Overview
Before the 1988 Brisbane Expo, South Bank didn't exist. That's how much the huge world event reshaped the city. And while that fact has been easy to forget over the years, a little upcoming spectacle called the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games is about to remind us how much can change when a place needs to accommodate festivities of an immense scale — with plenty of the Sunshine State's capital set to get a makeover.
Tearing down and rebuilding the Gabba is one such plan. Creating a new seven-hectare riverside parkland in South Brisbane is another. Getting us all zooming around via self-flying taxis is also on the list, and so is revamping and expanding Northshore Hamilton along an extra 1.2-kilometre stretch of the river.
Initially, that transformation across current industrial land along the river's northern edge is all about setting up the Brisbane Athlete Village for the Brisbane 2032 games, which has long been part of the Olympic and Paralympic planning. But once all the sporting contests are over, Brissie will score a new waterside precinct — well, a heftier version of an existing one.
Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister Assisting the Premier on Olympics Infrastructure Dr Steven Miles announced on Friday, October 28 that this part of Brisbane's Olympics makeover will be accelerated, with works in the Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area — aka that expanse by the river in Hamilton — being approved. To do so, the minister gave the go-ahead for a development scheme amendment, after consulting with the community about the proposal.
"An additional 1.2 kilometres of this prime waterfront location will be transformed into a vibrant, mixed-use precinct for the community," said the Deputy Premier in a statement.
"It will be one of the biggest contributions of Brisbane riverfront parkland since South Bank was established. A new commercial heart will be located along Macarthur Avenue to take advantage of increased foot traffic and maximise the invaluable new riverside parkland. This development will cement Northshore as a world-class lifestyle, recreation and events destination," Miles continued.
Expect big things — 304 hectares in area, in fact, which makes Northshore Hamilton Queensland's largest waterfront urban renewal precinct.
When the revamp is all done and up and running, it'll play host to shops, eateries, businesses, and places for entertainment and cultural activities. Hotels and markets have been floated for the precinct, too.
Also in the plan: more than 14,000 dwellings housing 24,000-plus residents. (During its tenure as the Athlete Village, it'll host 10,000-plus athletes and team officials for the Olympics, as well as 5000-plus for the Paralympics.)
Eat Street Northshore
Brisbane will host the 2032 Olympics from July 23–August 8, 2032. We'll update you with further information about the plans for Northshore Hamilton as they're announced.
Images: artists impressions, Queensland Government.