Plan to attract $20 billion of development on Cross River Rail sites

A plan to attract $20 billion of development and create 35,000 jobs on 22 hectares of prime real estate in the centre of Brisbane will be unveiled by the State Government today.

DEVELOPERS have been invited to detail their plans to transform five key locations across Brisbane as 22 hectares of prime real estate is unlocked through Cross River Rail.

The Government will today unveil plans to attract $20 billion worth of new development and 35,000 jobs through its new and redeveloped train stations at the Ekka, Roma Street, Albert Street, Woolloongabba and Boggo Road.

Cross River Rail Minister Kate Jones said the five new “high-capacity stations” provided the perfect opportunity for an array of new developments to transform Brisbane.

“The Delivery Strategy we’re announcing today will see up to 22 hectares of prime real estate in the heart of Brisbane revitalised,” she said.

“Expert analysis shows the Cross River Rail Precincts could generate up to $20 billion worth of new economic development and around 35,000 new jobs.”

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Roma Street Station’s busway interchange will undergo a $250 million underground transformation.

The Government has come up with themes for each site under the strategy ahead of consultation, which begins now. The Exhibition station will provide new, year-round services for the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and the RNA Showground Lifestyle precinct and accelerate the areas’s urban renewal through a connected, health, housing and recreation hub.

Roma Street will become Brisbane’s ‘Grand Central station’ and a western gateway for the city’s premier cultural and entertainment offerings, including Brisbane Live and new shops and apartments.

Albert Street will be the first new CBD station built in 120 years as the street turns into a pedestrian-only space. Woolloongabba, with its iconic Gabba and a new pedestrian bridge over Main Street, would become a centre for sport, community and health businesses.

An artist’s impression of the Cross River Rail station at Woolloongabba.

Boggo Road station would see the continued development of the area as an innovation precinct, specialising in research, health, science and education.

“The new Cross River Rail stations will connect people, communities and businesses providing opportunities for a wave of economic growth, development and investment, boosting our economy and creating jobs,” Ms Jones said.

The $5.4 billion, 10.2km Cross River Rail line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills will provide a second river crossing for trains through 5.9km of tunnel under the Brisbane River and CBD. It will allow for turn-up-and-go services and will shave travel time to Brisbane’s south and the Gold Coast.