Jonathan Sri wants land around Gabba train station to be green space
A Brisbane city councillor has proposed dramatic changes to plans for the land surrounding a key new Cross River Rail station that has been earmarked for multiple 30-storey towers, arguing the space should be for the community. SEE THE PLANS.
QLD News
Don't miss out on the headlines from QLD News. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Greens councillor Jonathan Sri has proposed turning land around a new high-capacity train station in his ward into a community space.
Cr Sri, who represents the Gabba ward in Brisbane City Council, has called for the land around the new Woolloongabba train station to be turned into public space.
Why Roma Street, Fortitude Valley stations have become mazes
Cross River Rail to bring ‘green spine’ to CBD, spruce up suburbs
Cross River Rail jobs up for grabs
It comes as construction on the $5.4b project ramps up, with thousands of jobs to be created across southeast Queensland over coming years.
Plans for the precinct around the new Woolloongabba Station include around a dozen high rise towers reaching up to 30 storeys, as well as a new pedestrian bridge over Main Road to the Gabba Stadium.
But Cr Sri has called for land around the new station to instead be potentially used for public amenity, saying surrounding areas were already zoned for high rise towers.
“We want to broaden the parameters of debate and open up conversation about the many different kinds of community facilities that could be delivered on this site, from theatres, libraries and music venues to swimming spots and a massive skate park,” he said.
The Greens unveiled two visions for the precinct, both of which included “space for farmers markets, sports fields, community halls and meeting spaces, and an Aboriginal cultural centre.”
“One vision also proposes several hundred public housing dwellings and office space for non-profit organisations, while the other includes larger swimming lagoons, more natural green spaces and more sporting facilities,” Cr Sri said.
He said the State Government shouldn’t sell public land off to developers.
Cross River Rail is a megaproject that will see trains dive underground in Dutton Park, service new stations at Woolloongabba and Albert Street as well as upgrade six southside train stations and the construction of three new stops on the Gold Coast.
Construction is expected to be finished by 2024, when additional platforms at Boggo Road, Roma Street and the full time use of Exhibition Station will also open.