Work to transform Gona Barracks and its surrounds into an international model for inner-city living is expected to start early next year, Premier Peter Beattie announced today."We will be building something very special in and around the Gona Barracks site at Kelvin Grove," Mr Beattie said.
"The State Government and QUT land in the area will be developed into Kelvin Grove Urban Village, combining public and private housing, commercial opportunities, education and research activities as well as recreational outlets and open spaces.
"This will become an international model for inner and near-city developments."
The Premier also announced a public "open day" tomorrow (Saturday, November 28) at the Gona Barracks site where a draft master plan for the site would be on display.
"The open day - from 3.00 pm to 5.00 pm - will enable people to walk on the site, view the draft master plan and provide feedback," Mr Beattie said.
"It is part of an extensive consultation process that has already involved local residents, community groups, professional bodies, nearby schools, the Brisbane City Council and State Government agencies. The consultation period ends on November 8 after which a final master plan for the site will be developed before the end of the year."
Gona Barracks was used by the Royal Australian Army from 1910 to 1998.
The site was purchased by the State Government earlier this year following successful negotiations by Minister for Housing, Robert Schwarten.
"This deal has given us a once-in-a-century opportunity to develop about 17 hectares of land close to the CBD, linked to existing services, within walking distance of major open spaces including the Roma Street Parkland, and next to a major university," Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said he expected State Cabinet would consider a submission early in 2001 to: endorse the master plan for the urban village, establish a timetable for development, including the timing of expressions of interest from the private sector for housing or commercial components, and formalise an agreement with QUT for development of a creative industries precinct which built on the university's information technology skills and reinforced the government's Smart State Strategy.
Mr Beattie said the Kelvin Grove Urban Village project reinforced several of the state government's key priorities, including:
providing leadership by developing opportunities for private sector involvement, delivering more jobs through development and construction work, providing a better quality of life through the provision of affordable housing by the Department of Housing and private housing developments, building safer and supportive communities by following CPTED design principles (crime prevention through environmental design) to deliver a village "Main Street" and surrounding streets that were active areas, with pedestrian, cycle, public transport and slow-moving car access, valuing the environment by recognising the cultural and heritage values of the site, and building a Smart State by incorporating a creative industries precinct based on the information technology skills of QUT.
The 8.2-hectare Gona Barracks site plus other land under the control of the Department of Housing means the State Government has almost 11 hectares of land in the proposed village precinct.
QUT land involved in the project is in the order of 4.5 hectares.
BCC land in the village precinct (McCaskie Park) covers almost two hectares.
Further information: Ron Watson 0408 779 311
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