Kick-Start QLD: How Brisbane could be world leader in sustainable development
It’s the boom industry that Brisbane could become a world leader in, and the city could take a major step forward with a vote at council chambers on Tuesday.
Future QLD
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Brisbane could join Singapore as a world leader in sustainable development, attracting global talent and delivering thousands of jobs and new investment in the River City.
It’s a bold vision shared by a growing group of developers, city design experts and local government leaders, and comes as Brisbane City Council votes on Tuesday to introduce a 50 per cent rebate on infrastructure charges for new residential and commercial office buildings if they meet a range of green design and sustainability criteria.
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Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said a sustainability strategy would take ambition, investment, time and “partnership with people that share our vision”.
“Singapore has set a high standard for green sustainable buildings and this (rebate) incentive will drive similar green designs here in Brisbane,” he said.
“These green buildings will include green walls, lush rooftops and significant planting and will not only have a positive impact on the environment, but will put Brisbane on the map as a world class, design-led city.”
A new economic benefit report for the $245.85 million Urban Forest residential development at South Brisbane shows the project will create 900 direct and indirect construction jobs at its peak.
Construction on the striking 30-storey tower is due to start next year and will be completed by 2023.
Visionary Queensland developer Aria Property Group – which created Fish Lane and the award-winning Melbourne Residences at South Brisbane – says Urban Forest will be the greenest residential building in the world.
Aria’s residential development manager Michael Hurley said Brisbane had set an “amazing foundation” to become a green city, and Urban Forest would inspire others to follow.
“This city needs a landmark, internationally recognised development to champion that goal,” he said.
One of the green features of Urban Forest will be the recycled grey water system used to irrigate its 1003 trees and 20,000 plants.
The building could create enough excess grey water to irrigate Musgrave Park, which Aria is working on a solution for.
Solar power on Urban Forest’s rooftop will be stored in Tesla battery packs so the building can use solar power live or stored throughout the day, and a public park at the bottom will double as a tourist information centre.
Urbis future state director Kate Meyrick said Brisbane was on the cusp of a transformational period underpinned by its current wave of green investment and attractive lifestyle proposition.
“This is the time to believe in Brisbane and position its major recovery projects to ignite long-term transformation; focusing on creating a future landscape of great places that enhance Brisbane’s productive potential and increase the health and happiness of its community.”