The Queensland Government has declared a Priority Development Area (PDA) as part of the Cross River Rail Project, which will move forward the development of the new underground Albert Street Station.
Queensland Deputy Premier and Treasurer, Jackie Trad, said the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail will unlock the bottleneck at the core of the transport network allowing more trains to run more often by enabling a world-class turn-up-and-go transport network with benefits across the whole of South East Queensland.
“Albert Street will be the first CBD station built in 120 years and will dramatically improve connectivity to the southern part of the CBD, opening new access routes to city attractions and key business precincts.”
Acting Planning Minister, Stirling Hinchliffe, said the change would cut red tape for the delivery of the station.
“The PDA covers two land areas on the corner of Albert and Mary Streets in Brisbane’s CBD with an Interim Land Use Plan to be in place while a development scheme is prepared for the site,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“This is another step towards construction and provides the eventual contractors and the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority with the necessary powers to deliver the station and surrounding areas.”
Member for McConnel, Grace Grace, said Cross River Rail was a game-changer for her community.
“This new station fundamentally changes how people will move around the City with the project to support Council’s plans for a green spine which would run along Albert Street connecting Roma Street Parklands through to the City Botanic Gardens,” Ms Grace said.
“The station will become the main pedestrian feeder point for Queen Street Mall, QUT’s Gardens Point campus, the Parliamentary precinct, the new Queen’s Wharf Brisbane development and an upgraded Eagle Street business district.
“The community will have an opportunity to comment on the proposed development scheme for the Albert Street PDA when it is publicly notified during 2019.”
