Northshore Hamilton Archives

Northshore Vision 2050: Brisbane’s Olympic Aspiration Faces Mixed Reviews

Brisbane’s plan for a world-class Olympic stadium has sparked discussion among residents, pitting visionary dreams against practical concerns. The Northshore Vision 2050, a $6 billion proposal to solve the city’s 2032 Olympic Games stadium dilemma, has sharply divided public opinion.

Read: Private Sector Proposes $6bn Northshore Hamilton Precinct to Solve 2032 Olympic Crisis

The $6 billion proposal, which its proponents claim won’t cost taxpayers an extra cent, is the brainchild of the Brisbane Design Alliance. This powerhouse team brings together local and global expertise from firms such as Buchan, HKS, NRA Collaborative, Aurecon, and Nikken Sekkei, in collaboration with project development partners Cenfield MXD Limited.

At the heart of the plan is a dramatic stadium that would serve as the centrepiece for the 2032 Olympic Games. The proposed venue would be complemented by an adjacent aquatic centre, wave pool, and a vibrant retail and hospitality zone.

The precinct would also include a hotel overlooking the venue, a 2500-apartment athletes’ village, and pedestrian walkways along the river, creating a comprehensive Olympic experience.

The vision extends beyond the Games themselves, with the Brisbane Design Alliance aiming to create a lasting legacy that would cement Brisbane’s status as a global city. By developing world-class infrastructure, the project seeks to benefit future generations long after the Olympic flame has been extinguished.

Public Reaction

As with any project of this magnitude, the proposal has sparked mixed reactions among Brisbane residents and observers. Some view it as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to put the city on the world map, praising the unique design and its potential to create a landmark destination.

One resident expressed concern that a 60,000-seat stadium was insufficient, pointing out that Melbourne had constructed the 100,000-seat MCG half a century ago.

A critic argued against the project, citing concerns about “homelessness” and “existing debt” as reasons why the city couldn’t afford such an ambitious plan.

In contrast, a supporter praised the proposal’s uniqueness, suggesting that Queenslanders should endorse it and emphasising the need to begin work promptly, given the eight-year timeline before the Olympics.

Read: Northshore Hamilton Set to Transform with Futuristic 2032 Olympics Transport Plans

The debate surrounding the Northshore Vision 2050 reflects the broader challenges faced by cities hosting major sporting events like the Olympics.

As Brisbane prepares for its moment in the global spotlight, the coming months and years will likely see intense discussions about the merits of this ambitious proposal. Whether the Northshore Vision 2050 becomes a reality or not, it has already succeeded in igniting a conversation about Brisbane’s future and its aspirations on the world stage.

Published 19-August-2024

Private Sector Proposes $6-Billion Northshore Hamilton Precinct to Solve 2032 Olympic Crisis

A consortium of global architects and planners has proposed a $6-billion Olympic precinct in Northshore Hamilton, aiming to address the ongoing planning issues for the 2032 Games without adding any extra burden on taxpayers.

The Brisbane Design Alliance, a team of world-renowned architects, engineers, and planners, has developed a comprehensive proposal to transform Northshore Hamilton into a vibrant Olympic precinct. The Alliance includes several prominent firms, including HKS Architects, one of the key members.

HKS Architects, an international architecture firm led by Andrew Colling, is known for designing major stadiums like SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles and AT&T Stadium for the Dallas Cowboys. They bring their expertise in large-scale sports venue design to the project, working alongside other firms in the Alliance such as Buchan (an Australian-based architectural firm), NRA Collaborative, Aurecon (an engineering and infrastructure advisory company), and Nikken Sekkei (a Japanese architecture firm known for its innovative designs).

An Ambitious Plan for Brisbane’s Future

The proposed development would feature a 60,000-seat waterfront stadium as the centrepiece of the precinct.

Brisbane Design Alliance Northshore Hamilton — *Photo Credit: HSK Architects*

In addition to the stadium, the plan includes a hotel overlooking the venue, a 2500-apartment athletes’ village, pedestrian walkways along the river, an aquatic and wave pool centre, and a retail and restaurant hub.

The proposed Northshore precinct is designed for the Olympics and as a long-term solution to Brisbane’s urban growth. It aims to provide an unmatched mixed-use development in Queensland.

According to the Brisbane Design Alliance, the Northshore scheme is tailored to address the city’s projected population growth over the next 25 years. The project includes plans for an additional 12,000 residential dwellings around the precinct after the Games, providing a lasting legacy for the community. The consortium believes the precinct could be privately funded, similar to Perth’s Optus Stadium, built without direct government funding.

Transport and Infrastructure Challenges

A significant aspect of the Northshore proposal is the need for substantial transport infrastructure upgrades. The consortium has identified this as a critical issue that must be addressed to ensure the precinct’s success.

The proposed site, which spans 150 hectares between Bretts Wharf on Kingsford Smith Drive and the Royal Queensland Golf Club, requires improvements to the existing transport network, including train, bus, tram, and ferry services.

HSK Architects Northshore Hamilton — *Photo Credit: HSK Architects*

The proposal also includes the construction of public parkland and gardens to serve the expected 22,000 residents who will live in the area post-2032. A green pedestrian drawbridge over the Brisbane River, linking the precinct to Bulimba, is part of the project. If there is enough interest and support, this bridge could be pursued as a standalone project before the Games.

The Brisbane Design Alliance sees the Northshore precinct as an opportunity to create a world-class venue that reflects Brisbane’s identity and future growth. The team believes this project could provide a unique Brisbane 2032 Olympics experience while addressing the city’s long-term needs.

Commitment to QSAC Upgrade

Despite the innovative private sector proposal, the state remains committed to its plans for the 2032 Olympics. The state has already initiated a $1.6 billion upgrade to the Queensland Sport and Athletics Centre (QSAC) at Mount Gravatt, with tenders for early planning and design work issued last week.

Minister Di Farmer, speaking on behalf of the state government, reiterated the government’s preference for publicly owned Olympic venues. She emphasised that the government’s vision for the Games is clear, including significant investment in social and affordable housing within the Northshore precinct.

The state promised to build 3,000 homes in the area, and recent contracts worth $87 million were awarded for road and civil works. However, the minister did not provide specific details about whether QSAC would be used for the Olympics’ opening and closing ceremonies.

However, the Brisbane Design Alliance remains hopeful that the state will reconsider its position, especially given the transport challenges currently plaguing the Northshore area.

The consortium is confident that with the necessary support from the state government, construction on the Northshore precinct could begin by early 2026, ensuring that the project is completed in time for the Olympics. They also proposed that the state provide the land required for the project, which is currently partly owned by the state, while the private sector handles the bulk of the funding and construction.

Published 18-Aug-2024

Northshore Hamilton Set to Transform with Futuristic 2032 Olympics Transport Plans

Did you know that the Brisbane 2032 Olympics will potentially feature revolutionary transport and mobility technology such as air taxis, drones, autonomous shuttles, and personal mobility pods at Northshore Hamilton?

The partnership marks an Australian-first in transport innovation, where Economic Development Queensland (EDQ) will work with Toyota and MIT to harness advanced transport technologies.

This collaboration aims to dramatically reshape Brisbane’s transport landscape by the 2032 Olympics, introducing modes of transport reminiscent of the futuristic 1960s cartoon “The Jetsons.”

Northshore Hamilton, the designated home for the 2032 Olympics athletes’ village, could see significant developmental changes due to this initiative. The project not only promises to enhance the Olympic experience but also foresees a long-term transformation in urban mobility across Brisbane, reducing car dependency and congestion.

Technological Advancements and Urban Planning

The 18-month design project spearheaded by EDQ will look into next-generation mobility solutions. Debbie McNamara, CEO of EDQ, highlighted the importance of leveraging Toyota and MIT’s expertise in autonomous technologies and innovative urban planning to forge new frontiers in accessibility and connectivity.

MIT’s transport expert, Professor Alan Berger, emphasized the necessity for urban planners to integrate these new mobility technologies to maximize social and environmental benefits.

“It is vital for urban planners and urban designers to start thinking about the integration of future mobility technologies to maximize, the environmental and social benefits they can bring,” said Mr Berger.

“This project will use parametric modelling tools to design and test urban configurations that support innovative forms of active mobility and universal access, reducing reliance on private cars and integrating with, active mobility options such as walking and micromobility, and traditional public transit models, which are also expected to evolve in the future.

“We are very excited to be working with EDQ and Toyota Mobility Foundation to envision future sustainable and resilient design scenarios for Northshore Brisbane.”

A Broader Spectrum of Innovations

The initiative will also explore infrastructure improvements to support these new technologies, such as alternatives to traditional parking and loading zones, and the creation of micro-mobility hubs, parcel delivery, vehicle charging, and storage solutions.

Advanced mobility technologies such as AI-driven self-driving cars and buses, electric drones, air taxis for urban commuting, and flexible ride-sharing and bike-sharing platforms are all on the research agenda. Additionally, the project will look at enhancing smart transit hubs, intelligent traffic management systems, electric personal mobility pods, and even advanced wheelchairs.

Technology Category

Description

Autonomous Vehicles

Self-driving cars and buses that use AI and sensors to navigate without human input, providing safe and efficient transportation.

Electric Scooters and Bikes

Compact, eco-friendly personal transportation devices that can be rented on-demand for short trips, enhancing last-mile connectivity.

Urban Air Mobility (UAM)

Electric drones and air taxis designed for short urban flights, reducing congestion on the ground and offering quick travel options.

Shared Mobility Services

Platforms for ride-sharing, car-sharing, and bike-sharing that provide flexible, on-demand access to various modes of transport without the need for ownership.

Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS)

Integrated digital platforms that combine different transport services (public transit, ride-sharing, bike-sharing) into a single, accessible service, enabling seamless travel across multiple modes.

Smart Transit Hubs

Innovative transportation nodes that integrate various mobility services, including public transport, shared vehicles, and personal devices, designed for easy and efficient access.

Connected and Smart Infrastructure

Intelligent traffic management systems and smart city technologies that optimize traffic flow, reduce congestion, and support autonomous and electric vehicles.

Personal Mobility Pods

Small, electric, and autonomous vehicles designed for individual or small group transport, offering a comfortable and efficient alternative to traditional cars.

On-Demand Autonomous Shuttles

Driverless, electric shuttles that operate on-demand, providing flexible and sustainable public transportation options within urban areas.

Electric Cargo Drones

Autonomous drones designed for freight transport, enabling quick and sustainable delivery of goods within urban environments.

This ambitious project not only sets the stage for a futuristic Olympics but could also herald a new era of urban mobility in Brisbane, potentially setting a benchmark for cities worldwide.

Published 8-Aug-2024

Monet in Paris Exhibition Extended: Northshore Hamilton to Welcome Art Lovers until August 2023

Due to popular demand, Northshore Hamilton is set to extend its highly anticipated Monet in Paris exhibition until late August this year.

Read: ‘Monet in Paris’ Set to Dazzle in Northshore Hamilton

Northshore Hamilton has been transformed into an artistic wonderland with the arrival of this exhibition in Brisbane, drawing inspiration from 19th century France and the works of Claude Monet and other Impressionist painters.

Originally scheduled to run from 7 June to 6 August only, the exhibition will now continue to dazzle visitors until 27 August 2023, offering a rare opportunity to be immersed in a 360-degree display of Monet’s world.

Enormous projections of famous paintings by Monet and other Impressionist artists illuminate the space, bringing their bold brushstrokes and vibrant colours to life.

Beyond the visual spectacle, the exhibition explores the historical context of the Impressionist movement. Visitors can learn about the social and political turbulence of the time through interactive displays and informative exhibits. The exhibition captures the essence of 19th century Paris, with its lively cabarets, elegant salons, and bustling streets that inspired the artists.

To create a truly immersive experience, Monet in Paris engages all the senses. Visitors can enjoy the scent of flowers, the sounds of city life, and the vibrant colours of the projected artworks, transporting them back in time to Monet’s era.

This highly anticipated exhibition has become a must-see cultural event, attracting visitors from far and wide. It not only revives interest in the Impressionist movement but also sparks conversations about the intersection of art, history, and society. By celebrating the legacy of Monet and his contemporaries, Monet in Paris pays tribute to the artists who revolutionised the art world.

Read: ArtForce Brisbane: Pockets of Art In Hamilton

To buy your tickets or to learn more about the Monet in Paris exhibition, you may visit monetinparis.com.au.

Published 12-July-2023

Northshore Hamilton Welcomes First Needle-Free Vaccine Patch Facility In Australia

Did you know that Northshore Hamilton now has a state-of-the-art biomedical manufacturing facility producing Australia’s first needle-free vaccine patch?

Queensland biotechnology company Vaxxas plans to manufacture millions of needle-free vaccines at the new facility where cutting-edge technology produces patches that allow vaccines to be administered through the skin’s surface in a matter of seconds. This breakthrough innovation positions Queensland as a leading player in the globally competitive Asia-Pacific biomedical industry.

The facility is expected to boost the state’s economy and create up to 200 local and skilled jobs. The State Government provided funding and operational support to Vaxxas, aiding the transformation of an existing warehouse at Northshore into the manufacturing facility.

With completed human clinical trials and ongoing studies for COVID-19, influenza, and other vaccine targets, Vaxxas’ needle-free vaccine patch technology is progressing rapidly toward commercialization. David Hoey, Vaxxas CEO, expects the first commercially available vaccine patches to be manufactured and distributed from the Queensland facility within the next three to five years.

The government’s commitment to supporting local biomedical start-ups and fostering innovation has contributed to Queensland’s growing reputation as a research and innovation hub.

The establishment of the Vaxxas facility aligns with the Queensland Government’s Biomedical 10-Year Roadmap and Action Plan, which aims to further develop the biomedical sector in the state. Currently contributing $2.1 billion to Queensland’s economy and employing over 12,000 people, the biomedical industry is set to attract more interstate and international businesses through the upcoming Queensland Biomedical Business Attraction Program.

Deputy Premier Steve Miles expressed his excitement about the facility’s opening on 19 June 2023 and highlighted the importance of expanding Queensland’s capability in vaccine development, manufacturing, and delivery. He emphasized the vital role that Vaxxas’ needle-free technology could play in pandemic preparedness by enabling the quick and easy deployment of vaccines to communities.

Published 20-June-2023

‘Monet in Paris’ Set to Dazzle in Northshore Hamilton

Photo Credit: Monet In Paris/Facebook

“Monet in Paris,” a multi-sensory experience featuring the works of the founder of impressionist painting, Claude Monet, will mark its world premiere at Northshore Hamilton.

From the same team that delivered “Van Gogh Alive,” the new exhibition, debuting on 7 June 2023 and will run until 6 August 2023, will be housed at the Le Grand Palais.

Unlike a traditional exhibition, there will be no physical works by Monet. Instead, his masterpieces will be a scaled-up 360-degree presentation set against a 250-metre marquee that even non-art lovers will find exciting.

The immersive exhibition, which will have over 3,000 images, will be even more unforgettable with scents and sounds to really set the mood. Also featured in the exhibition are the masterpieces of Camille Pissarro, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Paul Cézanne and Edgar Degas.

Depending on your ticket package, “Monet in Paris” will also feature a two-hour Paint Like Monet session for 18-year-old and above guests and a High Tea in Paree celebration at the S4 Gallery.

Paint Like Monet’s package includes:

Two (2) Entries into the Monet in Paris Experience
Two (2) Glasses of Champagne de Saint-Gall Premier Cru (or a tipple of your choice)
A two hour session allocated for painting your masterpiece with guidance, including all supplies

High Tea in Paree’s ticket package has:

Two (2) Entries into the Monet in Paris Experience
A 3-tiered arrangement of decadent sweets and artisanal savouries to share
Two (2) Glasses of Champagne de Saint-Gall Premier Cru, wine, beer or non-alcoholic beverage
Your choice of a Pot of Maison du Thé tea or coffee

Ticket bookings have officially opened via the official site.

Published 20 March 2023

Flipside Circus Opens Brisbane Circus Centre, Its New Home At Northshore Hamilton

Youth company Flipside Circus, the largest youth arts organisation in Queensland, has opened Brisbane Circus Centre, their new home located at Northshore Hamilton.

Read: Northshore Hamilton Transformation Accelerated, Development Scheme Amendment Approved

The newest circus training centre in town is expected to welcome around 110,000 visitors a year, and is now Queensland’s largest circus centre.

Flipside Circus officially opened the Brisbane Circus Centre in March 2023, with a celebration attended by members of the community.

Flipside Circus Creative Director and CEO Robert Kronk said they wanted a space that was big and bold and playful and this newly opened facility ticked all the boxes.

“The building is like a bit of circus apparatus in itself; it’s playful, it opens out, there are cantilevers jutting out in all directions and we have some really cool plans to break out of that building in novel ways and hang people off walls and overhangs,” Mr Kronk said.

Flipside Circus’ new home is made from shipping containers and prefabricated materials, which was designed based on Northshore Brisbane’s values of adaptability and future-proofing.

The new centre offers a variety of classes, aerials like lyra, silks and trapeze, mini-trampoline, hula hooping, juggling, and devil sticks.

Mr Kronk finds it exciting that the Brisbane Circus Centre will not only help the organisation expand their training program but the capacity to create and perform shows to share with audiences at home.

The centre is supported by the Australian Government, which contributed $1 million towards its construction through the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Cities and Regional Development’s Community Development Grants Program.

Read: How Northshore Hamilton Evolved from 19th-Century Fishing Ground to Premier Waterfront Precinct

Flipside Circus is a not-for-profit organisation which aims to empower communities through circus. To learn more about their programs, visit their website or follow them on Facebook.

Published 12-March-2023

Altis Buys Cullen Avenue West Property in the Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area

Altis Property Partners has acquired its second large-form industrial investment for $32.25 million in the Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area.

The site on Cullen Avenue West is part of the Trade Coast precinct, one of the largest employment sites and sought-after locations in Queensland. Spanning 12,032 square metres, the property’s tenants include Freedom Fuels, Scout Aerial Services and Plastral.

Altis intends to upgrade the business park in time for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and make it available for more tenants. This was the key reason for the company’s decision to secure the asset because of its benefits in the future.

“One of the key characteristics which attracted us to this asset is the benefit from the future infrastructure investment in the precinct,” Gareth Price, the Director Capital Transactions at Altis said. “The Northshore Hamilton Priority Development area will undergo a major transformation into a vibrant, mixed-use precinct. This new industrial acquisition fits within our strategy of buying in core markets, centrally and conveniently located to employment hubs, with access to key infrastructure.”

“We are thrilled to add this asset to Altis’ diversified AREEP4 fund due to its diversified income and near term positive rental reversion opportunity due to the short weighted average lease expiry (“WALE”),” James King, the Director Investment Management and Capital said. “This acquisition reflects the exact type of asset the fund is targeting with the ability to access value by increasing the net rental income and extending the WALE in a tightly held precinct with the lowest vacancy rate of c0.6% in the Brisbane industrial market. Despite the headwinds caused by the inflationary environment we find ourselves in, we feel strong supportive fundamentals remain for the industrial sector at the right entry prices.”

It comes a few months after Altis also acquired a 9.03-hectare industrial investment in Western Australia and a Build-to-Rent project in Melbourne.

Published 4 March 2023

Works Progressing Well For Northshore’s Needle-free Vaccine Facility

Construction is well underway for a needle-free vaccine facility at Northshore Hamilton, which is a first of its kind in Australia.

Read: Hamilton Could Soon Be Producing Needle-Free Vaccines

Biotech company Vaxxas’ needle-free vaccine facility in Hamilton will feature a house office, R&D laboratories, and device and cleanroom manufacturing spaces.

The existing warehouse on the site will be refurbished to make way for the needle-free vaccine facility, to help Vaxxas manufacture its proprietary high-density microarray patch (HD-MAP) for Phase II, Phase III and early-stage commercial use.

The new facility, which is a key part of Queensland’s Economic Recovery Plan, is set for completion in the first quarter of 2023.

Once construction is finished, Vaxxas expects to manufacture enough needle-free vaccine kits to deliver 300 million doses each year at full capacity.

According to Deputy Premier and Minister for State Development Steven Miles, Vaxxas will employ up to 110 high-skilled biomedical experts when operating in early 2023.

“This could grow to more than 139 new jobs over five years, which will go a long way in securing Queensland as a globally competitive Asia-Pacific biomedical hub,” Mr Miles said.

How A Needle-free Vaccine Works

Vaxxas’ technology uses a small patch with a surface of thousands of micro-projections coated with a vaccine to deliver the vaccine to the abundance of immune cells immediately below the skin surface.

According to Vaxxas Chief Operations and Development Officer Angus Forster, their high density micro-array patch (HD-MAP) technology can deposit a vaccine through the surface of the skin in just a few seconds.

“Our clinical research shows that this elicits a more efficient and effective immune response than traditional syringes due to the abundance of immune cells immediately below the surface of the skin,” Mr Forster said.

Mr Forster added that there will be an opportunity to make the transportation of vaccines to rural and remote communities much easier as the vaccine patch can be stored at temperatures as high as 40ºC.

Read: Northshore Hamilton Prepares to Transform for the 2032 Brisbane Olympics

For further information about Vaxxas’ novel vaccination technology, visit www.vaxxas.com.

The Cullen: Proposed 23-Storey Development Within Northshore Hamilton PDA

Photo Credit: Economic Development Queensland / edqdad.dsdip.qld.gov.au

Developer Limitless Residential has submitted an application for a 23-storey residential-led development on Hercules Street within the Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area.

The proposed development, to be called “The Cullen”, at 5 Hercules Street will offer a mix of land uses including residential, retail shop, F&B, office, medical centre, educational establishment, indoor entertainment and indoor sport and recreation.

The Plus Architecture-designed project will include 100 residential units including 50 two-bedroom and 50 three-bedroom units. Each unit will have a functional balcony that leads to the main living area. The balconies are designed to be big enough to accommodate outdoor furniture and be a usable space.

The Cullen proposed site | Photo Credit: Economic Development Queensland / edqdad.dsdip.qld.gov.au

The podium will comprise four storeys containing retail tenancies on the ground level and three levels of car parking behind an articulated facade, and a recreation terrace. The level 4 communal space will contain a lap pool, spa lounge area, a sauna, outdoor barbecue areas, an indoor gym, yoga, and a pilates studio.

The Cullen | Photo Credit: Economic Development Queensland / edqdad.dsdip.qld.gov.au

“The materiality chosen for the podium includes brick patterning to connect with the industrial history and development within the broader area of the PDA. Being located at a key entrance point for the PDA, provides an excellent opportunity to provide this style of locally distinctive outcome, which has been achieved successfully in other areas, such as Woolloongabba.” – Mewing Planning Consultants

The application will be assessed by Economic Development Queensland as it is situated within the Northshore Hamilton Priority Development Area.

Proposed development summary

Gross floor area: 14,324sqm
Height: 23 storeys plus rooftop
Office GFA: 249sqm
Shop/Food GFA: 208sqm
Residential: 100 units (50 x 2 bedrooms, 50 x 3 bedrooms)
Lifts: 4
Retail: 2 ground floor retail tenancies (151sqm)
Landscaping: 612sqm
Communal Open Space: 902sqm (Podium top recreation area=787sqm, Rooftop level=115sqm)
Car Parking: 154 spaces
Bicycle Parking: 114 spaces (102 residents, 12 visitors)

5 Hercules St, Hamilton QLD 4007, Australia