Brisbane north developments to watch in 2021
From controversial housing projects to multibillion-dollar highway upgrades, here are six of the biggest Brisbane developments to watch in 2021.
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The face of the river city is changing as it struggles to accommodate a predicted population boom that will vastly increase the demand on roads, housing and facilities.
From controversial housing projects to multimillion dollar highway upgrades, here are the developments to watch in 2021.
BEAMS ROAD OVERPASS
Construction is expected to begin on the Beams Rd overpass at Carseldine this year, more than eight years after the scathing Deloitte Access Economics report called for urgent action.
The crossing became notorious for both safety and traffic hazards, as bumper to bumper congestion created significant delays and crashes along the busy stretch of road.
It will cost ratepayers $248 million to overhaul the intersection, with funding contributions of $50 million from the federal government and $128 million from the state government.
Residents can expect to see a new overpass bridge for Beams Rd, the removal of existing level crossing boom gates and new paths for walking and cycling.
Community consultation finished in October and the Department of Main Roads is currently undertaking the business case to determine the preferred option, advance the design, quantify the project benefits and confirm the project’s cost estimates.
The business case is expected to be completed early 2021, with construction expected to begin later in the year, according to Transport Minister Mark Bailey.
The upgrades will integrate with the Carseldine Station park’n’ride upgrade and the controversial Carseldine Urban Village development.
CARSELDINE VILLAGE
Construction of the $8.9 million state-of-the-art residential living project in Carseldine was fast-tracked in April to help buoy the construction industry in the wake of COVID closures.
Civil contracting company Shadforth began work on the 53 terrace lots shortly after, and civil and electrical components commenced in August.
The first stage of the development is expected to be completed some time in 2021 and will include both the terrace-style lots as well as roadworks to upgrade three intersections in proximity to the site, to facilitate safer access to the village and improve local traffic movements.
The project proved to be a contentious state election issue as the Liberal National Party claimed the planning approval did not meet requirements for existing planning benchmarks around vegetation management, koala habitat, biodiversity, acid sulfate soils and a waterway corridor.
As the redevelopment site, formerly a QUT campus, has been declared a Priority Development Area, the Planning Act does not apply.
DEAGON RACECOURSE UPGRADE
The redevelopment of the Deagon Racecourse could have a transformative effect on Brisbane’s north by creating a state-of-the-art equine, entertainment and shopping precinct that could attract upwards of 900 construction jobs.
The upgrade remains in the master planning stage of development and RQ has been working closely with the Brisbane City Council to ensure its inclusion in the forthcoming Sandgate District Neighbourhood Plan update, slated to be released early this year.
Should the development get the green light, the region could become home to large scale stabling, a state training centre, sporting facilities, community farm and a retail precinct, with up to 60 new racing jobs to be available on an ongoing basis.
CHERMSIDE’S FIRST HOTEL SUITES
Thus far, visitors seeking short-term accommodation in north Brisbane have been relegated to self-contained apartments or bookings near the CBD or airport.
Should the proposal be approved by the Brisbane City Council, it would see three houses torn down to build an eight-storey 148 room hotel at 523 Hamilton Rd.
A number of facilities are featured in the development plans, including a cafe, function spaces, pool, gym, a lush rooftop recreation space and a manager’s office.
The first development application submitted in October required several changes to be made.
In their response to council on December 23, Mewing stated it had worked with Prince Charles Hospital to further tailor the suites to suit hospital patients and visitors, reducing the number of rooms from 173 to 148 and the corresponding car spaces from 69 to 62.
The council is expected to deliver its decision early this year.
PRINCE CHARLES HOSPITAL UPGRADE
Plans to expand the emergency services department at the Prince Charles Hospital in Chermside were fast tracked by the announcement of an additional $3 million of state government funding in October, just one month before the state government election.
Deputy Premier and Minister Health Steven Miles said the upgrade would “future proof” north Brisbane against the needs of its growing population.
The expansion will provide a much-needed boost to the hospital’s short-stay capacity, allowing for additional beds to accommodate both adults and children.
Surgery capacity is also expected to be improved, with a particular focus on the specialist cardiac services the hospital has become known for.
Construction is expected to begin this year.
$2.1 BILLION HIGHWAY UPGRADES
Early planning has begun to upgrade the Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway between north Brisbane and the Moreton Bay region to tackle growing commuter congestion.
The upgrade will include a $2.1 billion Interchange Redesign & New Arterial Road project across the North Pine River and into Brisbane’s north, creating a new ‘Moreton Connector’ between Dohles Rocks Road at Murrumba Downs and Anzac Ave at Mango Hill, which was previously known as the North – South Urban Arterial (NSUA).
Mark Bailey, Transport and Main Roads Minister outlined that both levels of government had locked funding into future budgets for the north side upgrades.
“The Gateway Motorway, Bruce Highway and Gympie Road in this part of Brisbane’s outer northern suburbs collectively carry about 310,000 vehicles a day,” he said in an earlier statement.
“That’s 100,000 more vehicles a day than on the busiest section of the M1, so it’s clear a plan is needed for new roads and major upgrades there.”
The business case is due to be finalised in 2023, ahead of a predicted 50 per cent traffic increase by 2041.
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