Roma Street Parkland development plans revealed
When Queensland cabinet papers were released for the New Year’s Spectacular, secret plans to open what would become the Roma Street Parking Ground were abandoned for fear of public backlash.
The then administrative services minister, Glen Milliner, presented three options to the cabinet in February 1995; the most controversial one at the time—$42 million option C—was taken off the table.
At the time, the state-owned Roma Street railroad yard was an urban eyesore and remained virtually abandoned for nearly a decade after the railroad yard was moved to Acacia Ridge.
There were discussions about what to do with the site, including a new “super stadium” and, of course, turning it into parkland.
“This large, unused parcel of land in Brisbane city center presents a unique and significant opportunity for the future development of the city, particularly given the increasing trend of urban regeneration and inner-city redevelopment in Brisbane and across Australia,” Milliner told cabinet.
“With close design control and appropriate development management, the ultimate use of the site will deliver a solid economic return to the Government. In the long term, it will also provide a new city district that integrates with the commercial, social, residential and environmental character of the other components of the city.”
Option C would have entailed the “takeover” of Albert Park, which now forms the northern part of Roma Street Parkland, with residential buildings scattered across the site.
“[Option C] It provides quality residential areas on the College Road ridge and provides a buffer between proposed residential areas and ongoing rail operations,” Milliner said in his written submission to cabinet.
But Milliner acknowledged it would be a tough sell.
“It is difficult to see how this option could be put forward without a strong public outcry and a strong response from the government. [Brisbane City Council]”said Milliner.
“Although Albert Park is not currently well used, it forms an important part of the existing inner city open space ring as the ‘lungs of the CBD’ and future recreation space. With the redevelopment of the Roma Street Precinct, the park will be used extensively by residents.”
Milliner stated that all three options were deemed financially feasible, but only two were shared with stakeholders.
“Given the potential sensitivities surrounding the use of Albert Park, Option C has not been the subject of consultation outside the Central Agencies,” he told cabinet.
“There has only been formal communication with Brisbane City Council at officer level regarding Options A and B.”
Milliner hinted at why this was kept away from council.
“Mayor of Brisbane [Jim Soorley] has recently advocated for the use of the area as parkland and may therefore have some criticism of the proposed development concepts.
Milliner wrote that “preliminary consideration” had been made to convert the area into parkland, but it was not deemed economically viable and would result in a direct revenue loss of at least $16 million.
“There will also be significant direct costs associated with both the development and maintenance of the park,” he told Cabinet.
Eventually the cabinet decided to scrap option C altogether, and then-premier Wayne Goss would go to the July state election with a promise to turn the area into parkland without residential and commercial development.
Although Goss narrowly won that election, these plans were thwarted in December when Liberal candidate Frank Tanti won the Mundingburra by-election, handing the government to the Coalition led by Rob Borbidge.
Borbidge announced a new parkland on Roma Street in May 1998, but his short-lived government failed to deliver.
It was left to Labor prime minister Peter Beattie to deliver the inner-city parkland, which includes a residential area at its southern end.
“The inclusion of residential development will help Parkland become a vibrant urban area and will also provide incidental security and control in the area,” Beattie said in 2000.
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