference?

It is not a totally hopeless case yet. Please don't assume that this development can simply be killed by only a couple of individuals. Go E.D.

Given that the Minister of Local Government has made a decision from the Call in of the application, this means a legal decision has been made.

The only hope for emerald is for them to submit a new application, an expensive business for a development that size.

Even so, I wish them luck.

Ill email him..

But explain to me how a few emails from us will make a difference?

*even the smallest person, can change the course of the future...*




* to bare a ring of power... is to be alone....*

About 20 minutes ago I was standing in a shop in the city when an announcement came over the radio, I didn't catch all of it only bits. Something about "space age" and "jetsons come to Brisbane" and "New office tower over Milton Station".

Can someone fill me in. It said this project was going to BCC and that the developers had rights to build above the station if they did it up.

Sounds good whatever it is - more for Milton.
jt

Nothing in google yet, if its that significant and it made the radio it may be on the news tonight :)

I just looked up the development applications. Nothing worth noting as an office tower. there are 2 office developments. One will be 3 stories on the corner of Railway tce and walsh st, and the other was just a refurb of a building already there.

pretty sure there was a proposal for a 5 story building over the station a few months back. Its either the same one, or a different proposal (genius statement of the year :) )

http://www.fkp.com.au/includes/content.asp?p=6&n=78

Northbank plans have been released.

Recieved this email today, not really sure why it was sent to me cos Im not a VIP or Ipswich resident, but good to finally see some higher development for Ipswich.

VIP Pre-Release – Ipswich’s Landmark Development

Following on from a very spirited public response to recent reports about plans to create Ipswich’s first ever high rise residential tower, we now are pleased to offer you, ahead of the market at large, an exclusive opportunity to secure a full private preview and briefing on this unique development. As yet, the developers have deliberately avoided making formal announcements about this landmark development.

However, it already is clear that the as yet un-named development will be a major residential statement on Ipswich’s skyline – 94 magnificent apartments together with a very limited number of two-level Sky Homes and Penthouses on arguably the best site in the City.

Multi-award winning architectural practice, MPS was commissioned to design a residential development of unrivalled quality, with the finest finishes as well as an outstanding parade of facilities including a private, owners’ Recreation Club akin to the finest spa resorts in the country.

Designed for living life to its fullest – designed to provide residents with the highest standards of personal and financial security.

Views will stretch in a vast panorama over the river, Ipswich City, mountains and towards the Brisbane CBD skyline. All residences will occupy a prestigious site within Ipswich City’s River Heart and al fresco precinct. To ensure that the City’s local VIP’s have a fair and equal opportunity to register their interest in the apartment, Sky Home or Penthouse of their choice without cumbersome or manipulated marketing queues, we have attached documentation which serves as an invitation to the VIP Pre-Launch announcement, as well as an Expression Of Interest Registration Form, and a reply envelope.

Bla Bla Bla........

hhhmmm. how tall do u think it will be?

im gonna guess 100m+

Depends how many stories, but by the sounds of it, it could be about 25-30 stories, which would make it about 80-90m.

Good to finally see something like this proposed in Ipswich. Hopefully it is only the beginning and we see a lot more high-rises around the CBD.

yes, we need our own "parramatta"

Depends how many stories, but by the sounds of it, it could be about 25-30 stories, which would make it about 80-90m.

Good to finally see something like this proposed in Ipswich. Hopefully it is only the beginning and we see a lot more high-rises around the CBD.

You may be right. I inquired about planning jobs recently to a friend who works with Ipswich City Council and he told me that they are in desperate need of planners - only trouble is they physically have nowhere to put new staff because they are already overcrowded in their current building. They are building a new one though but there is a lack of office space in Ipswich CBD which could see a few more office buildings being constructed.

jt

yes, we need our own "parramatta"


Allready do, it's just right on the door step of the city. Coro drive is a parra all by itself, same as Toowong.

Allready do, it's just right on the door step of the city. Coro drive is a parra all by itself, same as Toowong.
I'd say thats more like our North Sydney or St Kilda Road..

We need a large stand alone skyline more than 30km out - thats not the Gold Coast.

jt

Yeah, I spose you are right.

What about Indro or Springwood then, Any potential there??? Indro was going a bit mad when I left????

Logan??

All the city plans show the future major centres to be:

1. The CBD
2. Toowong
3. Indooroopilly
4. Brookside
5. Chermside
6. Toombul
7. Fortitude Valley
8. Carindale
9. Mt Gravatt

With Brookside, do you know if that includes the whole Mitchelton or Just the immediate area around the shopping centre?

well one of the labels has it as "Brookside" while ive seen another diagram/picture labeling mitchelton. So im guessing the shopping complex is the centre of it.

Oh true. Sounda about right seeing as the train station is only a few minutes away from the bus interchange. o/t but the squash centre across the road was knocked down a few months ago for a medium to high density housing project. This will probably mean it'll go ahead.

cant wait for them to upgrade that centre. Its getting old, and its too small. Needs multi-level and cinemas.

http://img23.exs.cx/img23/8353/transmajor8vh.jpg
http://img57.exs.cx/img57/4625/majcentres8fu.jpg

http://img90.exs.cx/img90/8421/brissscbanner6lu.jpg

man I love that photo. They had another brissy banner the other day on their main website.

Seca now has 2 750 mk2 Favcos on the Gabba cricket ground,not sure if its an upgrade or extension to the stands or something else entirely. :)

It's filling in the grandstand to make it go right the way around.

What wil its capacity be after that?

It will add an extra 5,000 seats up to 42,000. It will also add an extra food court and create new corporate/function rooms.

On completion, it would have to be close to the best venue for watching cricket & afl in the country. All the seating is nice and close to the action!

Howzit goin,

My name is brad and ive been reading the threads on this site for a long time now so i thought i would become a member now that i have cable access from work.

Look forward to talking with everyone soon.

Howzit goin,

My name is brad and ive been reading the threads on this site for a long time now so i thought i would become a member now that i have cable access from work.

Look forward to talking with everyone soon.

Welcome to the forum!

jt

Can someone tell me how to add pictures onto this stupid thing.

:bash:

:weirdo:

Can someone tell me how to add pictures onto this stupid thing.

copy and paste the URL of the image between these two bolded pieces of text

jt

The City West plan has been released for Milton Road, Victoria Barracks and Roma Street. It is all here if you want to have a look but similar to the Northbank 'plan' it is all artist impressions of what might be. Overall I don't think it is too bad, though the height limits arround the Barracks are a little disappointing. The whole thing is to be completed by 2009; It is nice to actually get a timetable....

The Barracks plan is probably going to be the one which attracts the most interest.

Stage 1 -

http://www.lgp.qld.gov.au/citywest/images/Stage-1_large.jpg

Stage 4 -

http://www.lgp.qld.gov.au/citywest/images/Stage-4_large.jpg

The plan does have more stuff arround milton and Roma Street station, with more towers arround the transit station planned (maybe they might take away from those black things)

wow it's about time they did soemthing to that run down area.. ans so close to my school too! il get to pass it everyday.

I think that looks like a pretty decent plan actually. But it looks like they change the exit to the William Jolly Bridge and part of Kelvin Grove Road, I would have to wonder what the effect on traffic will be...

I thought they just covered it? (the william Jolley exit)

I drive through those main roads everyday on my way to work and that is what I imagine everyday. I love it.

stage 1 is a great idea. Linking caxton st more directly to the city. Should of been done ages ago though. Looks good great plan. Is that develpment over the train tracks the parklands development or different? That will really cover up the eyesore of those tracks when entering the city.

^
The parklands development can be seen as white areas surrounded by red lines in near platform 10 in stage 1 and as a more complete render in stage 4 - so all that other stuff covering up the lines is new.

Looks like its back to work for the construction industry today. Work is underway at Brisbane Square today and Casino Towers has been underway since Friday. Casino Towers, Festival Towers and Parklands were all active on Saturday.

edit

Hey, I heard on Ten News that Brisbane's Eureka tower is extending it's height with a 50m Spire! :eek2:

Hey Nera 'a sbagliato'. Eureka is in Melbourne not Brisbane.

Hey, I heard on Ten News that .Eureka tower is extending it's height with a 50m Spire! :eek2:

The interesting bit is that it's going to be a comms tower. Due to the fact that comms towers are seen as 'removeable' they're not actually counted in height. So after insisting that spires don't count. 50m will be added to Eureka in a gesture that suggests that they don't believe what they are saying. And yet officially it will not change in height and still be shorter than Q1. :o

Really they should just leave it the same and stick with worlds highest apartments or something. Of course people are going to look at spires when seeing who's the tallest. But the height of the building isn't what sells apartments.

... But the height of the building isn't what sells apartments.

It'd actually be pretty funny if some GC apartment-hunters refused to buy an apartment in Q1 because a possibly taller building was being built in some other state. :D

Group welcomes surge in Qld tourism (http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200501/s1281746.htm)

Queensland's hotels, motels and apartments have proved more popular than their interstate counterparts last year.

Tourism Minister Margaret Keech says the state recorded the highest average room occupancy rate in Australia in the 12 months to the end of September.

The strongest growth was in Brisbane and the Gold Coast, where rates improved by 4.4 per cent.

Joyce Di Mascio from the lobby group, Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF), has welcomed the figures.

"Occupancy appears to be up and takings from accommodation are also up," she said.

"You know, it's been a tough time in the tourism industry over the last couple of years and the important thing that's happening is that the market's showing obvious signs of strengthening and we hope this can be maintained into the future."


And hooters (http://www.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,4057,11935044%255E3102,00.html) is coming to Brisbane.

Anyone know what is on the site at 217 Turbot St. I saw a render today for a project on the site, looks to be an office building of about 20 storeys. Looked sort of intersting in that at the base the building had a triangular plan, but by the time you reach the top, it had a square shaped plan. Exterior was all bluish/brownish glass squares and rectangles set out irreguarly across the facade. Keep an eye out, I dont know any more details that that.

Had another look, the brief asks for 20 to 30 levels of commercial space.

basically 80-120m

hope they suprise us with 130+ lol.

If not, go for the max 120m it will add alot to that area (refidex puts it around Mincom/Central Station)

I don't have anything as interesting as a 20-30 storey tower....

The 'landmark gateway' of the Valley has been released. And it is a 6 storey building. It is also next to the 14 storey building (Virgin blue, AAPT etc are based there) Not too bad a building but it doesn't seem so much a landmark.

http://images.fotopic.net/?iid=ysk37k&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

A newish development for Kangaroo point is this little residential village, that include 2 x 10 storey apartment blocks and a few 2 and 3 storey buildings. Even though the towers aren't particularly tall they should be clear in that little bunch of 8/9 storey buidlings that cover the are, having an RL of between 55-60m.

http://images3.fotopic.net/?iid=ysk37j&outx=600&noresize=1&nostamp=1

Wow, once The Hub is built (if its still going ahead) these two will certainly cleanup that little stretch of Wickham St, god knows it needs it.

P&O Cruises to Base Latest Ship in Brisbane (http://www.pocruises.com.au/html/p_o_cruises_to_base_latest_ship_in_brisbane_1.cfm)

P&O Cruises today announced it would base its latest ship, Pacific Star, in Brisbane from December.

P&O Cruises Managing Director Gavin Smith said the 1400-passenger Pacific Star would take over Pacific Sky’s existing cruise schedule on December 18, offering holidays to the South Pacific and North Queensland.

Mr Smith said Pacific Sky would remain with P&O Cruises’ fleet, operating an exciting range of new cruise itineraries from Melbourne, Auckland and Singapore.

The 35,000 ton Pacific Star is presently sailing as Costa Tropicale with Costa Cruises of Europe. It will officially join P&O Cruises fleet in October before sailing to its new home in Brisbane.

Announcing the move, Mr Smith described Pacific Star as the ideal ship for the Queensland market.

“Pacific Star recently had a US$30 million refit and is in superb condition. It’s a smart-looking vessel and we’re confident that passengers will love its many features, including its four dining venues, three swimming pools, wide open decks and choice of queen or twin bed configurations in most cabins.”

Mr Smith said Pacific Star’s Brisbane deployment made good sense from an operational perspective as its diesel engines would offer greater efficiencies than Pacific Sky’s steam engines, particularly on faster South Pacific runs. Pacific Star’s manoeuvring capabilities would also enable it to berth at Cairns’ main wharf on North Queensland cruises, eliminating the need for tender boats and allowing a longer stay.

He said the 1550-passenger Pacific Sky would offer four additional cruises from Brisbane in October before starting its season of cruises from Melbourne, Auckland and Singapore. The company’s 1900-passenger Pacific Sun will continue to operate South Pacific and Queensland cruises from Sydney.

P&O Cruises’ capacity in the Australian market will increase by 40 per cent from 3450 beds to 4850 beds with the addition of Pacific Star.

Having three ships in the market gives us huge flexibility,” Mr Smith said. “Not only can we offer a greater range of itineraries, we can sail from a wider range of ports in the Australasian region.

“The decision to base our latest ship, Pacific Star, in Brisbane demonstrates the success of our move last year to develop a homeport in the Queensland capital as well as our ongoing commitment to building the Australian cruise industry. We have been very pleased by the response to Pacific Sky since she started cruising from Brisbane in August 2004, and are looking forward to developing the Queensland market further.”

Pacific Star entered service in 1982 and originally sailed with Carnival Cruise Lines as Tropicale.

Mr Smith said Pacific Star would offer a “contemporary” cruise product similar to Pacific Sky and Pacific Sun, which feature great value cruises for couples, families and friends of all ages.

“Bookings for both Pacific Sky and Pacific Sun have been strong over the past year and we are very confident there is room for more growth in the cruise market.”

He said Pacific Star itineraries would be priced at the same level as Pacific Sky and Pacific Sun, with fares starting from A$1240 per person quad-share for a seven-night cruise. The ship’s maiden cruise will be a 10-night voyage to New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands and Vanuatu departing December 18.

There are a few articles of interest in the property section of City News today - one about Riparian, one about the South brisbane area and one about a smaller development in South Brisbane (Allegro?)

From 5pm tomorrow, Brisbane listerners will hear a daily hour of highlights on Nova 106.9 from the Merrick & Rosso morning show.

Merrick & Rosso will be on air from 5pm tomorrow afternoon on Brisbane's Nova 106.9 doing the "Best of" their daily morning show which is done out of Nova 96.9 Sydney.

The 1 hour package that they're doing has been hits in the lead up to Perth's and Adelaides Nova's before they officially launched last year.

Merrick & Rosso will also be attending the Brisbane launch of the station which is rumoured to be around March/April of this year.

Sweet. Ill get to hear that on the bus home.

Do ya reckon Nova is to repetitive. I mean they play that Chingy / Nate Dogg song every day as well as all those dance songs like call on me etc.

I got an email today about another development in South Brisbane called South Edge on Merivale St across from the Convention Centre, its near the corner of Glenelg St. The develper is Kozmic developments and marketing by Skycity Properties. Looks to be fairly typical of whats going on in the area.

Does anyone know what the development on the old Masonic Hall site is on Vulture St just behind the Mater Hospital? Also there is a crane up between Water St and Jacob St behind the Mater Hospital, any ideas what that one is?

I was at South brisbane/South Bank/west End today, and i just happened to take pics of the development on Merivale st across form the convention centre. (unless theres a different one.. This one was there)

http://img125.exs.cx/img125/1148/merivale16dk.jpg
http://img106.exs.cx/img106/3124/merivale27ae.jpg

^^
that is the SW1 site. The one I think GMAC is talking about is across Glenelg Street - unless Kozmic have 2 properties in the area.

ah thats SW1!.. i thought it was 1 block down right beside Musgrave Park.

Thanks for correcting me

Anyone know what is on the site at 217 Turbot St. I saw a render today for a project on the site, looks to be an office building of about 20 storeys. Looked sort of intersting in that at the base the building had a triangular plan, but by the time you reach the top, it had a square shaped plan. Exterior was all bluish/brownish glass squares and rectangles set out irreguarly across the facade. Keep an eye out, I dont know any more details that that.

The project is an invitation to architects to submit fee proposals for design of a 20 - 30 storey office tower on the Mincom Site. The site must be located in that landscaped area up on Turbot St

^ U mean above the Mincom carpark?

Wharves set for facelift.
Alison Sandy

A new parkland similar to South Bank and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens is proposed for Petrie Bight.
Queensland University of Technology and Brisbane City Council have teamed up to make over the Howard Smith Wharves, at the end of Boundary Street Under the Storey Bridge.
The research and design project, called Under the Bridge will provide planes for a mixed botanic, recreation and commercial development.
QUT architecture professor Steffen Lehmann said it would help preserve green space in the city as well as link bikeways and walkways.
“IF people live together in high density, green space becomes more and more important,” he said.
“Green space and activity corridors will become more significant, reflecting the changing community lifestyles and supporting the additional population.
“It’s not about entertainment and barbecues and all that. It’s not going to be like South Bank, but about the Brisbane for tomorrow which is dealing with a fast growing city.”
Brisbane City Council acquired the area from the State Government 18 months ago.
The wharf buildings have been derelict since the 1960s.
Brisbane City councillor (Central David Hinchliffe said Council wanted to maximise the area’s open space potential.
“I want to ensure that the nearby residential community of New Farm and the Valley, where parkland is at a premium, have easy access to the area,” he said. “We’re also keen to see whether part or all of the wharves can be retained and if so, what can be done with them to complement the open space area. “
Dr Lehmann said the protected former police station could easily be turned into a restaurant.
Other options include an organic food market and an Aboriginal Reser4ch and media Centre.
Various design options will be presented by QUT in June and a decision on a final master plan is expected by the end of the year.

wonderful!

I walked down there onto the riverwalk the other day, and i was thinking they need to tear it all down and build some parkland, with resturants and some shops.

Looks like someone heard my thoughts :D

So Melbourne's got the Docklands

Sydney has Dawes Point

And Now this for Brisbane

Great News-It's all happening on the east coast

I'm interested to see how it turns out, since it currently looks like there has been some kind of industrial accident which they blocked off from the public with giant fences and bars.

Mic, The area is nowhere near the size of Docklands or Dawes point, but since it fronts the river close to the city I still see it as being a pretty important. But I definatley wouldn't exepect any buildings over a few floors.

Another thing that I read about awhile ago and forgot pretty much straight away is the riverwalk along the kangaroo point side of the river. With the giant stuff up it has become because of the council (even though it is a great walk) the onus has been put of the developers. I've only see render of two of the parts, Castlebar and Shafton, but it looks like it will be similar to the stuff arround riverside (concrete pylons, a few trees.)

Wharves set for facelift.
Alison Sandy

A new parkland similar to South Bank and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens is proposed for Petrie Bight.
Queensland University of Technology and Brisbane City Council have teamed up to make over the Howard Smith Wharves, at the end of Boundary Street Under the Storey Bridge.
The research and design project, called Under the Bridge will provide planes for a mixed botanic, recreation and commercial development.
QUT architecture professor Steffen Lehmann said it would help preserve green space in the city as well as link bikeways and walkways.
“IF people live together in high density, green space becomes more and more important,” he said.
“Green space and activity corridors will become more significant, reflecting the changing community lifestyles and supporting the additional population.
“It’s not about entertainment and barbecues and all that. It’s not going to be like South Bank, but about the Brisbane for tomorrow which is dealing with a fast growing city.”
Brisbane City Council acquired the area from the State Government 18 months ago.
The wharf buildings have been derelict since the 1960s.
Brisbane City councillor (Central David Hinchliffe said Council wanted to maximise the area’s open space potential.
“I want to ensure that the nearby residential community of New Farm and the Valley, where parkland is at a premium, have easy access to the area,” he said. “We’re also keen to see whether part or all of the wharves can be retained and if so, what can be done with them to complement the open space area. “
Dr Lehmann said the protected former police station could easily be turned into a restaurant.
Other options include an organic food market and an Aboriginal Reser4ch and media Centre.
Various design options will be presented by QUT in June and a decision on a final master plan is expected by the end of the year.

where did u actually get this from?

city news, wednesdays edition.

hope we see more soon

Didnt know there was even any space there??

theres heaps. Theres the old sheds at the wharf, and grassy area on the other side of the road, which is fenced off. It leads to riverwalk, but in all honestly its not very inviting as it is.

This is needed

I was hoping for a modern pic, but the best I could find is this one from 50 years ago or so. The area is the one on the closest side of the brigde to the camera.

http://www.library.uq.edu.au/fryer/alcock/512/img0064.jpg

There was a pic posted a while ago after someone jumped off onto the roof of the building underneath.. ill try to find it

http://www.notebookpub.com/images/aircraft/Dads/Canberra-3.jpg

again, its old, but u see the area clearly.

Wow ! A Canberra bomber.

Ahh good one. So some more green space for Brisbane. Thats what I love about Aus the greenery. Im in Cheong ju South korea and this would have to be one of the ugliest cities on earth. There is no parks, no trees, not even a blade of grass, just commie blocks and concrete. Gets a bit depressing after a while thats why im looking forward to moving back to bris in 6 months.

^ on the bright side your probably on an excessivly fast internet connection :D

how much more classy does brisbane look in B&W?

hi guys,
i'm new to the forum and wondering if someone has a scan of articles or access to Media Monitors?... i'm looking for Courier Mail article "Move to CBD puts pressure on prices" (Dec 28 04 p13) and City News article "Rental hikes tipped as unit boom continues" (25 Nov 04 p5).
also Malt and Orfeo do you guys have any early b&w pics of west end/south bris with copyright information?
cheers.

p.s i do hope to contribute with a little information of my own in the future. :)

http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,11794251%255E3102,00.html


State Library of QLD Images Copyright Info (http://www.slq.qld.gov.au/home/copyright)
http://enc.slq.qld.gov.au/slq/neg/preview/050000/50753p.jpg


1993:
http://naa12.naa.gov.au/scripts/PhotoSearchItemDetail.asp?M=0&B=11712143



Search for other old images here:
http://www.pictureaustralia.org/apps/pictureaustralia

thanks for that Malt, pictures are pretty much what i was looking for!
i kinda need the news article as a scan or photo sort of thing from the actual paper, but thanks anyway :D

^
I'd say that is the best you'll get online, and unfortunately the John Oxley Library is much less accessible at the moment.

► There is a CBD masterplan workshop on the 17th at City Hall, with developers, civic leaders, workers etc to take part and decide what is to happen with the city plan.
► Brisbane is to get a new marketing campaign focusing particularly on the southern markets. There was a competition to determine the campaign, with McCann Erickson won – however they’re keeping the details secret at the moment.

Also at the city hall theres a display going up to do with the History of city hall. Started today i believe

So boring here in brissy.. might move to perth lol

said on the news last night about the city hall, that it was the second most expensive public works in australian history... if it was to be built today, it would cost $800 million to build. some useless trivia for ya. oh, the sydney harbour bridge was the only thing more expensive.

I knew they cheapskated us on the Story Bridge!

Yeah apparently at the time the Harbour bridge cost 2 million pounds to build. If i remember correctly. These days that would be a shit load!

The company which owns the carpark bridge the Chinatown Mall wants to change the 2-level pedestrian bridge over the mall into a teahouse. It would be over both the levels with access comming from a new lift within the mall.

I think it sounds a little strange, but anything that actually brings life to the area seems like a good idea.

interesting and new. I htink its a good idea

^
Yep, especially considering that the bridge was being used so little that the top level is was shut off from public access. I'd say they'll shut down the lower level soon as well and then the whole structure will be useless. Might as well use what we've already got.

maybe not brissie.. but related enough :)
http://www.photodump.com/direct/dumper/afr.jpg

It's too small to read.

ok.. i have it as pfd, anyone that wants a copy or can host it please pm me...

MALT, HAVE YOU BEEN BANNED TWICE?

?
no. I got banned as my old account Blend for an outburst following another situation.

I havnt been banned as malt.

maybe not brissie.. but related enough :)
http://www.photodump.com/direct/dumper/afr.jpg

Here's a link to the PDF

http://home.iprimus.com.au/johnthay/photos/27423.pdf

THEN HOWCOME U HAVE 2 USER NAMES AS Malt AND Malt'.

Malt' isn't Malt - Malt' is the guy who was/is known Goran and Zambia. He pretended to be Malt for awhile but got caught out and was banned.

THEN HOWCOME U HAVE 2 USER NAMES AS Malt AND Malt'.

Malt' was GORAN from Perth being a dickhead.

why are u typing with caps lock on.

Was Goran pretending to be Malt? Thats quite funny what did he say? Isnt Goran from Melbourne?

DFO is coming to Brisbane. Its going to be the same as Harbour town but its called "Direct Factory Outlet". Theres one in Sydney and Melbourne. This was the thing that went to court over the last couple on months because I think Westfield were trying to stop this thing going ahead along airport drive. It will feature over 100 stores including, Ralph Laurent, FCUK and other speciality shops - so basically like Harbour town down the coast but bigger. It going to open in September this year.

DFO is coming to Brisbane. Its going to be the same as Harbour town but its called "Direct Factory Outlet". Theres one in Sydney and Melbourne. This was the thing that went to court over the last couple on months because I think Westfield were trying to stop this thing going ahead along airport drive. It will feature over 100 stores including, Ralph Laurent, FCUK and other speciality shops - so basically like Harbour town down the coast but bigger. It going to open in September this year.

Sounds basically like Stones Corner but less urban:(

jt

Even if it will be bigger than Habour town, it wont nearly be as nice if it is like the one in Homebush - like a shed...unpainted concrete floors and all. Shops weren't to bad though.

DFO is coming to Brisbane. Its going to be the same as Harbour town but its called "Direct Factory Outlet". Theres one in Sydney and Melbourne. This was the thing that went to court over the last couple on months because I think Westfield were trying to stop this thing going ahead along airport drive. It will feature over 100 stores including, Ralph Laurent, FCUK and other speciality shops - so basically like Harbour town down the coast but bigger. It going to open in September this year.

Theres like a million in Melbourne :lol:

i've been to the one near dandenong...there's so much stuff and it's all at good prices...so yeah I'll be happy with the new DFO.

anymore news on the north quay park under the bridge?

No news, just a happy snap :evil:

http://www.ct4host.lunarpages.com/bne/IMG_4142.jpg

oohh look at aurora poking up there

oohh look at aurora poking up there

....and Casino Towers to the far right!

Wharves set for facelift.
Alison Sandy

A new parkland similar to South Bank and the Brisbane Botanic Gardens is proposed for Petrie Bight.
Queensland University of Technology and Brisbane City Council have teamed up to make over the Howard Smith Wharves, at the end of Boundary Street Under the Storey Bridge.
The research and design project, called Under the Bridge will provide planes for a mixed botanic, recreation and commercial development.
QUT architecture professor Steffen Lehmann said it would help preserve green space in the city as well as link bikeways and walkways.
“IF people live together in high density, green space becomes more and more important,” he said.
“Green space and activity corridors will become more significant, reflecting the changing community lifestyles and supporting the additional population.
“It’s not about entertainment and barbecues and all that. It’s not going to be like South Bank, but about the Brisbane for tomorrow which is dealing with a fast growing city.”
Brisbane City Council acquired the area from the State Government 18 months ago.
The wharf buildings have been derelict since the 1960s.
Brisbane City councillor (Central David Hinchliffe said Council wanted to maximise the area’s open space potential.
“I want to ensure that the nearby residential community of New Farm and the Valley, where parkland is at a premium, have easy access to the area,” he said. “We’re also keen to see whether part or all of the wharves can be retained and if so, what can be done with them to complement the open space area. “
Dr Lehmann said the protected former police station could easily be turned into a restaurant.
Other options include an organic food market and an Aboriginal Reser4ch and media Centre.
Various design options will be presented by QUT in June and a decision on a final master plan is expected by the end of the year.



Relating to that, i found a page full of pics lol
http://home.st.net.au/~dunn/bunkers/howardsmithwharves.htm

Has anyone had a look at the new Street Directory for 2005?

Check out the Intra regional transport corridor from Brisbanes south to the Gold Coast. It looks like the exact same path as the old South Coast Tollway...

Those air raid shelters are interesting Malt. I had no idea they were there or that such precautions were ever taken in our city - being so isolated.

That said, I would like to get down there and check em out. Perhaps they could be incorporated into the new development recognising the historical aspect.

I wonder how elaborate they are...

Has anyone had a look at the new Street Directory for 2005?

Check out the Intra regional transport corridor from Brisbanes south to the Gold Coast. It looks like the exact same path as the old South Coast Tollway...
What I did notice about the new Street Directory is the cover and the missing buildings. I guess they want completed buildings in the landscape, but the photo must be a couple of years old at least. No sign of Riparian. You'd think they could have computer inhanced a future look. Or maybe they are saving it for a future edition?? :tiasd:

What I did notice about the new Street Directory is the cover and the missing buildings. I guess they want completed buildings in the landscape, but the photo must be a couple of years old at least. No sign of Riparian. You'd think they could have computer inhanced a future look. Or maybe they are saving it for a future edition?? :tiasd:

Yes - an old picture of the cbd and road signs on the Brisbane one. The Melbourne 2005 ubd has a picture of a football with the various Melburnain teams on it.

jt

I was thinking the same thing when i saw it "where are all the buildings"? never mind Riparian the pic is so old there is no Marriot! We need to contact tourism Qld who supplied the photo and remind them Jo the wanker isn't premier anymore and the city is finnaly changing.

I was thinking the same thing when i saw it "where are all the buildings"? never mind Riparian the pic is so old there is no Marriot! We need to contact tourism Qld who supplied the photo and remind them Jo the wanker isn't premier anymore and the city is finnaly changing.
Huh?? What does Joh have to do with a picture on a UBD?

Huh?? What does Joh have to do with a picture on a UBD?

I tihnk he's trying to imply Joh was anti-development and didn't want a bigger Brisbane which is on a level untrue, seeing as he was all for that big-ass tower that mysteriously fell through.

ABS posted this in "A New Road to reduce city travel time" (Or sometihng like that) in the transport forums

http://photobucket.com/albums/v299/ABS_85/th_UBDBrisbane2005.jpg (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v299/ABS_85/UBDBrisbane2005.jpg)

Click on image for larger view.

This directory should arrive at bookstores within the next few days. However, several newsagencies around Brisbane already have them and at discount price. I picked mine up from Sunnybank Plaza News for $27.95 (RRP $38.95).

See I know how to use thumbnails! :cheers:

In the Brisbane News this week there was a comment made in the editorial about the fact that Brisbane restaurants (in general) close too early and there is not enough choice for late diners, as there is in the southern states.

Who agrees with this and would you dine late? I dine out a lot and would certainly make use of later dining, if this became more widely available. I think we need more late dining.

Perhaps it is a Brisbane culture that should (perhaps) change?

In the Brisbane News this week there was a comment made in the editorial about the fact that Brisbane restaurants (in general) close too early and there is not enough choice for late diners, as there is in the southern states.

Who agrees with this and would you dine late? I dine out a lot and would certainly make use of later dining, if this became more widely available. I think we need more late dining.

Perhaps it is a Brisbane culture that should (perhaps) change?

Thats rubbish - You can eat anytime of the night in Brisbane. Personally I wouldn't compare it with the 'southern states' - I'd prefer to compare it with somewhere similar like Spain. I mean because of the heat many people don't even go out till 10 for dinner - in the valley anyway.

jt

Hmm, I agree to an extent but I think that the people who do eat out late know where to go just from experience. I live on the southside and I've never gone hungary in West End no matter how early or that it is; there is always something open. And comparing Brisbane to at least Sydney, in my opinion they aren't that dissimilar - I have found myself having to search arround Sydney for someplace that wasn't either closed or not serving anyone new at 11:00pm (and that isn't particularly late) just as I have in Brisbane.

One thing to take into account is that on average Qld'ers are earlier risers than their southern counterparts...so maybe there isn't as much of a need across the whole city. I agree with JayT though that when it is hot I don't go out to eat until it has cooled down somewhat.

It is true. Soutbank is one example of places closing at 11ish. Why not 1am??

Also I think supermarkets should be 24 hours, like in Victoria.

Last time I was in Brisbane I was suprised by the lack of take away type places opened. I got into Roma St Station about 9pm but all the places there were shut and I walked around for a while before I found a Subway opened. Another night I had dinner from a takeaway place in the mall in the early evening & was being herded out be cleaners soon after. I can understand all the shops are closed and the office workers have all left but I was really dissapointed by the options if you just want to grab something cheap. Maybe that will change with all the apartments going up.

It is true. Soutbank is one example of places closing at 11ish. Why not 1am??

Also I think supermarkets should be 24 hours, like in Victoria.

Yep, supermarkets need to be 34 hours. . .

but as for restaraunts, Most of them will still be open, but I'd like to see fast food outlets be open longer hours.

Not sure whether I agree that all supermarkets should be open 24 hours, till midnight maybe for most supermarkets but 24 hours is probably not feasable. You also have to consider the impact this would have on places like Night Owl, I would imagine most people could get what they need at 3am from Night Owl or 7eleven.

With restaurants it probably comes down to the cost of keeping the restaurants open for relatively little custom. Perhaps when the current crop of apartment towers in the city are finished some of the restaurants may see a market there but at this stage I cant see it being worth the expense.

To my knowledge there isnt any legislation limiting the hours a restaurant can stay open till so I guess individual restaurants are not aware of the demand.

On another note, I know many of you live in the north-western suburbs and would imagine that you all get the Northwest News on Tuesdays. I noticed the story about the NSBT had a pic of the Bowen Hills tunnel portal and connecting roads. While I have seen the plans and the various options for this, it is the first pic I have seen, has anyone else seen this or other renders? I tried to find them on various websites with no luck, could someone please post them if available?

There were heaps of renders in the CM yesterday - I think 5 or 6.

Anyone got access to them that can post them?

On another note, I know many of you live in the north-western suburbs and would imagine that you all get the Northwest News on Tuesdays. I noticed the story about the NSBT had a pic of the Bowen Hills tunnel portal and connecting roads. While I have seen the plans and the various options for this, it is the first pic I have seen, has anyone else seen this or other renders? I tried to find them on various websites with no luck, could someone please post them if available?

I live in the north west but i dont get that paper.

Not sure whether I agree that all supermarkets should be open 24 hours, till midnight maybe for most supermarkets but 24 hours is probably not feasable. You also have to consider the impact this would have on places like Night Owl, I would imagine most people could get what they need at 3am from Night Owl or 7eleven.

maybe just in High density res. areas then maybe?

Petrie Bight, new farm etc.

^
most of the supermarkets in those areas are things like nightowls or private ones that stay open late already (for example the one in southbank, which isn't 24 hour but I've seen it open when i've come out of a movie/restaurant at 10 or so). New Farm is one of the only areas where I think the coles should be open very late. West End is another. In other areas service stations/ 711's seem to suffice at th moment.

^
most of the supermarkets in those areas are things like nightowls or private ones that stay open late already (for example the one in southbank, which isn't 24 hour but I've seen it open when i've come out of a movie/restaurant at 10 or so). New Farm is one of the only areas where I think the coles should be open very late. West End is another. In other areas service stations/ 711's seem to suffice at th moment.

Yeha and the do well, but the only problem is that in comparison...they're overpriced :(

Odd, out here in the burbs (Logan City) there are supermarkets open 24 hours. (Not coles though, but of equivalent size (and prices). Seen people do their weeks worth of shopping at 3am. :o - Maccas etc is 24 hours as well.

Not much else really has the customers to be open (even in the city). Maccas et al only do because no where else is open. Remembering that residents (and as such density) aren't what's needed to keep places open, but customers that will actually give a guaranteed level of patronage above that required to keep these places open during the day (higher staff pay, more staff, more senior staff).

Whats happeing with this website? Why Is it changing everytime i log on and how do I find the Gold Coast now? Answer me these questions o people and I shall be forever grateful.

from OzScrapers you got to click Projects, Construction, Skyscrapers & Statistics, then you can see GC & NQetc listed below Queensland. I asked tayser if they can be listed at top of qld forums.

^^^ Thanks old son. But to be honest I liked the old layout better! Doeas anyone agree?

^ i find it annoying that i cant access QLD subforums from QLD..

But i dont have any problems with the rest.

Ill admit the 'skyscrapers and skyline' thread did get alot more traffic before, now its pretty dead

Does anyone know anything about the development going on in Newmarket around the Newmarket Hotel. I heard that it is going to be shops, restaurants and cinemas, as well as an update of the Newmarket Hotel... but I can't seem to find anything about it on Google.

I don't know much about it, but I've been keeping a keen eye on the site. I don't think there is cinemas proposed in the 1st stage. Wish there was though.

that is the big open carpark behind the old hotel?

10 News says the table & Chairs fountain at the top of the mall is going to be removed.

Does anyone know anything about the development going on in Newmarket around the Newmarket Hotel. I heard that it is going to be shops, restaurants and cinemas, as well as an update of the Newmarket Hotel... but I can't seem to find anything about it on Google.

Its a supermarket complex being built by stockland - it will have a full range Coles supermarket in it as well as specialty shops.

jt

10 News says the table & Chairs fountain at the top of the mall is going to be removed.

Think giant silver balls linking Queen Street Mall with Brisbane Square - ABN Amro has something to do with it.

We'll know more about it later but it should be a great new piece of art.

jt

I always thought it would have a cinema, seeing as Reading (which own the cinemas at Robina shopping centre) own the site/are a major partner.

i love those damn fountains... its just not fair :(

I hope the 'balls' you speak of JayT are also fountains.

Found this old pic of the brisbane skyline. the riverside is looking pretty empty there at the time, ill post the link too.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/Aza17/Brisbane20CBD2030.jpg

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgurl=http://www.usq.edu.au/course/material/CIV3506/HistoryofConcrete/Brisbane%2520CBD%2520tiny.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.usq.edu.au/course/material/CIV3506/HistoryofConcrete/intro.html&h=191&w=314&sz=11&tbnid=X24jf-PXDjMJ:&tbnh=68&tbnw=112&start=7&prev=/images%3Fq%3DbrisbaneCBD%2Bpics%26hl%3Den%26lr%3D%26c2coff%3D1%26safe%3Doff

1989/1990?

nice find by the way!

Back in the 80s!

Waterfront Place was completed in 1989 wasn't it? That pic would have to have been taken right as CP1 had just finished. My guess goes to late 1988?

Mind you I've only lived in Brisbane since 2003 so I'm guessing fairly wildly here :)

PNG Gas project office opens in Brisbane
March 3, 2005 - 2:59PM

The Papua New Guinea Gas Project took another step with the opening of the Front End Engineering and Design (FEED) office in Brisbane.

The FEED office consists of approximately 150 engineering, technical and financial experts from the Project Owners and the FEED contractor, Eos.

The FEED office is undertaking preliminary design work for the gas field developments in PNG, gas processing and export compression facilities, infrastructure, and the PNG section of the gas pipeline to the PNG/Australian border.

The preliminary program is expected to be completed around the end of the year.

Nice to hear.

The Southern News reported that AU$4 billion will probably be spent on the redvelopment inner southern suburbs over the next 5 years...the listed about 12 projects, most of which i've heard of already. I guess $50 million for this building, and $30 million for that one really ads up. Some of the development restrictions throughout West End/Woolongabba are to be lifted in the new local plan to be released for public comment in a few weeks. It should mean taller buildings overall.

Westpac is predicting that Brisbane will have the highest annual growth of the rental market.

http://www.propertyreview.com.au/archives/2005/02032005/reviewed/image/westpac_office.jpg

An article (http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,12420426%255E25658,00.html) on the hotel market in Oz mentioned that Starwood, operaters of Australian Sheratons, were looking for a new building -

Industry sources said Starwood would find it difficult to replace the Brisbane Sheraton.

Potentially, there were "just four or five suitable properties" for operators, such as Sheraton in Brisbane.

Brisbane was unlikely to have a new hotel in the next three to five years, Thakral managing director John Hudson said. He said Brisbane was a growth city and it generated considerable interest among operators.

Personally I think it is a little stupid to say there wont be any new hotels in Brisbane over the next year...then to say it is a growth city. Maybe he meant "likely" instead of "unlikely".... makes more sense anyway ;)

Heres some pics of soutbank ok it wasnt the best day or place for the sun to be but i had time to burn, caus its so early there wasnt many ppl there, thats why its empty.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/Aza17/DSC01525.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/Aza17/DSC01534.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v219/Aza17/DSC01527.jpg

Nova 106.9 will do its "Hard" launch on Fri 1st April 2005. Yes I know its April fools day but apparently its not a joke. Sydney's Nova launched on April 1st also in 2001.
http://www.nova1069.com.au/NovaLiteAssest/images/structure/Header.jpg

Heres some pics of soutbank ok it wasnt the best day or place for the sun to be but i had time to burn, caus its so early there wasnt many ppl there, thats why its empty.



Even if the sun maybe isn't in the best place and the beach is a tad empty, they're still great pictures - they make the skyline look cleaner than most I've seen. And it is good to see the impact of a few of the buildings undercontruction.

I still say the original Emerald Tower design be moved to the North Quay area.

Also, 100th post for me! :D

why is there a nova launch? dont we already have that station?

It's been in "testing" mode though.

I got a nice letter from the Southbank people today 'inviting' me to comment on their recently released plans for the Boadwalk.

Two options:
1) A two-storey fisherman's wharf type cevelopment fearturing an Island Deck with cafes and outdoor dining extending from the exiting boardwalk out over the river.
2) A two-storey retail and dining precinct fearturing retail outlets on the ground floor and a 60-room hotel on the upper one.

No doubt the hotel plan will be the one accepted ;)

They also mentioned that the final plans for Site 9A/B (beside Southbank station), Butterfly House and the Queensland Rail site (beside Rydges) will be release in 'April or before if possible'.

The plans for the SW1 are on display at the Southbank visitors centre until the 11th of March.

any renders on the southbank development?

can anyone tell me when brisbane will get its next boom? It seems to be lacking behind everyone els. I couldnt believe it when i seen that goldie has more scrapers then bris, when i dont really class it as a city becuase its not dense enough.

gold coast will have more scrapers than many cities. Thats how those types of cities work. Look at the overseas examples.

Its not the same so its best to forget about it lol

can anyone tell me when brisbane will get its next boom? It seems to be lacking behind everyone els. I couldnt believe it when i seen that goldie has more scrapers then bris, when i dont really class it as a city becuase its not dense enough.

What do you mean when Brisbane will get its next boom? Its booming right now!

can anyone tell me when brisbane will get its next boom? It seems to be lacking behind everyone els. I couldnt believe it when i seen that goldie has more scrapers then bris, when i dont really class it as a city becuase its not dense enough.

Brisbane is the densist CBD in Australia. It has a greater population of around 2 million people - that's twice the size of many major European centres (Amsterdam, Antwerp, Vienna etc). It has thriving cultural, social and music scenes. Need I go on? How could you call this not a city? I think it's one of the best cities in the world to live in after my travels!

yup your right.

i went down to brisbane yesturday to club, and this time i went into city and bloody hell its alot bigger than you think from the pitures i have been seeing

^
Because Brisbanes CBD is a warped triangle, I think it is difficult to get a good idea of how big the city is unless you take a pic of one of the vertices.

http://www.raywhite.com/objects/props/7616/102027616,20050210193628,p,5,RayWhite-Image-c-400-266.jpg

http://www.raywhite.com/objects/props/7616/102027616,20050210193629,p,5,RayWhite-Image-d-400-266.jpg

^Were those from Greenslopes? Mt. Gravatt?

^
I believe it is from Greenslopes, but it could be Holland Park.

^ Its supposedly Holland Park. I asked in the other thread in which they were posted and that was what i was told (i actually guessed Mt Gravatt first too)

Orfeo - nice exposure on those pics. Was it a digital camera or analogue?

Brisbane is the densist CBD in Australia. It has a greater population of around 2 million people - that's twice the size of many major European centres (Amsterdam, Antwerp, Vienna etc). It has thriving cultural, social and music scenes. Need I go on? How could you call this not a city? I think it's one of the best cities in the world to live in after my travels!

yes jayT

I got a nice letter from the Southbank people today 'inviting' me to comment on their recently released plans for the Boadwalk.

Two options:
1) A two-storey fisherman's wharf type cevelopment fearturing an Island Deck with cafes and outdoor dining extending from the exiting boardwalk out over the river.
2) A two-storey retail and dining precinct fearturing retail outlets on the ground floor and a 60-room hotel on the upper one.

No doubt the hotel plan will be the one accepted ;)

They also mentioned that the final plans for Site 9A/B (beside Southbank station), Butterfly House and the Queensland Rail site (beside Rydges) will be release in 'April or before if possible'.

The plans for the SW1 are on display at the Southbank visitors centre until the 11th of March.

I would much prefer option 1. I went past there on the CityCat on Friday and was looking at the site. I think a nice little cafe area would be a lot nicer than hotel/retail for the spot.

^
No one wants the hotel option except for the Southbank Corporation...Instead of taking away what they should of from the public comments/meeting that a hotel in unacceptable for that site, they seem to have this idea that the main complaint was the size of the development.

Where is it?
The whole southbank frontage?

^
No, just a little bit at one end. The area behind the first ferry stop.

http://www.brisbanemotorshow.com.au/images/map500.jpg

Does anyone know what's happening in the construction space on Wickham Street (Valley) Opposite Emporium (Next to Audi). There are all kinds of construction vehicles working there and a few signs up, but I couldn't find anything on it.

Nova 106.9 will do its "Hard" launch on Fri 1st April 2005. Yes I know its April fools day but apparently its not a joke. Sydney's Nova launched on April 1st also in 2001.

Well the rumour mungers were off by 3 days. Instead of the 1st April, they'll launch on the 4th April.


Nova's stars wait to rise
Natalie Gregg, entertainment reporter
10mar05
THE battle for radio ratings is about to get even hotter with Brisbane's new FM radio station Nova 106.9 officially going on the air next month.

Since August last year, listeners have heard Nova's music direction and their "no more than two ads in a row" policy, without real announcers.

Nova general manager Sean Ryan yesterday announced the station's four-person breakfast team and April 4 as the station's official launch date.

A stand-up comic, a seasoned radio breakfast announcer and two sports-mad spoof reporters will take to the airwaves in the highly competitive breakfast slot.

Meshel Laurie, 31, Kip Wightman, 28, Ashley Bradnam, 31, and David Lutteral, 28, were announced as the breakfast team in charge of making Brisbane radio "sound different".

Dodging most questions with jokes yesterday, the quartet were not able to say how they planned to deliver on that goal.

"We just want to have fun and if you're not going to come in here and have fun you probably won't get it," Wightman said.

Bradnam and Lutteral have been regulars on ABC's The Fat and Channel 7's sports chat show 110% Tony Squires.

Last year the pair's absurd questioning caused Formula One driver Juan Pablo Montoya to storm out of a press conference at the Melbourne Grand Prix.

Laurie was born in Toowoomba, but has spent the past 10 years as a stand-up comedian and appeared on Rove Live and The Glass House. She also worked for Nova's sister station Star FM in Gosford Wightman is originally from Brisbane but spent the past four years as an announcer on Nova 969 in Sydney.

Nova's breakfast producer, Sarah May, has jumped aboard Brisbane's newest radio station after just three weeks producing for Triple M breakfast.

The station enters the market a week into the third ratings survey.

Nova Article - Courier Mail (http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,12495116%255E3102,00.html)

The Courier Mail reported today that the development application for a 15,000sq m building have been lodged (with the SBC). The building could be larger than its next door neightbour, 189 Grey Street (12,745sq m).

good news. Hopefully the site is smaller therefore the building taller.

which is the neighbouring building that you refer to? will it be bigger than the theiss and that new one?

^
the neighbouring building is "that new one".

Hopefully the site is smaller therefore the building taller.

I believe that the two sites are quite similar in size...

http://www.mirvac.com.au/investor/residential/qld_189Grey.jpg

maybe it will have a podium and a slimer tower like Theiss. (?) This has been in the planning for ages; it better be worth the wait. The developer is Stockwell and the architect is Hessel.

The T and G (http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200503/s1321415.htm) was evacuated after a fire started on the plant room on the 17th floor.

damn. i wish the t & g burned. ofcourse without the ppl in it.

http://www.brisinst.org.au/papers/nosworthy_elizabeth_economy/print.html
^^^
Interesting article on the importance of Brisbane city.

jt

http://www.brisinst.org.au/papers/nosworthy_elizabeth_economy/print.html
^^^
Interesting article on the importance of Brisbane city.

jt
I totally agree with the contents of that article, thanks JayT for posting it. Brisbane is definitly not taking full advantage of it's strategic position in the Asia Pacific area. It could be the powerhouse of the region, the hub city. It's
time to go to the next level fuelled by the population growth and the desire
for so many people to live here. Attracting head offices ,Asia Pacific offices
new and sophisticated industries in Brisbane should be Government's priorities

^ I agree wiht that article too.

How do get the Govt to pay attention though, thats the question.

If it's not to mutch to ask, does anyone have a diagram of the vacant/demolishable places to build on, within the city?

http://www.brisinst.org.au/papers/nosworthy_elizabeth_economy/print.html
^^^
Interesting article on the importance of Brisbane city.

jt


Great article! I think we are on the way though - it's a snowball effect, and will probably take a while to build up. The new "Creative Industries" (spurred mainly by QUT) and other areas that are being encouraged by the state are helping this. Also, major companies (like Austcorp) creating major offices up here helps. It will take a while, but I think we will get there.

^ Agreed.
I dont know why the Govt takes so long to focus on that.
It would give the city a very respectable, as well as useful industry which would bring more money/students from overseas.

Grantus, there was an article posted a while ago which said there were 40+ sites available (They used vacant blocks, and buildings which were demolishable..)
Since they removed the search function your chance of finding it is slim. Although.. it may have been in a thread of its own. Look back a few pages

^ thanks for that, i'll have a look

come on brissy! clean up your act! lol

http://img11.exs.cx/img11/3692/brisbanesurvey7bf.jpg

^ those surveys dont make sense.

The other one put Melbourne at #1 and perth at #2

and sydney brisbane and adelaide at like 3 or 4.

I cant accept them anymore lol, due to blatent differences.

But i dont have a problem, since 31st is still many times higher than london and NY.

^
ditto.

Plus honestly, I personally find Brisbane far more livable than Sydney. These "rankings" are more based on stats and figures than actual human interaction with a city.

Brisbane news.. an observation of our premiers mannerisms!
has anyone else noticed some of Beatties 'catch phrases'??
*Look,
*The reality is
*At the end of the day
*Something we had to do
*Out of our control


anyway... from Sat's Courier Mail.
http://www.thecouriermail.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5936,12587708%5E3122,00.html

Building industry bleeding to death
James McCullough and Melissa Maugeri
19mar05
SOARING costs and labour shortages associated with the state's building boom have shaved margins in the construction industry and it is starting to hurt.
A 50m hole in the ground opposite the Gabba is costing the developers an average of between $2600 and $4500 in interest a day based on the land purchase price and cost blowouts. It has become known as the poison project.
This as escalating material costs, labour shortages and union pressure fuel speculation that the Pavilion development will stall.
The project went to tender several times for formwork, something common on most projects in the current environment.
Across town the city's signature project, Riparian, stumbles towards completion although tenants remain in the dark as to when they will eventually be able to move into their expensive tower residences. Multiplex's Riparian project, a complex construction built on water, has suffered flooding in the lower level and union problems, coupled with escalated costs blowing out at the rate of up to 1.5 per cent a month.
Multiplex yesterday confirmed it had put its Milton tennis court residential project on hold, after winning a protracted legal battle, issuing full refunds to purchasers with the site now expected to be sold to Jim Raptis.
It follows the company writing off nearly $50 million on the 90,000-seat redevelopment of Wembley Stadium in London, a move that meant Multiplex may only break even on the $1.2 billion project.
Back in Brisbane's CBD other stalled sites tell similar stories.
A report card on the state of the Queensland construction industry reveals all is not well.
The industry is in strife because of a lack of skilled labour, cost increases – with steel alone rising 27 per cent in the past few months – and shaved margins.
Ironically, it has been a bonanza of work that has seen the number of construction workers in Queensland increase by 10,000 to 153,000 that has caused the problems.
As builders battle to match yesterday's tender price with rising steel and concrete costs plus labour bills that seem to have no ceiling, some are wishing for slower times.
In the current environment subcontractors are demanding higher prices because they do not have the resources and the builder is sustaining far more risk.
Often the subcontractor may walk off the job if he sees a better job by another developer down the road, hence margins are squeezed.
Building unions are also targeting CBD projects ahead of Prime Minister John Howard gaining control of the Senate on July 1 and pushing through new enterprise bargaining agreements with most EBAs expiring in the next few months.
"In the past two years there has not been a major project in Brisbane's CBD where a builder has made any money out of it," according to Rider Hunt managing director Mark Burrow. "Prices they got for construction costs were much higher than their feasibility, that is the problem that we have."
The size of the problem has been illustrated by the recent collapse of Walter Construction – which had just completed the Brisbane Magistrates building and Henry Walker Eltin.
North Queensland is now also starting to feel the pinch with a large number of projects poised to start ranging from unit developments at 1770 through to larger projects on Magnetic Island, Cairns and Airlie Beach.
On Magnetic Island alone there is Meridien's One Bright Point project, Eureka Funds Management and Gordon Property Development's Peppers Blue on Blue development and Indigo preparing a project at Arcadia.
"It is as if someone dropped a pebble in southeast Queensland and that ripple is now spreading north," Mr Burrow said.
FKP managing director Glenn Brown said tighter margins had bitten into the industry although some multi-faceted companies – with development, construction and sales arms – had managed to spread the impact.
FKP has built 94 units at Toowong and is currently working on 136 units at 212 Margaret St, 96 units at its Soho development in the city, 188 units at Vue on the Arnotts biscuit site plus several developments up the coast.
"Pre-sales are healthy and we are going well but we have been able to offset construction costs through our development and sales components," he said.
Many construction companies working in the CBD heart have been toiling away at jobs in the full knowledge that every day they are haemorrhaging money, according to Queensland Master Builder's Association construction director John Crittall.
He said the companies most affected by cost blowouts and labour shortages had been those on big jobs in the CBD.
"They've suffered huge losses and the capacity for them to continue to absorb these must be questioned," Mr Crittall said.
He said the pain from the horror time of the 2003-04 financial year was still making its way through to the public.
"I think they've (builders) come through the worst year of their life," Mr Crittall said.
"Companies have taken huge hits on their balance sheets. Cost issues are significantly affecting the viability of the industry."
"Our anecdotal evidence is that companies have to allow for 1 per cent a month in increase in prices in 2005 – that's unheard of," Mr Crittall said.
Other construction chiefs put the figure as high as 1.5 per cent.
During 2004, the average increase cost for trades in Queensland was 19.2 per cent. The number of workers in the industry increased from 144,000 to 153,000 as people in other areas sought jobs in the industry.
A look at bottom line profits reveal the extent: Listed construction group Watpac, with $3 billion in projects under management, posted an after-tax interim profit of just $4.3 million last year on revenue of $163 million compared with $2.2 million for the previous corresponding six months.
A glance at the financial returns filed with ASIC by several of the state's private builders tell similar stories – the industry remains buoyant but profits are slight or reduced.
Kim and David Pradella's Pradella Constructions sums up sentiment. The company reported an-after tax profit of $642,468 for 2004, down from $840,899 in 2003.
Sales revenue tumbled from $20.8 million in 2003 to $10.4 million.
Pradella Group's joint managing director David Pradella said if the company was purely a contracting company it would be totally exposed to cost pressures.
"Fortunately we are also a development company whose focus is to deliver a quality built product through its construction arm."
According to Mr Crittall, many contractors are so desperate to get tradesmen they have been paying and getting some fairly inexperienced labour and low productivity.
Craig Porter, the business development manager for Leighton Contractors, estimates margins are now less than 5 per cent with some putting the figure as low as 2.7 per cent.
"The Queensland construction industry is in strife because we can't get labour, can't get apprentices and the building industry is not creating apprentices as well and material costs are rising," he said.
Developers prefer fix price contracts but are being asked to look at the higher risk cost-plus contract, more advantageous to the builder.
Mark Burrow describes the sector as overheated, with far too much work for the available resources. "We don't have enough bodies. We need about 80,000 workers in Queensland now," he says.
With tradesmen spread thin across the city, delays have occurred and many jobs under way in the city are months, in some cases years, behind schedule.
Watpac managing director Greg Kempton said the lean margins accepted by builders had left them with no room for error.
With some of the bigger building groups accepting net profit margins as small as 1 per cent, the pressure had been on smaller builders, often dealing with the same developers, to price keenly albeit at their peril.
According to Minter Ellison Partner David Fabian, construction contractors have begun to draw a line in the sand.
Mr Fabian who heads the law firm's construction , engineering and infrastructure division, believes the industry is at a point of seachange which may result in contractors refusing to accept the risks being put on them by developers.
"Invitations to tender are being returned or non-conforming tenders are being submitted stating that the principal's risk allocation is too aggressive," Mr Fabian said.
"Notwithstanding the slowdown in the residential market, the construction industry as a whole is at full stretch, with both materials and skills in intense demand."
Mr Crittall agrees and said his group had been urging builders to push for change.
"We are saying you can't take responsibility for pricing jobs which are impossible to predict.
"Builders need a different risk management model."
Mr Kempton argues that without more realistic margins, some builders may not survive.
He says sensible builders are no longer signing up for fixed lump sum contracts as they once did.
"Now smart builders won't sign and they are increasing their percentages."
"Everyone thinks that because residential has come off the boil, construction has come off the boil but that is not the case," Mark Burrow says.

^ those surveys dont make sense.

The other one put Melbourne at #1 and perth at #2

and sydney brisbane and adelaide at like 3 or 4.

I cant accept them anymore lol, due to blatent differences.

But i dont have a problem, since 31st is still many times higher than london and NY.

I know, its' a load of bollocks. Because of the Madrid terrorist attacks with the trains etc... doesn't mean that it isn't a great liveable city...I lived there for a year and a half and it was one city i would definetley go back to one day. It's as safe as houses :bash:

New from the world of the CM -

Rio Tinto will take up the space left by law firm Claton Utz. A further sign of the tightening market. The article goes further on to say that quite a few refurbishments are likely in the short term to keep up with demand.

Campbell Newman seems to have lost the first battle to raise the height limits in West End. He originally said 12-levels...then said opps I mean 10 :) Either way the Labor controlled council didn't see reason (why can you have 12 [and often more] levels on the northside, but not on the south). But from what I understand, community consultation will be done to bridge the communities view before and final decision is made....can't wait.

There was a feature article on a new highrise on Oxlade Drive, New Farm, by a GC developer.....I counted 12 levels. It is a two towers joined together at the base. Can't find the DA.

Well it looks like the building workers have given themselves another extended holiday. No work has been apparent on any of the major sites since Easter.

Makes an interesting contrast to the story about Dubai on the Channel 10 news last night which mentioned that they can complete a 50 storey building over there in 12 months - versus Casino Towers 30 months for a 39 storey building and Riparian Plaza 52 months (started in March 2001 and assuming complete in July 2005) for a 53 storey building.

Well it looks like the building workers have given themselves another extended holiday. No work has been apparent on any of the major sites since Easter.

Makes an interesting contrast to the story about Dubai on the Channel 10 news last night which mentioned that they can complete a 50 storey building over there in 12 months - versus Casino Towers 30 months for a 39 storey building and Riparian Plaza 40 (?) months for a 53 storey building.


yeah its the CFMEU. 5 RDO's this week!

RDO's, is that Regular Days Off, or Random Days Off?

Rostered Days Off

Ch 9 mentioned a new upgrade to Southbank....a new waterpark-like thing for kids. Work starts soon to be completed by next year.

cool. more water stuff :)

i dont use it personally but its very good. quite an attraction. might become a waterpark with all that lol

Someone has lodged an application to attach a 4.8m x 2.7m LED screen to a building on the the corner of Queen and Albert Streets in the Mall.

Someone has lodged an application to attach a 4.8m x 2.7m LED screen to a building on the the corner of Queen and Albert Streets in the Mall.

Wow...nice 'n' lively.

It's amazing how quick someone will snap it up as soon as the signage laws change.

^ lol. The article predicted that.

Cant wait for more :D

Well it looks like the building workers have given themselves another extended holiday. No work has been apparent on any of the major sites since Easter.

Makes an interesting contrast to the story about Dubai on the Channel 10 news last night which mentioned that they can complete a 50 storey building over there in 12 months - versus Casino Towers 30 months for a 39 storey building and Riparian Plaza 52 months (started in March 2001 and assuming complete in July 2005) for a 53 storey building.

I'm sure Aurora will even up that stark contrast. It's motoring up

If anyone gets the Westside News (or equivalent) you will see that the BCC has provided a 12-page magazine highlighting the Draft Translink Upgrade Plan. It's a very interesting read and provides maps of each zone of Brisbane (north, south, east and west) and illustrates service and infrastructure upgrades over the next 3-10 years.

Lots of bus upgrades. Decent amount of train upgrades. Good to see so much effort being put into PT.

edit

we got that in the northern paper as well. good shit huh. i have the whole plan on cd if ne one wants some info.

Is this the same thing that is online at the transit website (http://www.translink.com.au/qt/TransLin.nsf/index/NPWhatsInPlanBrisbane)?

There are details of a proposed walkway/bike path arround the normandy 5 ways..link (http://www.transport.qld.gov.au/qt/tpSite.nsf/index/NPCL)

If anyone gets the Westside News (or equivalent) you will see that the BCC has provided a 12-page magazine highlighting the Draft Translink Upgrade Plan. It's a very interesting read and provides maps of each zone of Brisbane (north, south, east and west) and illustrates service and infrastructure upgrades over the next 3-10 years.

Lots of bus upgrades. Decent amount of train upgrades. Good to see so much effort being put into PT.

What isn't impressive is the depressingly long time before anything happens. Eg. CBD service improvements - increase frequency of free City Loop services by June 2007!!!!!!

That could be achieved next week by putting a couple of extra buses on! Why is it going to take over two years? And where are the extensions of the service to South Brisbane, West End, Milton and Fortitude Valley?

What isn't impressive is the depressingly long time before anything happens. Eg. CBD service improvements - increase frequency of free City Loop services by June 2007!!!!!!

That could be achieved next week by putting a couple of extra buses on! Why is it going to take over two years? And where are the extensions of the service to South Brisbane, West End, Milton and Fortitude Valley?

i agree, this could be done within a month. i had lengthy investigations in something that is common sense. :bash:

*cough* costing issues *cough*

http://www.myhealthcare21.com/0,HY585/Cough-Syrup-with-Honey.jpg

i agree, this could be done within a month. i had lengthy investigations in something that is common sense. :bash:

I agree two years is a long time to introduce a few more buses. But it would take longer than you think. They would first have to repaint the buses in downtown livery, meaning less buses on the road when theres already a shortage. New Runprints will have to be timed and printed, rosters will have to be re-done and of course there's probably some "feasibility study" involved somewhere(thanks beauracracy).

I'd say 4 months is plenty of time to get things up and running for the increased frequency.

http://www.myhealthcare21.com/0,HY585/Cough-Syrup-with-Honey.jpg

Cheers. Now I can say what I was going to say before.

It costs money to run a bus all day every day as a free service to the public. And we're talking about a level of government here providing this service... We should all know by now that the terms "government" and "fiscal efficiency" do not go together.

Short and simple: BCC don't have the money to do it tomorrow. If they could, I'm sure they would. It's not some grand conspiracy to screw the people of Brisbane over for a few more years by with-holding another free loop bus just because they can.

Prime Site in the Courier Mail today reports that 145 Eagle St has been sold for $45M.

The purchaser, Bramley Properties, also owns 167 Eagle St (Emirates House) and 171 Eagle St (vacant land on which Urban Properties had proposed to build upmarket homes).

The latest purchase gives them a potential 5,479 sqm riverfront redevelopment site next to the Riverside Centre. A 10 to 20 year time frame is mentioned.

In the short term they plan to update the exterior of 145, possibly to achieve a similar look to 167 which they have refurbished totally. The two buildings have over 26,000 sqm of office space.

http://www.komshiki.com/index.html

Above is a great selection of photos :runaway:
jt

http://downunderchase.com/stormchasing/04-05/28_08_04ac.html
Another great photo site (brisbane)
Well worth a peak if you like lightning and fireworks - at the same time!
jt

http://www.smh.com.au/news/Next/National-security-its-not-a-case-of-sitting-on-defence/2005/04/11/1113071894507.html?oneclick=true

[quote]
National security: it's not a case of sitting on defence
By Helen Meredith
April 12, 2005
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Dr Chris Scott, research director of NICTA, in the Brisbane CBD. Photo: Andy Zakeli

Dr Chris Scott, research director of NICTA, in the Brisbane CBD. Photo: Andy Zakeli

The new National Information and Communications Technology Australia (NICTA) security research lab in Brisbane looks like a vote of confidence in Queensland's e-security drive, but relationships between the federally funded lab and locals could prove tricky.

Nearly 40 companies are already part of an e-security cluster in southern Queensland, their businesses spanning a diverse range of security projects and support services.

While the Beattie Government and Queensland's top three universities have pledged financial support for the NICTA lab, few locals have attracted any significant support from the "Smart State" government.

Lab research director Dr Chris Scott is keen to interact with local groups but admits NICTA's presence could be a bit unsettling for some.

He says that after early discussions with CRCs in Queensland, he interprets that there's some potential overlap in projects.

Of the lab's relationship with the security cluster, he says: "It's early days yet."

The overall thrust of NICTA's research will be disaster prevention, recovery and response, with the focus on basic infrastructure and complete systems. Dr Scott says the lab will work in areas where research is not yet strong.
AdvertisementAdvertisement

The Beattie Government is proud of its commitment to research, pouring serious money in particular into biotechnology. At the same time, and mostly independent of government money, southern Queensland has become home to what some say is the largest e-security cluster in the southern hemisphere.

Under the circumstances Brisbane seems like a logical place for NICTA to set up a security research lab. It also goes some way towards smoothing ruffled features after Queensland's Information Security Research Centre lost to a southern consortium its bid for the top role in NICTA.

The lab will focus on potential and real threats such as terrorism, crime, invasive disease and pests, as well as protecting Australia's online environment against cyber crime. This is in line with NICTA's charter, which falls under the Federal Government's "Safeguarding Australia" policy.

The Queensland Government will fund NICTA to the tune of $5 million over four years. Griffith University, Queensland University of Technology and the University of Queensland have also signed formal agreements of support for the facility, each providing $2 million over the next four years.

By the end of the year, 20 researchers and 25 students will be involved in four main projects involving spatial signal and information processing, networked embedded systems, data mining and integration and context aware information presentation.

NICTA says it is already attracting staff from top research centres including NASA, Carnegie Melon University and the University of California at Berkeley.

Dr Scott stresses the importance of information sharing in disaster prevention and recovery in the context of critical infrastructure.

"This is about the exchange of information, its analysis and how it's used," he says.

"Only the balance changes with different kinds of disaster. Once you identify the particular event, bushfire, cyclone and so on, you use information as the mechanism to fill the gaps."

The Brisbane lab is NICTA's most recent advance towards its ultimate goal, to be an ICT Centre of Excellence. To this end the Federal Government has provided it with a war chest of $380 million to see it through to 2010-11.

For his part Premier Peter Beattie is aware of some disquiet in the local ICT camp and wants to be seen as doing something positive about it. Security could be the issue that places the impasse between research and implementation to the top of his agenda and puts the credibility of his "Smart State" policy to the test.

Security experts warn that the difficulty of co-ordinating IT security agendas and deciding where funds will bring the best outcome for users is highlighting just how flimsy the connection still is between research and those at most risk of security breaches.

The Queensland manager of Brisbane-based e-security company b-sec, Oliver Binz, says collaboration is the key.

"It's not easy. You need to keep up with who is doing what," he says.

His company has yet to forge any kind of relationship with NICTA but has its sights on the federal attorney-general's Computer Network Vulnerability Assessment (CNVA) Program.

An initiative of the Trusted Information Sharing Network (TISN) - which aims to strengthen national security by protecting critical infrastructure - it is managed by the AG department's Critical Infrastructure Protection Branch (CIPB).

CIPB is establishing a panel of experts doing the kind of work that the owners and operators of critical infrastructure need to test their networks for vulnerabilities.

An officer from AG's said 60 consultants had responded to its call for expressions of interest in the panel. Owners and operators were now submitting proposals that could earn them access to the panel and some level of support from the CNVA's $50 million four-year fund. This is the first round of the program, which has a six-monthly funding cycle.

Mr Binz, whose company has developed an incident analyser, says: "I have a positive feeling about the AG project. It seems quite practical. You can see how it can be useful."

He's concerned at how money is being dispersed throughout the security community.

"If it's just being sprayed around, it's not necessarily going to help," he says.

Mr Binz and others warn that the real challenge in security is in co-ordinating its various components: namely external physical and internal procedures; Federal and state processes; technical and applications levels; and funding.

"We need a co-ordinated, uniform approach," Mr Binz says. "Meanwhile, customers are waiting to see how it will work and if the various programs will help them.

"Research is fantastic," Mr Binz says, "but customers have here-and-now problems to solve.

"That is why I think the AG project has real promise. It is genuine coalface stuff."

Bob deHaan is executive director of Clariti and chairman of eNet, the body that provides administrative support for members of Queensland's various industry clusters.

He says the Queensland Government has given only token support to industry development, describing its attitude as "half lukewarm to minimal".

"eNet has received no money and very little has gone to the clusters," Mr deHaan says.

He acknowledges the good research at Queensland-based Distributed Systems CRC (DSTC), which had Federal funding of $100 million over seven years.

"Research seems always to attract money," he says.

For their part, research groups supported by taxpayers' money were under pressure to justify investment in their work.

As one company executive said: "We need to understand that whatever we're doing to deliver security to the marketplace must not be at the expense of R&D dollars."
[/quote[

There is an application for the building fronting Edward, Adelaide and Ann st.. i dont know what for exactly.

http://www.ourbrisbane.com/public/DAServlet/917525?pagenumber=2

The following Approvals are being sought, but are not yet approved:
Reconfiguring a Lot Development Permit

Additional Reconfiguring a Lot Information:
- Proposed Number of Lots or Units: 0
- Existing Number of Lots: 0
- Number of Lots in previous stages: 0
- Proposed Number of Lease Areas: 0
- Proposed Number of Easements: 0
- Residential (Y/N):









?

There is an application for the building fronting Edward, Adelaide and Ann st.. i dont know what for exactly.

http://www.ourbrisbane.com/public/DAServlet/917525?pagenumber=2

The following Approvals are being sought, but are not yet approved:
Reconfiguring a Lot Development Permit

Additional Reconfiguring a Lot Information:
- Proposed Number of Lots or Units: 0
- Existing Number of Lots: 0
- Number of Lots in previous stages: 0
- Proposed Number of Lease Areas: 0
- Proposed Number of Easements: 0
- Residential (Y/N):
?

All this is just to swap two car parking spaces!

lol why do they need to apply to do that.