Property group, Dexus have been given the green light by the Palaszczuk Government to progress to the next stage of a huge proposal to transform the Eagle Street Pier area, reports brisbanedevelopment.com.

The development is now in the second of four stages in the State Development Market-Led Proposals (MLP) framework.

The current plans for the Waterfront Precinct would see up to 1.5 hectares of open riverside and public space, two towers on the Eagle Street Pier site which will have mixed-use potential including, commercial, residential, retail and a hotel. Dexus say “the Waterfront Precinct is a unique opportunity to transform Brisbane’s Eagle Street and surrounds into a leading premium business and leisure destination in the heart of the CBD.”

Minister for State Development, Manufacturing, Infrastructure and Planning Cameron Dick says the government will be supporting the proposal as Eagle Street Pier is such an important location in Brisbane, and the job creation on-flow is a key factor as the project is estimated to sustain around 740 jobs annually for the duration of construction.

“Should this project reach final approval, this will be a city-shaping development – a world-class mixed-use riverside precinct with public space at its heart,” Mr Dick said.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said Brisbane City Council echoes the support of the State Government, as they “recognise the many economic, lifestyle and leisure opportunities such a project would bring to our New World City.” 

“The proposal is a vote of confidence in Brisbane as a place to do business and reinforces our attraction as a tourist destination,” he said.

The next step in the process is for Dexus is to work with Translink and the Brisbane City Council to deem the feasibility of the proposed development.

An article in The Australian by journalist Ben Wilmont states that the Dexus group have $4.2 billion worth of projects in the pipeline as the “property cycle is running hot.” Dexus Chief Executive, Darren Steinberg said the company has 85% of assets in Australia, and the world was “just one-third through a 100-year cycle of urbanisation.”

Dexus Executive General Manager Ross Du Vent said "In terms of urban place making we think this will be one of the top developments globally."

Hannah Schuhmann said this is an exciting proposal, especially for the ‘Felix’ apartment building, which is in an ultra prime position to take advantage of both the residential accommodation that will be needed for workers during the construction phase, and for residents to utilise this spectacular “Darling Harbour feel” development which will be of global standard upon completion.

Brisbane City is set to be graced with a new five-star hotel, with the opening of the ‘W Brisbane’ scheduled for the 1^st of June this year, reports travelweek.com.au.

The property will be located at 81 North Quay and will feature 312 stylish guest rooms, 1,110 square metres of event space and meeting rooms, three bars and restaurants, plus all of the bells and whistles associated with five-start luxury.

In an exciting partnership, upcoming restaurateurs, Three Blue Ducks have been given the esteemed title of the signature restaurant within the establishment. Three Blue Ducks “started with three good mates travelling the world, cultivating ideas around a better, more sustainable approach to living. Somewhere there, in a shared belief in good ethical food.”The business already has establishments in Bronte, Byron Bay & Roseberry.  

The W brand’s distinct ‘Whatever/Whenever’ service policy is sure to impress, with guests able to have access to whatever they want, whenever they want (within the confines of the law).

The property, which is a segment of the Shayher Group’s $1 billion multi-use Brisbane Quarter, will occupy prime real estate in the centre of the CBD, walking distance to The Myer Centre, Treasury Casino and Brisbane City Hall. CBD retail and hospitality businesses will surely benefit from the high class patrons, events and weddings the hotel will attract.  

The iconic brand, which is part of the Marriott International hotel portfolio, has 80 resorts all over the globe, and is set to lure guests from far and wide.

In a major win for Queensland, the state has won the contract to build $5 billion worth of defence vehicles as part of the most substantial Australian Army purchase in history, reports abc.net.au.

Appointed to the build the 211 light armoured vehicles in a new facility in Ipswich is German contractor, Rheinmetall. The project is estimated to create 330 jobs in Queensland, 170 in Victoria, and 140 in NSW.

Defence Industry Minister Christopher Pyne said Australian businesses are set to be the big winners in Queensland and Victoria, but the effects will be felt Australia-wide. In the past vehicles would have been imported from overseas, but with this deal, 54% of the acquisition will be value to the Australian economy.

"And of course, most importantly, we're providing the capability the Defence Force needs to be a modern army meeting the challenges that we may face at some stage in the future."

"The Army will get a very lethal and protected vehicle to look after our soldiers," said Mr Pyne.

Speaking at the Enoggera Army Barracks this morning, Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said this was the single-largest purchase made for the Australian Army.

"As one of the troopers said to me just a moment ago, this is about lethality and survivability. This is about capability and protection," he said.

"This is about Australia's security. But it's not simply or solely about capability in a military sense.

"It is about ensuring that we have, for the first time, a fully integrated national sovereign defence industry."

The type of vehicle that will be developed is the ‘Boxer CRV,’ which surpassed a three-year tender and rigorous testing phase. Defence Minister Marise Payne said vehicles were challenged in climates of heat, cold, wet, and dry. They had been shot at, along with attempts to blow them up.

"The outcome of that assessment is that this has the capability to provide the mobility, the lethality and the protection that will support the men and women of the ADF in doing the job that we ask them to do every day."

The total cost of buying and maintaining the vehicles over their expected 30-year life is estimated at $15.7 billion.

The procurement will also see improvements to military facilities at Puckapunyal, Bandiana, Adelaide, Townsville, and Enoggera.

Queensland's State Development Minister, Cameron Dick, said "It is a new beginning for manufacturing in Queensland."

Mr Dick indicated the big win for Queensland will deliver over 600 jobs for the state over the next ten years, a direct benefit of $1 billion to the economy, and the potential for Queensland to become a manufacturing base to win more contracts in the future. 

A development application submitted by State Government owned Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC) shows plans to construct a new 39-story tower at 54 Mary Street, and refurbish three existing commercial towers at 111 George, 33 Charlotte and 54 Mary Street, reports brisbanedevelopment.com.

The proposed plans outline the new commercial tower will include 38,000 square metres of net lettable area, with the ‘whole of site’ development to create a pedestrian-orientated ground floor environment. A new runway linking Mary to Charlotte Street would include twelve retail tenancies plus another seven retail tenancies intended for the integrated office precinct.

The development application states the vision for the project is to “provide an active and vibrant commercial precinct catering for modern tenant services and amenities and complementary retail offerings leveraging off the nearby Queens Wharf Development and the increasing inner-city population.”

The development site is in a prime location to leverage off new developments such as Queen’s Wharf and the new Underground Cross River Rail Station on Albert Street.

Other features of the proposal include:

• New retail area totally 1,085 square metres across the ground level, podium level, and level 1.
• Pedestrian seating areas at frontages along with landscaping
• Reduction and consolidation of some existing vehicle cross overs, which will include expansion and internal reconfiguration of existing basement levels and a new vehicle crossover on Mary Street
• Establishment of a basement end-of-trip facility
• Expanded and new use of ground and plaza levels including commercial offices, food and beverage, potential of child card facility, grocery store, medical and conference facilities.

The Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning suggest that by 2031, Brisbane Inner City (SA4 region) could be home to over 300,800 people, an average increase of 1.3% each year between 2011-2031. This predicted figure would equate to 4.6% of the Queensland population. 

Major events throughout 2017 have played a significant part in the strongest growth in international passenger numbers through Brisbane Airport in nearly ten years, reports Brisbane Airport Corporation.

Events such as the State of Origin, Battle of Brisbane, concerts and festivals have not only brought more international guests to the state, they have also boosted the profile of the city.  Along with new flights, airlines and more global destinations, this has contributed to a nearly 7 percent year on year growth of international passenger movements.  International passenger numbers grew to 5.8 million, with an increase of 372,300 travellers during the twelve months.

Julieanne Alroe, Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC) CEO and Managing Director said the world is seeing the city as the gateway to Queensland and Australia, plus, a destination in its own right.

“More international passengers are choosing Brisbane and Queensland as their first port of call in Australia and, with the additional airlines, flights and destinations we added to our network in 2017, it’s making it easier for them to come direct from all corners of the globe to experience Brisbane and all it has to offer.

“It’s not just our efforts as an airport to increase connectivity that has achieved this result, it is the combined efforts of our local and state governments, the airlines and other business partners banding together for Brisbane and Queensland that has really made the impact.

“This momentum and energy can only take us to new heights in 2018 and we look forward to playing our part in the growth and success of our city and state,” Ms Alroe said.

The 23^rd of December was the busiest day of the year at the international terminal, with 21,501 departures and arrivals over a 24-hour period.

The top international growth markets were China & Hong Kong (11% growth with an additional 42,800 passengers), Taiwan (31.7% growth with an additional 31,200 passengers), and Canada (31.9% growth with an additional 20,900 passengers).

With regards to domestic passengers, a growth of 0.8% was recorded with total passenger numbers over 17.2 million.

NRL matches hosted in Brisbane were a major factor in Townsville/Brisbane travel.

A decrease in travel between fly-in, fly-out destination was noted, as well as the volume to/from interstate ports impacted by the effects of Cyclone Debbie.

The September school holidays saw the busiest day of the year (29 September), with 62,530 passengers travelling that day.   

Year-on-year statistics are tabled below:

 Table source: Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC)

2018 is set to be another positive year, with BAC set to hit the half way mark in their infrastructure program valued $3.8 billion, and the new runway continues on schedule to open in 2020.