Queen's Wharf Brisbane

Queen's Wharf Brisbane is a $3.6 billion Integrated Resort Development project that will put Brisbane firmly on the map as a global tourism, leisure and entertainment destination.

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Project overview

On Monday 16 November 2015 the Queensland Government reached contractual close on the project, representing a key aspect of the final stage of the procurement process.

Destination Brisbane Consortium (DBC), a joint venture led by The Star Entertainment Group (formerly Echo Entertainment Group) and their Hong Kong based partners Far East Consortium and Chow Tai Fook Enterprises is now the contractor responsible for delivering the world-class tourism precinct in the heart of the Brisbane CBD.

The Queensland Government is working in partnership with DBC to deliver economic growth for Queensland with the creation of more than 2,000 jobs during peak construction and 8,000 jobs when the Integrated Resort Development (IRD) is operational in the first half of 2023.

Showcasing Brisbane to the world

The revitalised precinct will provide improved facilities for everyday use and public events to showcase Brisbane to locals and interstate and international visitors.

The Queen's Wharf Brisbane (QWB) precinct marks where European settlement of Brisbane started over 190 years ago. The Queen's Wharf Brisbane area will become a hub that connects parts of the city, including the Botanic Gardens, the Queen Street Mall, the Cultural Precinct, South Bank, the Parliamentary Precinct and the Brisbane River.

The redevelopment area is state-owned land and is located between the Brisbane River and George Street and between Alice and Queen streets. The area contains heritage buildings, former government buildings and neglected riverfront land under the Riverside Expressway.

QWB offers a unique and vibrant new world city that attracts visitors and investment, reconnects the activity of the CBD to the river, preserves and celebrates Brisbane's heritage, and delivers high quality public spaces.

Queen's Wharf Brisbane will:

  • become an internationally recognised precinct with world class sustainable urban design and architecture that establishes an identity that is uniquely 'Brisbane' and 'Queensland'
  • stimulate broad investment and economic development in the long-term future of Brisbane as a new world city, focusing on tourism and construction
  • redefine public access and transport connections into, through and around the CBD - from bridge to bridge and river to ridge
  • transform and activate places and spaces that draw people to the origin of Brisbane
  • promote social interaction and a broad range of urban activities from the city centre down to the river's edge

Benefits

  • Deliver $3.6 billion project to transform Brisbane

  • Support 10,000 jobs across multiple industries

  • Inject $11.01 billion to the Gross State Product*

World-class tourism benefits

  • Public space and public realm
    • more than 12 football fields of redeveloped and enhanced public realm
    • a new pedestrian bridge to South Bank, Neville Bonner Bridge
    • an iconic signature 'Arc' building, including a spectacular feature Sky Deck (from a height of more than 100 metres), with restaurants and bars fully accessible to the public
  • A moonlight cinema
  • High-end retail precincts
  • Hotels and residential
    • four new luxury hotels
    • two residential towers
    • one commercial tower
    • more than 1000 premier hotel rooms
    • approximately 1500 residential apartments.
  • Heritage buildings and places
    • restoring and activating eleven heritage buildings and places
  • Dining
    • around 50 new restaurants, cafes and bars
  • Education and job opportunities
    • provide around 2,000 jobs during peak construction
    • provide around 8,000 jobs once operational
    • a Queensland Hotel and Hospitality School partnership with TAFE Queensland
  • World-class gaming facilities
  • Investment and economics benefits
    • $272 million payments to the State
    • a guarantee of $880 million in casino taxes for the first ten years of operations
    • $1.69 billion annual increase in tourism
    • $1.39 million additional tourists per annum
    • $11.01 billion to the Gross State Product*

*Cadence Economics - June 2016

Frequently asked questions

  • Queen's Wharf Brisbane is a five to seven year demolition and construction project.

    The Queensland Government along with Destination Brisbane Consortium will continue to engage and provide information to businesses and the community as the development progresses.

    The developer’s website has information on employment and ICN/Tender/Supplier opportunities.

    To keep up to date, subscribe to the developer’s construction updates and monthly newsletter by clicking “stay informed” on
    the developer’s websiteor follow the Queen's Wharf Brisbane Facebook page.

  • During QWB’s construction phase (approximately 2017 to 2023) the Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) believes that a large number of other professions will benefit from the project including the retail trade, education, health, community services, wholesale, tourism, hospitality and professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, technical, legal, accounting, advertising, management and consulting).

  • No heritage building in the precinct is being demolished. All heritage buildings and places will be retained, revitalised and reactivated helping to bring the new precinct to life. Greater access will be established for the community to these wonderful spaces and will include a blend of historic and contemporary architecture.

    When the Integrated Resort Development is operational, the heritage buildings and places will feature strongly within the development through their conversion into cultural, retail, dining, hotel entertainment and tourism spaces.

  • No, Brisbane's existing Treasury Casino will close and be replaced by a new-purpose built facility expected to open in the first half of 2023.

Timeline

2020

Completion of IRD basement to ground level

Construction of the Neville Bonner Bridge and IRD building structures commenced

2021

IRD building structures taking shape

Works on Heritage buildings commenced

2022

Completion of the Neville Bonner Bridge

2023

Expected staggered opening of the IRD including hotels, Heritage Buildings and Public Realm areas

Commence Treasury Precinct conversion

Completed milestones

2012

  • May: Announcement of the Government Precinct Redevelopment (now QWB)

2014

  • January: Registration of interest
  • March: Expression of interest
  • July to October: Request for detailed proposals
  • November to July 2015: Assessment and contract negotiation with the final two proponents

2015

  • July: DBC announced as the preferred proponent for QWB
  • November: Queensland Government and the DBC reach contractual close.

2016

  • Preliminary site investigation works.

2017

  • Vacant possession of the precinct granted for DBC to access the site, decommission and demolish non-heritage buildings.

2018

  • Basement excavation begins
  • Commencement of Waterline Park and Mangrove Walk.

2019

  • Waterline Park and Mangrove Walk completed and opened
  • Marine works and construction of The Landing along river edge commence
  • Excavation works completed and IRD basement works commence.

2020

  • IRD basement works completed
  • Podium construction and tower cores commence
  • Neville Bonner Bridge works commence.

2021

  • Public Realm Riverline works and Heritage Buildings’ restoration commence
  • Successful closure of the Riverside Expressway for the installation of the Neville Bonner Bridge span

Artist impressions

Further information

Community engagement
The Queensland Government has conducted extensive public consultation on Queen’s Wharf Brisbane since May 2013. You can read about how we conducted the consultation and a history of our activities from 2013 to today.

Plan of development
Read about what a plan of development is, who is delivering the development and construction details.

Heritage and public spaces
How is the development planning to preserve, re-purpose and celebrate Brisbane's eleven heritage buildings and places located in the precinct.

Probity and gaming
Probity Code of Practice and gaming specifics for the integration of a Casino as part the development.

Transport
Road closures, parking changes and disruptions to walking and cycling paths.

Construction updates
Keep up to date with the latest construction activity at the development site.

Queen's Wharf Brisbane overview
Overview of the development with a timeline, economic impacts and benefits.

Queen's Whaft Brisbane: Green Star Community
Delivery of a 6-Star Green Star Communities precinct.

Note: The fact sheets’ details and dates are subject to change.

Last updated: 22 Jun 2022

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