State government considers shopping, dining opportunities for Cross River Rail stations

The state government has revealed they are looking at introducing dining and shopping opportunities at the new train stations being built for Cross River Rail.

New retail and hospitality precincts could be introduced at Cross River Rail’s underground stations as part of the major transformation of the sites ahead of the 2023 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The Cross River Rail stations at Woolloongabba and Albert Street are set to open in 2025 – and now the government has confirmed they are considering dining and shopping opportunities for the precincts.

At the Gabba, these opportunities could include both retail and hospitality businesses which would be located above and underground the station opposite what will become the 2032 Games stadium.

Transport Minister Mark Bailey touring a replica of a Cross River Rail underground station last year.

And in Albert Street, it is understood retail opportunities are primarily being considered for above and underground the site in the heart of the Brisbane CBD.

Acting Premier Steven Miles said the government was committed to using the Olympic and Paralympic Games as an opportunity for long-term urban renewal that capitalises on major projects such as Cross River Rail.

“The Gabba redevelopment will connect pedestrians seamlessly to the new train and bus stations and provide access to a new mixed-use precinct featuring increased green space, retail and dining,” Mr Miles said.

“The Gabba precinct will be the epicentre of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and its legacy as a sporting, entertainment, retail and residential precinct will be lasting.”

Mr Miles said at least half of the Woolloongabba Cross River Rail precinct would be “open space”.

Acting Premier Steven Miles. Picture David Clark

Central station in the Brisbane CBD currently offers some retail opportunities.

When Cross River Rail opens, Central will be replaced by Roma Street station as the central hub where all services on the South East Queensland rail network will run through.

Under the shake-up of the rail services, the existing Gold Coast, Beenleigh, Caboolture, Sunshine Coast, and Redcliffe Peninsula lines will run through the new Woolloongabba and Albert Street stations.

Services that run between Rosewood, Ipswich, and Springfield through to Doomben, the Airport, and Shorncliffe will not use the new Cross River Rail stations.

Major construction on the project is set to be finished in 2024 with the first services to be up and running in 2025.

A cost analysis of Cross River Rail is underway to determine whether market impacts could push up the price tag of the project.

A private contribution of about $1.5bn has been put towards the project, while the state government has budgeted $5.4bn in funding.