The Queensland government has unveiled the newest concept images yet of their plans for the Victoria Park precinct, seeking to assuage concerns over the loss of parkland, but raising questions about the price, timeline and overall feasibility of the project as it has been presented.
These fresh images reveal wetlands, public spaces and, crucially, two pedestrian bridges which will cross Brisbane’s bisy Inner City Bypass, linking the Brisbane Stadium with the National Aquatic Centre, Exhibition Station and the Brisbane Showgrounds, which will be reimagined as the athlete’s village.
This draft of the project emphasises the retention of two-thirds of Victoria Park as green space, and proposes the conversion of old sporting fields into part of York’s Hollow wetland as well as a new amphitheatre near the stadium.
However, critics are saying the plan is unrealistic, overlooking important details such as the need for carparks and other transport links, not to mention that the pedestrian bridges bridges and expanded parkland are not within the promised $7.1 billon venue infrastructure envelope, making it likely that the project will exceed the proposed cost.
The true price tag for the precinct will not be revealed until after a public consultation, which is now open and will run for the next two months. You can have your say here.
For their part, the government insists that it can deliver and stay within budget, pointing to the legacy from Expo 88 as proof that projects shouldn’t be judged before they begin.
What do you think?
