Looks interesting, good to see it is getting upgraded!

Brisbane Racing Club announces $1.2 billion development of Eagle Farm, Doomben racecourses

THE incoming Brisbane Racing Club has announced a bold, self-funded $1.2 billion development of the racing precinct covering the Eagle Farm and Doomben racecourses, to be completed over the next 10 years.

Training of racehorses will continue at Eagle Farm where 450 infield stables will be built and racing will be conducted at both tracks.

The installation of horse and pedestrian tunnels is a priority in the concept. More than $400 million has been dedicated to the upgrade of racing facilities.

The concept master plan proposes a variety of lifestyle, residential, retail and commercial precincts within the racecourse boundaries but in areas superficial to raceday and training requirements.
Interactive: View the BRC's concept master plan
The Brisbane Racing Club, a club rising from the merger of the two current metropolitan race clubs and formally due to begin operating on July 1, is working closely with the Brisbane City Council to ensure the development meets all regulatory requirements.

Both BRC and the council have agreed to form a special project team.

Architects Cox Rayner are the lead design consultants and construction and property development company Watpac will manage the project.

The tunnels will provide access to the infield areas for parking, recreation, stabling, eequestrien events and community sports set around a series of lakes.

The concept master plan has been formulated over the past year. The formal Development Application will be presented to the Brisbane City Council within the next six to 12 months.

"The reason we are announcing our vision now is to ensure the community is well aware of this project," BRC chairman Kevin Dixon said.

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25337020-952,00.html

Anyone got any more info on this?

I was worried the merger would see Doomben shut and the land turned into some boring housing estate, so I'm glad to see they seem to be retaining both tracks.

I've only seen a few very basic pictures they have released, I guess it's all "vision and concept" at the moment.

^^ Not exactly there was a DA floating about the system by Watpac i think for a redevelopment of Doomben. Probably went nowhere now we have a larger Master Plan.

Arghh...over 1,100 carparks proposed!

whats wrong with the carparks? I dont understand the users of this site hate for carparks.

whats wrong with the carparks? I dont understand the users of this site hate for carparks.

haha, your funny

http://www.brc.com.au/index.html has some more information

Including a pdf of the masterplan which is actually big enough to read: http://www.brc.com.au/masterplan.pdf

whats wrong with the carparks? I dont understand the users of this site hate for carparks.

How old are you?

I can see their point of view though. The people behind this development want to make it attractive to the right people. Unfortunately, in horse racing, the "right people" typically expect to drive. A certain demographic is being catered to.

The train stations are still very conveniently located to the precinct. Though that just means they could have done with less parking I suppose.

Edit: also worth considering would be the fact that those who are not convenient to PT themselves (ie at the start of their journey) would have to park and ride from wherever a handy PT facility is to Ascot Station. And we're trying to say Park 'n Ride facilities are bad? It makes a pretty complex knot to untie. More complex, perhaps, than "carparks are bad".

And did I mention that $1.2Billion is A LOT OF MONEY! This ought to be something quite special on completion!

Do many racetracks have lakes and other such things in the middle of them? It's a cool idea though.

I agree with the comment in today's talking point, considering the economic cycle investors have little appetite for such grand developments. No government funding either. The promoters are unfazed, claiming elements of the scheme should be ready to proceed just in time for the next upturn. A promising start, especially considering they already own the land, but still a long way off from being a sure thing.

i live in ascot. my local area is already over-crowded, with more units being built along the river, a la portside.

not more units and shops and parking lots here. the quality of life is sliding downhill and a faster and faster rate.

turn these racecourses into parks.

^^ Mate... You live close to the CBD and in a major growth & transport corridor. What do you expect will happen to the area? Maybe acreage estates will start opening up? Not likely...!

Is the quality of life sliding downhill in any area besides congestion? "More people" isn't really a valid reason to claim worse quality of life. If the former, then you'll find everyone in Brisbane has encountered exactly the same thing over the past 5-10yrs.

i live in ascot. my local area is already over-crowded, with more units being built along the river, a la portside.

not more units and shops and parking lots here. the quality of life is sliding downhill and a faster and faster rate.

if you don't like the way the suburb is going you could always move.

btw, Ascot has a population density of about 2,000people/sqkm which would not put it in the top 25 densest areas in Brisbane. i'm really not convinced you have much to complain about.

my local area is already over-crowded, with more units being built...

...........Nimby statement.

Do many racetracks have lakes and other such things in the middle of them? It's a cool idea though.


Most of the water areas are already there for irrigation. Comparing Google Maps to the Masterplan the only one I can see that doesn't exist is the eastern lake on Eagle Farm. What is different, at least for Australia anyways (and i'm not sure about overseas), is the usage of the infield for more entertainment purposes instead of just a waste land (ignoring the carparking:lol:). I do understand its purpose though, I am sure it will cost $20 a spot on major racedays.

I'm concerned how Nudgee Rd would be able to cope with the extra traffic associated with the redevelopment. It's just a local thorughfare. Rail upgrades should also be done. It will also be good for Hamilton as that area develops as well.

It's an absolute godsend for that entire part of town IMO. Not only is it a seriously classy facility, but quite a good portion is open to community use - the equestrian centre, community sports field, equine clinic, 16Ha of open space and so forth. Additionally, the development component (retail, commercial, residential precincts) is being designed by Cox Raynor - fantastic architects - and is essentially a TOD given the excellent proximity of Ascot Station in particular.

Talk about a revival! Having read the entire PDF detailing the plans for the development, and studied the map, it's going to be brilliant. It also sets a precedent for progress in neighbouring areas - especially Hamilton, which is already getting a boost lately.

I think it's a given that there will be some degree of traffic chaos around there on race/event days. Is it avoidable? Probably not entirely. They do reference "incentives to use neighbouring public transport" multiple times in the document on their website. Though they're light on specifics in that regard. Possibly a hefty parking fee. They say they need the carparks to discourage out of control on-street parking in the local area.

In all, I am very keen on this. Also interested to note that it is ENTIRELY self-funded. Absolutelly no money is needed from the government or external financiers. WOW!

i'm glad the two racecourses are being retained. it keeps the heritage of it whilst embracing change as well. i was always of the opinion that if they moved it elsewhere that ppl would lose interest as ppl are fond of the old school facilities we've got. it would be like taking cricket from the MCG and playing at the Telstra Dome.

maybe also with this increase in density around the railway line, maybe it could be a catalyst for the doomben line duplication. the only issue is the capacity constraints of the North Coast Line.

maybe also with this increase in density around the railway line, maybe it could be a catalyst for the doomben line duplication. the only issue is the capacity constraints of the North Coast Line.

Duplication AND extension to portside via the Hamilton branch and yard :banana:


Maybe it will happen if the BRC fund it...

I can see their point of view though. The people behind this development want to make it attractive to the right people. Unfortunately, in horse racing, the "right people" typically expect to drive. A certain demographic is being catered to.



Spot on! We have to get real and realise that with the infrequent service that the Doomben line has, people are going to use their cars. I just hope they charge exhorbitant fees that might discourage patrons who can be converted into using public transport. There will always be a demographic that will shun public transport no matter what and this demographic is very prevalent at the races.

That's a fair bit of parking, but at least it isn't dominating the streetscape, being within the racecourse itself. But looking on Google Maps, there doesn't seem to be much parking provided there now, so how do people get there? If they mainly get there before by train, then by providing parking you're just encouraging them to drive (not including the parking provided for the proposed townhouses/commercial developments) or on the other hand, if they're just parking in the local streets, than there's always the resentment from the local community about their neighbour and parking requirements.

People used to get trams after the races as well as the trains, this is on Lancaster Rd near Eagle Farm in 1969, picture is by Mike Quirk on qrig.org.

There is some limited parking provided at the tracks, and also it isn't that hard to park in the nearby streets and walk a few hundred metres to the gates. I've caught the trains a few times, but as said above, certain race goers wouldn't be seen dead on them and they are mostly filled with the plebs.

http://img6.imageshack.us/img6/7933/racestrams.jpg (http://img6.imageshack.us/my.php?image=racestrams.jpg)

Eagle Farm 2005
http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/7048/races99.jpg (http://img5.imageshack.us/my.php?image=races99.jpg)

has anyone seen the rooftop grandstand with ppl in it? ever?????? i would imagine that it would be like a stovetop in summer

I have, I've been up there myself, it's used on the busier days, which in Brisbane are during the winter carnival.

what a lost opportunity
it fucks me why they are going to keep two near-identical facilities open next door to each other.. it's not like they both stage events at the same time so there is definitely no need for two tracks.

instead, they are going to redevelop the surplus land around the edges of the tracks.. so the tracks and the local area are now going to feel more crowded, even tho they are not really adding that much stuff, because there is still going to be a giant waste of space with the duplicated race tracks and crowd facilities.

so weak.

^^ Would help if you actually read the plan. The second facility includes a polo field, equestrian centre, stables, equine clinic. There's also 16 Hectares of open space/parkland included in the proposal, as opposed to about 2 Hectares currently.

When this was announced, the Brisbane Racing Club said they believed it would be ''equal to or better than anything Sydney and Melbourne had to offer.'' I don't know a lot about horse racing or racing facilities, so does anyone have an opinion on that statement?

I certainly think this will be a great addition to the sporting and recreational scenes in Brisbane.

Ascot businesses indicate their support for this one.

From City North News

Ascot business leaders race to show support
news Local News 21 Apr 09 @ 09:39am

ASCOT: Business owners have thrown their support behind a proposal to build shops, apartments and a conference centre at the suburb’s two racecourses.
They say the people attracted to the precinct will help their businesses grow.
The new Brisbane Racing Club unveiled plans yesterday to redevelop Eagle Farm and Doomben in the next 10-15 years, in a self-funded project costing $1.2billion.
Architect Michael Rayner said the development would ensure a precinct that would attract people all year round, not just on race days.
Baguette Bistrot + Bar owner Marilyn Domenech said the development would become ``an adjunct’’ to Racecourse Rd.
``Like Portside Wharf, we will all link into one major precinct,’’ Mrs Domenech said. ``If you have a good and interesting business, it will bring people.
``It’s not a matter of, `I have a restaurant at Racecourse Rd so we can’t have another’. We will all feed off each other.’’
Harrisons Menswear owner Ian Harrison said he was in favour of apartments bringing in more residents because it meant ``more people circulating in the area’’.
Flash Boutique on Racecourse owner Heather Chippendale said the development was a welcome one.
The club will establish a Community Reference Group and work with Brisbane City Council through a special project team.

^^ Would help if you actually read the plan. The second facility includes a polo field, equestrian centre, stables, equine clinic. There's also 16 Hectares of open space/parkland included in the proposal, as opposed to about 2 Hectares currently.

it might have all of those nice things, but imagine how much it could include if it didn't have a duplicate race track!!

thought i would revive this thread to give kika44 a chance to voice his/her twocents.

DA is up for the Preliminary Approval Application: # A003048197

I am going to be controversial (because I'm in the mood) and say that, if ever there were a case for the KSD upgrade, this and Northshore are it. Forget Airport Link, a new road directly through this precinct is needed. I was recently struck by the density already emerging in the small pocket of Northshore that is being developed (Hamilton Harbour, Portside and surrounds). Bearing in mind that the entire ULDA precinct is much larger than the area of the Brisbane CBD, then throw this development into the mix... There's some major, major growth happening out this way.

With one caveat - a decent PT trunk should be included too. Without both this is going to be totally unsustainable.

There already is a road servicing this area, plus a whole new freeway just north. The KSD upgrade is an urban planning faux pas and should never happen (except maybe the introduction of bus lanes and upgraded pedestrian and cycle paths). Either a new subway line or the Doomben line extension would solve a hell of a lot of issues. We all know where this discussion is going to head though....

Yeah, the CBD needs another 2 freeways running through it with exit ramps onto local CBD streets because of the amount of new towers going up.

Agreed...I mean where else will the 50,000 extra cars from 111+222 go?!? And with all the new towers at Hamilton, I think there should actually be a new 6-lane bridge over to Bulimba for access to Oxford Street cafes!!11!

I don't think you're having regard for the size of the development envelope and the fact that it's basically a residential suburb. The planning considerations are not even comparable to your ludicrous examples.

I'm just trying to rile you up. :)

In all serious though, I know you're an intelligent guy Marty, and you probably know/have read about the articles below, but anyway:

http://www.preservenet.com/freeways/FreewaysCheonggye.html

http://www.streetsblog.org/2006/12/08/seouls-new-heart/

http://www.ptua.org.au/myths/popular.shtml

http://www.walkablestreets.com/widen2.htm

http://www.itdp.org/index.php/news/detail/more_roads_wont_solve_traffic_problem/

And there are hundreds more articles, reports, studies which come to the same conclusion. At the end of the day, the aim of good urban planning should be to discourage private vehicle use, and encourage public transit, walking, cycling and other more efficient, cheaper and healthier transport options. Especially from within the CBD and adjacent inner city suburbs.

Widening KSD would only be a temporary band-aid solution. In X years time after completion, it will fill up again, there is no doubt about that. And then what, how about another tunnel? Another road widening? When does it end? Road widening/expansion does NOT reduce traffic - this is a fact.

If people choose to live at Northshore Hamilton, they do so with the knowledge of it's location, and the places they will need to travel to on a day-to-day basis.

This thread is useless without pics. Especially as it's one of Brisbane's biggest ever proposals.

http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/masterplan.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/masterplan2.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourse1.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourse2.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourse3.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourse4.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses1.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses2.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses5.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses4.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses6.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses3.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses8.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses7.jpg

Wow this really is huge! Thanks for the pics. I imagine that this will be aimed at the upper end of the market considering its location, so the towers should be of good quality, loving the vertical gardens especially. Is there any formal proposal at this stage or is it still purely conceptual?

Just the masterplan document. Price tag is $1.2Bn which is astro.

Watpac and Cox Rayner are behind it, both capable of exceptional work.

I can see the residential portion going gangbusters especially the ones with views of the racetrack.

I absolutely agree. I think sales on this one will go nuts. Ascot location, huge open space and parkland, views of the racecourse. They really need to brace themselves for objections from the local residents though... High end suburbs are shockers for that kind of thing.

Quote to go over the page...

This thread is useless without pics. Especially as it's one of Brisbane's biggest ever proposals.

http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/masterplan.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/masterplan2.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourse1.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourse2.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourse3.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourse4.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses1.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses2.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses5.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses4.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses6.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses3.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses8.jpg
http://i619.photobucket.com/albums/tt280/Dr_Marty/racecourses7.jpg

Small story on ABC about the masterplan for this being approved today

^^ It has indeed been green lighted. From the Courier Mail (http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/b-track-development-passes-first-barrier-trial/story-e6freoof-1226525276543):

$1.2b track development passes first barrier trial

by: Andrew MacDonald, Nathan Exelby From: The Courier-Mail November 28, 2012 12:00AM

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2012/11/27/1226525/271364-here-039-s-howmayor-graham-quirk-and-neville-bell-chairman-of-brc-talk-about-the-races-development.jpg
ON TRACK: Graham Quirk (left) and Neville Bell reflect on the plan to transform Brisbane's racing precinct. Picture: Annette Dew Source: The Courier-Mail

HIGHRISES of up to 15 storeys could become a feature of a day at the races with a master plan for the Eagle Farm and Doomben precinct winning council approval.

Brisbane Racing Club's $1.2 billion proposal cleared yesterday's meeting of Brisbane City Council unopposed and now paves the way for the staggered rollout of shops, offices and units in nine areas around the two historic facilities.

The master plan, which has been in the pipeline since 2009, permits developments that could house up to 2800 people along with a new hotel and conference centre, two new parks, outdoor sporting areas and pedestrian paths.

The council has mandated both racetracks must stay, with provisions for new stands, better tracks, on-site stables and more parking.

Heritage protections, particularly relating to Eagle Farm, were included as a condition of the approval but also allow a development of up to 15 storeys in one trackside precinct at Eagle Farm and developments of up to nine storeys in another around the Doomben site at the corner of Nudgee Rd and Hampden St.

http://resources3.news.com.au/images/2012/11/27/1226525/272715-here-039-s-how-brisbane-039-s-racing-precinct-will-look.jpg
RACING NOW: Here's how Brisbane's racing precinct will look: with shops, offices and units up to 15 storeys high and new park areas. (artist's impressions). Picture: Annette Dew Source: The Courier-Mail

Brisbane Racing Club chairman Neville Bell said it was "an innovative and visionary project" which would "secure the future of racing in Brisbane".

"We hope the realisation of our master plan will bring together community and commerce in a responsible way," Mr Bell said.

On-site stabling and tunnels would be among the first projects to get under way.

He did not rule out rotating track closures to limit disruptions to meets as bigger projects were rolled out.

BRC chief executive Stephen Ferguson said the key component of yesterday's approval was the rezoning of the land from sport and recreation to mixed use.

"We now have certainty over the types of developments that can proceed and that means we can now do what we set out to achieve," Mr Ferguson said.

He stressed the project "would not be quick" but he hoped work could begin soon on its formative stages.

"The window of opportunity is between July and December so as to avoid the impact of construction on our winter carnival," he said. "We will be pushing as hard as we can for work to begin in July, 2013."

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk yesterday gave his support to the master plan and said it represented a good result given early discussions about the precinct canvassed the closure of one track.

"This is about creating a self-contained community around our horse-racing precinct that makes it not only attractive to punters but the whole of Brisbane," he said.

BCC planning committee chairwoman Cr Amanda Cooper stressed council approval gave permission to the "concept for development" but the council would still have to sign off on individual projects before they went ahead.

Cr Cooper said 112 public submissions were received over the master plan, of which 106 were in support.