22 December 2009
Premier Anna Bligh today released the first images of the planned new Brisbane headquarters for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in the heart of South Bank.
The ABC radio and television facilities, and the Queensland Symphony Orchestra (QSO), will re-locate to a site at the corner of Grey and Russell Streets, between the Queensland Performing Arts Centre and Griffith University's Queensland Conservatorium of Music, by early 2012.
"The ABC is a national icon moving to an iconic location," Ms Bligh said.
"South Bank is Queensland's cultural hub. So it is fitting that the ABC, as the nation's public broadcaster, will be located in Brisbane's premier precinct."
The move offers long-term creative and commercial synergies for arts and educational institutions at South Bank with the co-location alongside QPAC, the Conservatorium of Music as well as the College of Art and School of Film and Television, also within the Griffith University's South Bank campus.
The facility is planned as a dynamic, multi-purpose media space for the ABC's operations as well as the Queensland Symphony Orchestra.
South Bank Corporation Chairman Steve Wilson said the ABC's move to South Bank was an exciting step in the ongoing evolution of the precinct.
"We are thrilled to have the ABC move to South Bank and there will be many benefits for our precinct partners," Mr Wilson said.
"The co-location of the ABC and the Queensland Orchestra will especially create exciting opportunities for Griffith's students who may choose to pursue a career with either organisation.
"Both the ABC and the QSO will attract new audiences to South Bank which will benefit our arts institutions and local businesses."
ABC Managing Director Mark Scott said the new location would bring the organisation back together after almost two years split across several sites.
"We are delighted to have settled on the best location for our Brisbane headquarters - one that meets all of our needs and provides our team of more than 400," Mr Scott said.
"This is a significant step for the ABC and will enable us to reinvigorate our Brisbane operations. We are targeting the highest environmental standards in the design of the building with a focus on the indoor environment quality."
Construction on the ABC's building is anticipated to start in early 2010 with completion set for late 2011/early 2012.
Ms Bligh also today unveiled the design of the new South Bank Boardwalk site, which will see new, high quality riverfront open space being delivered to the people of Queensland.
"This delivers on our government's commitment to provide new and high quality public spaces for Queenslanders."
Ms Bligh said the new boardwalk development would deliver 70 metres of prime riverfront as a landscaped lawn area, 1800 square metres of open space, a children's playground and improved pathways for pedestrians and cyclists connecting the Goodwill Bridge and Clem Jones Promenade.
The Boardwalk project is South Bank Corporation's first down payment on its public commitment to offset the green space which will be lost to the new ABC headquarters.
South Bank Corporation Chief Executive Officer Malcolm Snow said the quality of the open space on the Boardwalk site is far superior to the green space on the ABC site, which has been underutilised.
"The Boardwalk project is expected to begin in February 2010 and we have significantly reduced the level of commercial development on the site to ensure that our visitors can enjoy new quality green space," he said.
"The bold design by award winning Brisbane architects Arkhefield and landscape architects Cardno S.P.L.A.T will feature six quality waterfront restaurants and cafés as well as a new innovative playground for children.
"With the booming Brisbane population, it's important to retain high quality open spaces and places for the public to come together, relax and enjoy. We recognise that public open space is important to our visitors and we will continue to focus on listening to their needs and delivering a world class urban precinct."
Media Enquiries:
Susie Johnson
General-Manager, Marketing
Telephone 07 3867 2010
Facsimile 07 3844 9436
Mobile 0403 246 059
Susie [dot] johnson [at] south-bank [dot] net [dot] au
