With more than 1200 public submissions opposing redevelopment plans for the Brisbane River pouring into the Queensland Government’s mailroom, Anna Bligh is apparently still not getting the message.
Brisbane citizens do not want the proposed North Bank.
As yesterday marked the deadline for the public to submit their views on the $1.5 billion proposal, academics, architects, and residents are practically falling over themselves to tell the Government why the riverside development should not go ahead.
Earlier this year, University of Queensland Associate Professor and award-winning architect Peter Skinner described the project as an unwelcome intrusion on the river and that development company Multiplex was treating the river like a “vacant lot”.
In a city ravaged by roadwork’s, eyesore sky scrapers, and more half built tunnels and bridges than one can keep track of , the Brisbane River is one of the city’s defining landmarks. The plans include covering a wide stretch of the river under seven high-rise buildings.
Even back in June last year, National Trust of Queensland executive director Stewart Armstrong opposed the plans. He said North Bank would severe the historical links between Brisbane’s CBD and the river. The Queen’s Wharf and Commissariat Store, built in 1829 using convict labour, is among the sites set to be replaced by high rises.
With so much history at stake, Brisbane is under serious threat of becoming a faceless city, lacking character but boasting enough ugly modern developments to rival the most over-developed and under- appreciated cities around the world.
Liam Parsons
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I completely agree with you. Yes, Queensland's population is booming - 1500 people are moving here per week to be specific, but it seems Queensland's population boom and growth in recent years has pushed the Government into thinking they need to develop Brisbane as much as possible to keep up - regardless of what important cultural, historical or environmental factors are at stake.
I highly doubt the need for the new North Bank development outweighs the need for the preservation of Brisbane’s landmark river – especially when it’s only for the construction of seven high rise buildings. Brisbane plans on expanding its CBD into Fortitude Valley anyway, so let’s leave the high rises for dirty concrete and keep the river for all to enjoy.
Yes, we need more infrastructure to cope with the boom but in some cases, we need to remember that less is more.
By Tys van der Drift
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