Pre-Construction Works Begin in Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Precinct

Preliminary site investigation works for the multi-billion dollar Queen’s Wharf Brisbane Integrated Resort Development have begun, Destination Brisbane Consortium announced today.

Consortium partner, The Star Entertainment Group, joined Queensland’s Minister for State Development Dr Anthony Lynham to view the first geotechnical drilling area under the Riverside Expressway.

The Star Entertainment Group CEO, Matt Bekier, said the early stage pre-construction works will occur throughout the riverfront area during 2016.

“These works will help us understand the ground conditions throughout the precinct, and inform the detailed design work that we will do this year before demolition and construction activities are expected to start in 2017,” Mr Bekier said.

“Preliminary investigations will continue throughout 2016 and include marine ecological surveys and thorough internal heritage-building inspections.”

While the geotechnical testing is only a small scale activity, they are important works ahead of the project starting next year.

“We are all looking forward to construction starting in 2017, and this activity puts us one step closer,” Mr Bekier said.

“The soil samples taken during this testing process will inform the engineering aspects of detailed design and how we manage future construction activities.”

The Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct marks the original site of European settlement in Brisbane more than 190 years ago. The area runs from the edge of the Brisbane River up to George Street, incorporating the city blocks running north to south from Queen Street to Alice Street.

Mr Bekier said the Integrated Resort Development expects to attract 1.39 million additional tourists per year to Brisbane.

“Our development will be an asset for this state that will compete with anything in Macau, Singapore or other destinations around the world. We look forward to progressing a development of which the people of Brisbane will be immensely proud, and that will deliver substantial economic and other benefits for Queensland,” Mr Bekier said.

The development will provide:

• 12 football fields of enhanced public open space
• a new pedestrian bridge from the CBD to South Bank
• 50 new restaurants and bars
• approximately 1100 additional hotel rooms
• 2000 residential apartments
• reactivation of some of the city’s most significant heritage buildings
• more than 2000 construction jobs and 8000 operational jobs.

The preliminary investigation works are a normal pre-construction activity. The geotechnical drilling is expected to continue throughout February. Much of the testing will occur of a night, but will not require road closures. Road and pedestrian traffic management will be in place at all times.

Pedestrians in the area are urged be mindful of any changed conditions and to be aware of and follow safety-related signage.

The bulk of preliminary works will be undertaken by local firms including:

• Bennett + Bennett – one of Queensland’s largest surveying and planning firms
• Butler Partners – a Brisbane-based geotechnical, geo-environmental and groundwater consultancy with years of experience working in the Brisbane CBD.

The timeline for the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development is:

2017 

Anticipated start of construction activities following completion of 1WS

Likely activities include the removal of non-heritage buildings, then start of underground car park construction

2018 

Commence foundations for core development area

2019 

Foundations, car park completed
Heritage work commences

2020

Core development starts to take shape as construction progresses above ground

2021 

Internal fit out commences of IRD buildings

2022

Opening of core integrated resort including hotels and all public realm areas.
Conversion begins of Treasury building and beneath Queens Gardens to create a retail zone that links Queen Street Mall to the heart of the precinct.

2024

Anticipated opening of the repurposed Treasury building.

For more information: 

Peter Jenkins
Head of Media and Communications, The Star Entertainment Group +61 439 015 292

Alison Smith
General Manager Corporate Affairs – Queensland, The Star Entertainment Group +61 438 787 038