Future Brisbane: Time to ignite city’s night economy

Brisbane needs to create more night-time precincts if the city is going to maximise the green and gold runway to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, writes Robbie Cooke.

When you think of the world’s most popular cities, they all have a common element in their overall tourism offerings. As diverse as they might be in climate, culture, food and language, you can rest assured there is a vibrant night-time economy that keeps visitors connected, entertained and inclined to return.

Whether it’s shopping, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, theatres, exhibitions or other attractions, the opportunity to have an extended experience will always be a key factor when tourists consider their travel destinations.

THE NIGHT-LIFE REVOLUTION BRISBANE NEEDS

Brisbane needs to create more night-time precincts if we as a city are going to maximise the green and gold runway to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

It’s something we need to consider and address because the countdown to the Games has already commenced and from 2028, post the closing ceremony in Los Angeles, the eyes of the world will turn to Brisbane.

It sometimes takes major events or milestones to propel dynamic thinking and change.

When I was young and growing up in Brisbane, trading hours meant that nothing was open on a Sunday, unless we went to a movie in ‘town’. Late night shopping at Toombul shopping centre on a Thursday was considered a major event!

But in the early ’80s things started to change. The first stage of the Queen St Mall, designed to draw more people into the city, was opened by Queen Elizabeth II ahead of the 1982 Brisbane Commonwealth Games.

It was then extended as a pedestrian mall to coincide with Expo 88.

And we all know what Expo did to transform the city and our thinking.

Robbie Cooke, The Star Entertainment Group CEO.

We now have a new, once-in-a-generation catalyst to create memorable connections and memories, not only for us lucky enough to live in Brisbane but also those who visit this wonderfully liveable riverside city.

Since winning the tender in 2015 to develop Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, The Star has had an unwavering commitment to ensure this multibillion-dollar project bolsters visitation, improves the city’s connectivity, and truly energises a precinct that had previously been so under-utilised.

That will include delivering a night-time entertainment economy, not just restricted to weekends but also flourishing midweek.

By the time the best of the world’s athletes, officials, sports fans, media and tourists arrive for the 2032 Games, The Star Brisbane and Queen’s Wharf will have welcomed millions of locals, plus intrastate, interstate and international visitors.

The Sky Deck will be open to the public 24-7, all year round.

There will be no shortage of choice with 1000 hotel rooms, more than 50 restaurants, cafes and bars, premium retail outlets, a massive events centre and 7.5 hectares of public space providing something for everyone.

Our collection of multimillion-dollar art installations across the precinct will be stunning and permanently on public view.

The Neville Bonner Bridge will provide a direct connection from Queen’s Wharf to South Bank and the city’s premier cultural precinct.

The Neville Bonner Bridge connecting Queen's Wharf to South Bank. Picture: Liam Kidston

The riverside Finger Wharves will be a drop on and off point for water taxis and other marine craft, perhaps even a floating helipad.

Brisbane is evolving and it’s exciting for The Star to play its part.

We know we still have a lot of work to do to earn back the trust of our community, including our regulators, our governments, our guests, our shareholders and our team members, but we have commenced what was a necessary transformation of our business.

We have refreshed our senior leadership team and more than quadrupled both our harm minimisation and AML teams. We are working openly and transparently with our regulators.

We have a new board which includes significant gaming experience and is focused on resetting behaviours and ways of operation.

We have undergone an organisational restructure.

We have submitted to our regulators an extensive Remediation Plan and are awaiting approval.

And just in the last few weeks, with input from some of our 8000-strong team members, we have released our new Purpose, Values and Principles that reflect our commitment to being a better company and operating with the highest levels of integrity in all that we do.

We are committed to delivering entertainment, gaming, and leisure experiences in a safe, responsible and ethical way well before 2032.

My hope is that those experiences will include a vibrant and lively night-time experience that can compare with the best the world has to offer.