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Restoration of Howard Smith Wharves |
Back in May 2006, Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman asked
Council to look into converting Howard Smith Wharves area (one of the only
remaining undeveloped riverfront sites in the CBD) into a new entertainment and
leisure precinct. "It's time to enliven this area so more people can enjoy
one of the city's best vantage spots," Newman said. He likened the
proposed new development to San Francisco's
Boardwalk, and Sydney Darling Harbour's
Cockle Bay. Very ambitious indeed!
More recently, on 20 September 2007, Campbell Newman shared
his vision for the Howard Smith Wharves site. It is anticipated that the new
development will cost around $60 million, with private enterprise a vital
source of revenue to pay for this i.e. through the allowance of building
of
commercial developments such as a
boutique hotel, restaurants and up to four 4-storey buildings. Nevertheless,
Councillor Newman has indicated that 70 per cent of the site would be kept as
parkland.
At this stage, Newman's vision is to include three precincts
with the first under the Story
Bridge to include a tour
boat berth and a boutique hotel. The second precinct would include two or three
4-storey buildings set behind the existing (restored) sheds, which could become
restaurants or cafes. Closest to New Farm, the third precinct would be reserved
for cultural events and include a pavilion, open space and a rock climbing
area.
The plan has not been confirmed, being subject to public
consultation and with
expressions of
interest from developers called in the first half of 2008.
Background
Found at the northern end of the Story Bridge in the part of
Brisbane's city centre area known as Petrie's Bight or Petrie Bight, the Howard
Smith Wharves is an 3.56 hectare area which has been vacant and partly derelict
for over 20 years. The area is currently used by pedestrians and cyclists to
travel between New Farm and the city.
According to Aboriginal legend, the cliffs nearby are the
place where the Rainbow Serpent (a central figure in Aborigines' The Dreaming
believed to be the protector of the land, its people and the source of all
life) entered the river.
Howard Smith Wharves were named after Captain William Howard
Smith and were part of Captain Smith's East Coast inter-colonial passenger and
freight network operating between Launceston, Melbourne and Sydney from 1864
with Brisbane
included in the 1880s.
The wharves were used as a cargo
wharf until the 1960s after which the Queensland Water Police used it as a base
until the 1980s. Since then the wharves have bee unused. Importantly, the
old Water Police building, two warehouses and bomb shelters which are located
on the site are heritage listed
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