$2.1 billion Brisbane Live project stuck in decision limbo

It was billed as a gamechanger that would transform a slice of Brisbane’s CBD into an entertainment magnet and attract the best in the world, but the $2.1 billion project has been left in limbo for the past nine months. But it’s not the only one.

THE massive $2.1 billion Brisbane Live project billed as transforming a huge section of the CBD has been sitting with the State Government waiting for a decision for more than nine months.

Brisbane Live is one of four major projects where the business cases are done and are awaiting a decision, the Government’s own infrastructure body has revealed in a report released on Wednesday.

The other projects are the $247 million congestion-busting Centenary Bridge upgrade, the $90 million-$100 million Lake Macdonald Dam improvement and the $70 million south-west pipeline bulk-water connection to Beaudesert.

Building Queensland’s Infrastructure Pipeline Report says Brisbane Live would be part of the Cross River Rail station at Roma St and revitalise an “under-utilised section of the Brisbane CBD”, and offering a world-class entertainment precinct.

Artists impressions of the Brisbane Live precinct in Brisbane CBD that would transform the area around the Roma Street Station

A State Government spokesman said the Brisbane Live business case was provided to government on November 6 last year.

“The government will consider the Brisbane Live budget case in due course, with any consideration accounting for potential private investment to support the project,” he said.

It is expected to include a 18,000 seat arena built over the railway between Albert and Roma streets.

LNP Shadow Infrastructure Minister Andrew Powell said the report proved that goverment delays were bogging down desperately needed projects.

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“Building Queensland’s latest infrastructure report shows that the $2.1 billion Brisbane Live project has all but fallen over,” Mr Powell said.

“Whether it was infrastructure for schools, dams or rail lines, projects across the board have been delayed, postponed or canned altogether.”

State Development Minister Cameron Dick said the 2019 Infrastructure Pipeline Report demonstrated the significant progress made towards the state’s infrastructure needs and creating more jobs.