Welcome to the Valley Brief, an initiative of the Valley Chamber of Commerce. The objective of this news site is to keep property and business owners of Fortitude Valley informed and aware of the current and future directions and strategies for the area in terms of the Fortitude Valley Local Plan. Brisbane City Council will be finalising the Brisbane Local Growth Management Strategy in the second half of 2007 which will direct the future of the Fortitude Valley Local Plan, so it is our opportunity now to ensure the opinions of Valley Property and Business Owners is heard through ‘one voice’. The Valley Brief is that ‘one voice’. Thank you.
Archive for the 'Community' Category
Green Square Sets a Benchmark
The Green Square project, located on the corner of St Pauls Terrace and Constance Street is the largest mixed use Corporate Office Park developed in Brisbane over the last fifteen years. Developed by Leighton Properties, Green Square has been designed to accommodate up to 40,000sqm of A-grade commercial office space, high-tech utility facilities, community facilities, a childcare centre and residential precinct, all surrounding a retail plaza for staff and visitors. The South Tower with in the development is the first commercial building in Queensland to be awarded a Five Star Green Star rating achieving Australian Excellence in environmental sustainability. This building will also be home to approximately 1,000 Brisbane City Council field and office staff from branches of City Business, Customer and Community Services and iDivision. Completed in early August, tenants will progressively move in to their new office premises. As part of managing their transition several key issues arose, including transport advice on travel routes, personal safety and promoting the benefits of being located in the vibrant Valley area.
State Cabinet has today approved proposed amendments to the Drugs Misuse Act which will strengthen Queensland’s drug laws and provide increased maximum penalties for unlawful possession, supply and trafficking for a range of dangerous drugs.
Premier Anna Bligh said the Drugs Misuse Amendment Bill 2007 will mean maximum penalties for unlawful possession, supply and trafficking of ‘ecstasy’ (MDMA) and ‘death’ (PMA) will be increased from 20 to 25 years.
“Under the Bill the Schedule 2 drugs ‘ecstasy’ and ‘death’ will be reclassified as Schedule 1 drugs which carry the greater penalties,” Ms Bligh said.
“Valium and Serapax as well as all drugs previously in Schedule 2A of the laws, such as steroids, Rohypnol (known as Flunitrazepam) and ephedrine, would be added to Schedule 2, which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years’ jail for unlawful possession, supply or trafficking.”
Continue reading ‘QLD Gets Tougher on Drug Laws’
Overview
Glasses and cutlery are madly being polished, stocks are taken off the simmer, playlists are being sorted and taxi ranks take a breath as the chime of clocks at 6pm marks the beginning of the evening in Australia’s first designated Entertainment Precinct – the Valley. Its night economy has blossomed over the past decade, while the day trade is just picking up now. With all the highs that go with an Entertainment Precinct, there are also major challenges, especially managing the influx of people who want to absorb the savoury scents and raw energy oozing from the hundreds of take-away outlets, cafes, restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs within a 500-metre radius. The key to managing issues that raise their unwanted head is for private and government stakeholders to work together and realise the great potential that the precinct has on the community and businesses, and the positive flow-on effects for the economy as a whole. There are many interested parties here for the long term who are keen to work hard to see the Valley’s ongoing success.
On the 4th November, the New York Times published a piece on Fortitude Valley. The glowing editorial reflects the beliefs of the Valley Community and heralds the importance of developing the Valley while maintaining its heart and culture. Read the whole story.
The Road to Effective Management
In 2002, a joint initiative of the State and Local Government suggested to Valley licensees that a pro-active and locally responsive group be formed to manage the issues associated with the consumption of alcohol. The result was VAMP – the Valley Alcohol Management Partnership, established in 2002. Les Pullos, the Chair of VAMP since 2005, has seen a great deal of growth and change in that time. “When I attended the first meeting along with Queensland Police, BCC, Dept of Communitees, other licensees and stakeholders, we immediately looked at pro-active measures to address possible future issues.” By 2005, VAMP had developed a comprehensive wishlist, so when the State Government implemented the 17-point Brisbane City Safety Action Plan in March, almost all of the suggestions on the list were realised. “While venues were not happy about the 3am lockout as it changed the vibrancy of the area, they were glad to see our changes implemented,” remarks Les. “The mainstreaming of our patronage now has introduced a lot of new challenges and we are keen to implement several more of the items on our new wishlist (refer page 09). To realise the potential of the Valley Entertainment Precinct, there needs to be an expectation that there will be large crowds, and strategies have to be introduced to manage those numbers. We also need to ensure new venues add other dimensions and vibrancy to the Valley, not to simply replicate what is here already. Unfortunately, we also have to accept that drugs are changing the dynamics of the night scene, and venues cannot be held totally responsible for dealing with that serious issue. We are keen to continue working with authorities to manage all of these issues and make the Valley an even safer and enjoyable Entertainment Precinct to work and visit.”
Director, Fentmont PTY LTD
How long have you been based in the Valley?
I was born in the Valley in 1964 and have either lived or worked here ever since.
Why did you base your business in the Valley?
My father purchased the California Cafe in 1952, a few years after arriving from Cyprus. Since 1971 the family company has purchased commercial properties in the area on Brunswick Street, including Carols Corner, and a few on Ann Street. I assist in managing the family operations, and am proud of what we have achieved in nurturing start-up businesses and especially fashion designers and boutiques which have made the Ann Street strip a Brisbane icon.
What other ties do you have with the Valley?
I am on the Mall’s Advisory Committee, a member of the Valley Chamber of Commerce and part of their Valley Property Group.
How has the Valley changed in that time?
The Valley has evolved into a vibrant multicultural community that has become Brisbane’s soul, from the early part of the century’s heydays as the Brisbane hub of retailing into Brisbane’s music capital. I would like to see property owners of heritage buildings, and those who rent out their shops for below market value so that young people can still have their dream of starting a business, be rewarded with reduced land tax and rates. Otherwise with no incentive to keep rents down it will be just the mainstream operators who can afford to be here.
What is your vision for the Valley?
Within ten years the Valley will be a place where the streets will be traffic-calmed and tree-lined, high-rise buildings will blend with the old, and small and independent businesses will complement the mainstream. Businesses like architects, web designers and the tech sector will flourish, and students and workers will continue to enjoy the cosmopolitan lifestyle and live work, study and play, all in a bustling environment.
There were whispers in the wings regarding Mass Rapid Transport (MRT) in Brisbane, and Premier Beattie has just backed BCC’s plans to see MRTs re-emergence as part of the infrastructure required to cater to the expected growth in the next ten to fifteen years. With Brisbane’s arts scene exploding, your trips to Melbourne might now be less frequent.
The Valley is to become the epicentre of several major urban-renewal developments, and a key to their connectivity in terms of business services and transport. The 16.4ha Newstead Riverpark masterplanned by Mirvac and FKP, together with the redevelopment of the RNA Showgrounds, Watpac’s proposed 35,000sqm Waterloo Junction and the Howard Smith Wharves redevelopment, are major reasons why all levels of government are keen to ensure that future plans enable a strong link between all the surrounding precincts and the Valley. Add Leighton Properties’ 512 Wickham Street project (38,000sqm commercial and 3,292sqm retail) and the proposed Valley Metro commercial office development by Lend Lease to these adjacent developments, and over 10,000 new workers and residents will be drawn to the area over the coming years. Robert McDonald, GM for Watpac Property believes the Valley’s location, together with an unprecedented office market has allowed it to grow into a genuine option for commercial users. “Our vision for the area is the first installment in an urban corridor that links the CBD with the Brisbane Airport precinct. The area will provide infrastructure that would equal, or even surpass, those currently available in the CBD.”
The name Eddie Liu is synonymous with Fortitude Valley and he has seen a great deal of change in his time. Integral to the opening of Chinatown in 1987, Secretary to the Chinese Club of Brisbane (which opened it doors in Wickham Street in 1996) and tirelessly working to improve Chinese cultural links in Brisbane since 1954, Mr Liu never shies away from a challenge. However, his concerns for the Valley’s cultural future are top of mind. “There are over forty Asian eating houses in the Valley and business needs to improve if rents continue to rise. We need more people in the area through the day to keep trade steady. We also need more parking for customers and ideally a good four-star hotel close to the train station.” Mr Liu states, “I hope the Valley picks up – Chinatown, the Asian grocers and eating houses contribute to what the Valley is today.”