The Kelvin Grove Urban Village project has entered an exciting new phase with the search now on for private investors to share the vision of Australia's first master-planned precinct integrating education, residential, business, cultural and leisure activities in an inner-city location.Premier Peter Beattie, who officially launched the project today, said the Village would be built over the next six years and generate the equivalent of more than 4,500 jobs during construction.
"The Village is being developed by the Department of Housing in partnership with the Queensland University of Technology," Mr Beattie said.
"The aim is to create a mixed-use development on the former Gona Barracks site and surrounding land — covering around 17 hectares in total."
Mr Beattie said it would be a world-class example of inner-urban development, incorporating a range of housing options, educational and recreational facilities and commercial outlets.
"The Urban Village will offer remarkable opportunities for Brisbane people to live, work, learn and relax in one place," Mr Beattie said.
"It's another example of the 'Smart State' strategy at work. In around three years, people of all ages will be able to dine, relax, shop, learn and be entertained in an easily accessible place, just minutes from the centre of Brisbane.
"The site will be totally revitalised with the reuse of heritage buildings and the development of new facilities - adding great value to the area and bringing the 'Smart State' to life," he said.
Minister for Public Works and Housing, Robert Schwarten, said a major focus of the project would be the provision of a range of housing by private sector developers, community-based groups and the Department of Housing.
"The Urban Village will offer exciting new learning and living opportunities for visitors and residents. There will be various accommodation options to suit students, 'empty nesters', working couples, singles and families," Mr Schwarten said.
"It will also create a new benchmark in ecologically sustainable development with leading-edge features in the areas of energy efficiency, recycling, the environmental and IT.
"This initiative by the Queensland government and QUT clearly demonstrates how smart urban planning can create a community offering a distinct social experience and environment."
The Queensland University of Technology's new Creative Industries Precinct for 3,000 students will be a key component of the Urban Village. The Village will also feature a new, 400-seat theatre-in-the-round for Brisbane's La Boite Theatre.
Construction of the QUT Creative Industries Precinct is already under way with expected completion of the first facilities by early next year.
QUT Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dennis Gibson, said the Creative Industries Precinct was in line with Queensland's focus on developing a knowledge-based economy.
"Creativity will underpin the life of the Village. This home of creative arts and technology will provide research and development opportunities and a natural extension to the primary and secondary education available at local schools," Professor Gibson said.
The Creative Industries Precinct will also house the university's Creative Industries Research and Application Centre (CIRAC), the Creative Industries Enterprise Centre(CIEC), commercial tenants and co-locators such as designers, creative production companies, agents and media outlets.
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