Qld: Further delays for North Bank project

AAP General News (Australia)
04-29-2008
Qld: Further delays for North Bank project

By Gabrielle Dunlevy

BRISBANE, April 29 AAP - The Queensland government has delayed a decision on Brisbane's
multi-billion-dollar North Bank development until September, almost six years after it
was first proposed.

In October 2002, the state government invited development submissions for the site
on the Brisbane River now dominated by the Riverside Expressway.

Multiplex was chosen last year in a competitive process as the preferred developer
for North Bank - a $1.7 billion project combining residential and commercial buildings
with public space, likened to Sydney's Darling Harbour.

The proposal was universally unpopular, with concerns raised about the height of its
buildings, its reach into the river and potential flood risks.

Premier Anna Bligh today told state parliament the government would enter a five-month
process of Enquiry by Design (Enquiry by Design) to find a better solution.

Experts in design, construction and other stakeholders would workshop the development
at no cost to taxpayers, she said.

Ms Bligh defended the protracted process, saying it would bring the "next evolution"

of North Bank.

"This is not about ditching North Bank. This is about getting North Bank right," she
told reporters in Brisbane today.

"And, if that takes a bit longer, then that's a good thing.

"This (riverside area) has been an eyesore for more than three decades - if it takes
another three months to get the best outcome for the people of Brisbane, then we should
do it."

Ms Bligh said Multiplex could withdraw its commitment to the project if it wished,
as it had not entered into a contract with the government.

Opposition Leader Lawrence Springborg said the government should start from scratch,
opening the project to other developers.

Mr Springborg described the proposal as "Godzilla on the river", and said Multiplex
was as much to blame as the government.

"If there's no contract, it should be reopened, and you've really got to ask why there
is such a connection then between this government and Multiplex," Mr Springborg told reporters
in Brisbane today.

"You surely cannot have confidence in a process where the government's promised to
deliver something, the preferred developer hasn't delivered it within the satisfaction
of people in this city, and then saying you're going to do it with the same parties all
over again."

A Multiplex spokesman said the company would continue to cooperate with the government.

"As it has done to date, Brookfield Multiplex - in its position as preferred developer
of North Bank - is committed to continuing to work with the Queensland government to achieve
the government's objectives for the project," the spokesman said.

AAP gd/pjo/jl/cdh

KEYWORD: NORTHBANK NIGHTLEAD

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