The largest city-based excavation project in Queensland’s history has commenced with a sod-turning ceremony to break ground for the new $3 billion world-class Queen’s Wharf Brisbane integrated resort.
Around 450,000m3 of material will be removed over the next two years, which will then be followed by foundation work to construct five basement levels with car parking to service the tourism, entertainment, and resort development that is set to transform the CBD.
Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, joined The Star Entertainment Group Chairman John O’Neill AO, also chair of the Destination Brisbane Consortium joint venture, to mark the milestone event.
“Queen’s Wharf Brisbane will be a truly spectacular and game-changing development for the city, and for Queensland,” Mr O’Neill said.
“It will be Australia’s best integrated resort, a world-class destination competitive with anything on offer in the Asia Pacific region, to attract domestic and international visitors who will contribute substantially to the Queensland economy.
“Queen’s Wharf Brisbane will bring significant economic benefits with 2000 jobs during peak construction and 8000 roles once the precinct is operational.
“With our Hong Kong partners, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises and Far East Consortium, we are very confident in the tourism outlook for south-east Queensland.
“Together, we have projects and plans in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast which represent nearly a third of the total $14 billion of Queensland tourism infrastructure projects in the pipeline between now and 2022.
“When complete, Queen’s Wharf Brisbane will feature five new hotels; 50 new restaurants, bars and cafes; 12 football fields of public space; an upgraded bikeway; a new pedestrian bridge; a 1500-seat ballroom; an open-air cinema; lots of new green space and open areas; and a new world-class casino to replace Brisbane’s existing one.
“However, there is much to be done before the expected opening in 2022 and we’re excited that our project team and appointed contractor can now begin the next phase – excavation – following demolition works and the State Government’s approval of our Plan of Development.”
Also joining the sod-turning event today were: Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development and Minister for the Commonwealth Games, Kate Jones; Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning, Cameron Dick; and Minister for Education and Minister for Industrial Relations, Grace Grace, whose McConnel electorate includes the Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct.
Destination Brisbane Consortium Project Director Simon Crooks said the basement excavation will provide thousands of car parks once complete, offering direct access to the world-class precinct.
“We are pleased to reach this next stage of piling and excavation after 12 months of demolition work,” Mr Crooks said.
“The excavation pit will be dug where the Executive Building, 80A George St building, and the Neville Bonner Building used to be, and underneath the section of William Street between those previous government sites.
“The perimeter of the pit will be more than half a kilometre and at its deepest point will be 26 metres below George Street.
“Later this year we expect to go to tender for the next immediate phase of the project – construction – as we will need to start on foundations at the bottom of the excavation pit in order to build the five basement level structures for thousands of cars to park at our integrated resort.
“Throughout excavation, and all phases of this project, the priority for us is working closely with our appointed contractor to reinforce our stringent safety standards, as well as minimising disruption for Brisbane commuters, cyclists, pedestrians, and inner-city residents.
“We look forward to continuing to update near neighbours, the community and all who are interested in this development through our community engagement program which includes free e-news and construction notices, which people can subscribe to receive from our website.”
Mr O’Neill said recent findings from CSIRO research, commissioned by the Queensland Futures Institute and The Star Entertainment Group last year, showed tourism was an emerging area of economic opportunity for the state.
“The CSIRO report said Queensland has ‘got what future Asia wants’,” Mr O’Neill said.
“The number of Chinese visitors to Australia alone is forecast to increase threefold to 3.9 million by 2026.
“However, it also reinforced that the tourism sector cannot be complacent and significant, ongoing investment is required.
“Queensland needs more hotel rooms, increased transport options, and a broader hospitality labour market just to cater for the expected increase in Asian visitation.
“We also need authentic, varied, and most importantly, quality offerings to differentiate this state and country from the rest of the world.
“That takes investor confidence – and it also creates jobs – and along with our Hong Kong partners we hope to continue to be part of a broader evolution of Queensland’s tourism sector, now and in the future.”
To learn more about Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, visit www.queenswharfbrisbane.com.au and/or our Facebook page www.facebook.com/queenswharfbrisbane/.
Picture: L to R The Star Entertainment Group (TSEG) Managing Director QLD Geoff Hogg, The Hon Cameron Dick MP, The Hon Kate Jones MP, Premier The Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk MP, TSEG Chairman John O’Neil AO, and Destination Brisbane Consortium Project Director Simon Crooks.
