New Cross River Rail station named Albert Street, despite strong support for Meanjin

The name of Brisbane’s new train station for the Cross River Rail has been revealed, with a popular suggestion rejected.

A render of the Albert St station for the Cross River Rail. The station has been named Albert Street. Picture: Supplied

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The name of Brisbane’s new train station for the Cross River Rail has been revealed, while a popular suggestion was not adopted due to cultural sensitivity reasons.

Brisbane CBD’s first new train station in more than 120 years will remain as Albert Street, after Queenslanders were given the opportunity to help name the new station.

While the names of all other stations being delivered through Cross River Rail have already been decided, the name of the station on Albert Street remained undecided as the thoroughfare is not as well-known as other streets within the city.

The four short-listed names for the station were Albert Street, Brisbane City, City Botanic Gardens, and Frog’s Hollow.

While there was support for all four short-listed names, this was surpassed by strong and passionate lobbying via hundreds of submissions for a name that included ‘Meanjin’.

Meanjin is a name often used to recognise Brisbane’s First Nation’s heritage and is used in the Turrbal language of one group of traditional owners.

A render of the Albert St station for the Cross River Rail. Picture: Supplied

The name means ‘place shaped as a spike’, in reference to how the Brisbane River straddles the land where the Brisbane CBD is located.

Consultation undertaken by the State Government with Traditional Owners has identified that there are differences in opinion over the spelling, provenance and pronunciation of any indigenous name for Brisbane, and until such time as this can be clarified the State Government feels it would be inappropriate to take the idea forward.

In a statement, Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish acknowledged the strong support for the name and the cultural sensitivity surrounding it.

“Thank you to the community for your suggestions in naming what will be a truly transformational underground station for our city,” he said.

“The public consultation process showed strong support for ‘Meanjin’ however given concerns raised by Traditional Owner groups, it is important we do not rush into any decision until we have clarity around the spelling.”

Recognising this sensitivity, the station name will be left as ‘Albert Street’ for now.

Albert Street Station is expected to open in 2026.

Originally published as New Cross River Rail station named Albert Street, despite strong support for Meanjin