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.
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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.”
There are currently 106 buildings listed on the BCC City Plan Heritage Register and 75 listed on the Character Register for Fortitude Valley, which was last amended July 2005. Knowing that heritage is a hot topic and property owners are conscious of the effects on future property values, Greg Sheehan from The Buchan Group is providing pro-bono services to the Valley Property Owners Group, to assist them in understanding the implications of any changes to the current heritage plan. Of current concern, is which buildings on the Character Register will be upgraded to heritage, as this has major ramifications for the owners of these properties. Greg will be liaising with Urban Renewal Brisbane on prospective changes.
Recent combined meetings with Premier Peter Beattie’s Policy Advisors, Derpartment of Tourism, Fair Trading, Wine Industry Development and Women, Qld Police Service, Qld Transport including TransLink, Brisbane City Council, Urban Renewal Brisbane, Chair of the Valley Alcohol Management Committee and the Valley Chamber, bears fruit. The objective was to share information between State Government, BCC and business and form a partnership where it is possible to ensure a growth management strategic plan for the future of the Valley, as a commercial hub by day and viable entertainment precinct by night.
The current Inner North Eastern Suburbs Infrastructure Charges Plan (ICP), which incorporates Fortitude Valley, is being evaluated as part of the LGMS. In its last revision in 2001, ICP included sewerage, water, waterways, community purposes such as neighbourhood centres and parks, and transport infrastructure including upgrades to roads, intersections, land acquisition, pedestrian and cycle paths, bus shelters and ferry terminals. ICPs at inception accounted for approximately 5% of development costs and if they continue to increase (30% increase since 2001 from $1.03 per ICU to $1.42) property developers are concerned this will affect development opportunities in the future. Lambert & Rehbein is providing its time to the Valley Property Group to liaise with Urban Renewal Brisbane, ensuring it is aware of the Group’s concerns.
The Valley Vision will be reviewing building heights and densities, and while the current heights vary from two to six storeys, the Valley Property Group has since May last year petitioned for heights to increase to twenty storeys or more. This is to attract greater commercial development and lead to an improvement of the day ecomomy through increasing the number of office workers in the Valley. Improved densities will also increase the residential base.
Urban Renewal Plans For The Valley
With the release of the South East Queensland Regional Plan in 2005, Brisbane City Council has delivered a draft Local Growth Management Strategy (LGMS) outlining the sequencing of growth for an additional 145,000 residential dwellings by 2026. Fortitude Valley is identified in the draft LGMS as a regional activity centre catering for significant commercial and residential growth. Over the past several months, Urban Renewal Brisbane, together with key stakeholders, has developed a Fortitude Valley Urban Vision. An executive summary of the Valley Vision has been provided as a supplement within this issue of The Valley Brief, and a comprehensive copy is available at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/fortitudevalley. Over the coming month, Urban Renewal Brisbane will be engaging with the community to gain feedback on the Fortitude Valley Urban Vision. The feedback will be used to help shape the implementation strategy for the Valley Vision. Council encourages local residents and businesses to have their say at www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/fortitudevalley and help to shape the future of Brisbane’s iconic Fortitude Valley.
The Valley Brief, proudly created by the Valley Chamber of Commerce, launched today. Carol Gordon and Andy Anderssen, joint chairs of the Valley Property Owners Group, Valley Chamber of Commerce, introduced the publication to prospective business and property owners.
“In the past two years, we have had the pleasure of working with a passionate team at the Valley Chamber of Commerce to realise the enormous potential Fortitude Valley has to offer the thriving Brisbane and Queensland economies. We are situated in a prime position, connecting the CBD to Brisbane Airport and linking the north to the south. Fortitude Valley is made up of many small-to-medium-sized businesses and property owners who have created its distinct bohemian identity and cosmopolitan character, identified by an eclectic mix of shops, markets, music venues, bars and galleries. They are passionate about stamping their ideas, dreams, and values on the precinct whilst embodying the character and community spirit of its people. With the major capital, global ideals and resources of large development companies investing in the Valley, and we have the basis for a superior, world-class and buoyant 24/7 economy. Continue reading ‘THE VALLEY BRIEF HITS THE STREETS’
Fortitude Valley’s Chamber of Commerce has distanced itself from calls for a moratorium on new liquor licences in the entertainment precinct. Deputy Mayor and Local Councillor David Hinchliffe had told mX the Chambers entertainment management committee would ask the State Government to consider whether the Valley has reached saturation point”. But Valley Chamber of Commerce president Carol Gordon said while the issue was raised, the Chamber would not support the move. Gordon described a moratorium as a “restraint of trade” and said it should be firmly off the table.”We definitely don’t support it,” she said. “it was raised at one meeting, but how could we possibly support it? It never got off the ground.” Gordon said a moratorium on licences would stunt the growth of the Valley Entertainment Precinct. The demographic of people that the Valley attracts come here looking for new and exciting things, and if there are no new venues, that wont happen,” she said. “We’ve got a lot of property development in the area and there is room for growth.” Gordon said the Entertainment Precinct went further than just the Valley heart. But Gordon conceded more work needed to be done to ensure pedestrian safety as more people were attracted to the area. Valley Alcohol Management Partnership chairman Les Pullos said the Precinct’s key nightlife stakeholders wanted to sustain the Valley as a 24-hour entertainment and cultural hub.
(An article in the MX 3 July 2007, written by Cameron Atfield(