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. 

Upon analysis of the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) February board meeting, St George expects the RBA will leave interest rates steady for the remainder of 2018, as reported in their latest Interest Rate Outlook.

The statement was broadly positive and indicates there is increasing confidence in the Australian economy from the RBA, especially in comparison to the end of 2017. St George believes the factors that will determine the RBA’s next move will be related to receptiveness of inflation and wage pressures to strength of the labour market.

Some highlights included:

• Continued positivity for business investment, noting that “prospects for private non-mining investment were more positive than they had been for some time”.
• With regards to the labour market, the board noted that “uncertainty remained about how employers would respond as spare capacity in the labour market diminished. Indeed, it was possible that ongoing strength in the demand for labour might result in wage growth picking up by more than anticipated, both in Australia and abroad”.
•  Increased optimism in the worldwide economy as the 2017 global GDP growth had exceeded predictions of most analysts. The RBA board minutes document that global growth could “continue to surprise on the upside, given the synchronised nature of the current upturn”.

One of the concerns raised was weak growth in household income, which St George concur that household consumption could be a key risk for domestic growth.

While concerns were noted, St George is satisfied the meeting was one with an overall positive outlook. 

Construction group Mirvac proposes to build a 32-storey, 75,339 sqm commercial tower at 80 Ann Street, reports brisbanedevelopment.com.

The development application shows plans for the building to connect Turbot and Ann Streets via new cross block linkages, and will occupy one entire city block. Currently on the is an 8-storey low rise housing the Primary Industries building, which would be demolished in the plans progress.

The site fronting Ann Street is the former location of the famous Brisbane Fruit Market which commenced in 1906, selling around 15,000 cases of fruit each week. The new development is expected to pay homage to the former site, with the proposal including freestanding market pods located within a heritage-inspired retail market section.

• The main features within the proposal include:75,339 sqm of commercial office space
• 1,098 sqm of retail space on Turbot Street level, Ann Street level and Level 1
• 124 car spaces, including four motorcycle places
•  4,856 sqm (88% of the site area) of outdoor area at ground level
• Possible innovation hub for small start-up businesses, health and wellness centre, a public laneway known as “Market Lane” housing ten retail tenancies along a narrow section that will include food and beverage outlets
• End of trip facility at Turbot Street level and Level 1, including 514 bike spaces, 58 showers, bike washing area and 1164 lockers
•  Preservation of the masonry heritage building on Turbot Street, in agreement with the existing demolition approval for the site
• Landscaped terraces, public plaza at level 1, retail spaces and co-working / multi-mode spaces
• Considerable public space at ground level, including new pedestrian connections between Ann Street and Turbot Street
•  Vehicle access and arrival area off Turbot Street
• Commercial office tower which includes three-storey atriums and interconnecting floors

The site has been under contract since December 2016 and comes with conditions that if Mirvac cannot gain development approval or attain a building tenant, they can terminate. The Singaporean developer who is selling the site, Wee Hur told the Australian Financial Review that another condition of the contract is if Mirvac can achieve more than 55,000 sqm of office space, a bonus land payment will be awarded.

The site is rumoured to be on Suncorp’s shortlist for their new national headquarters.

This Mirvac development application has been submitted in place of one originally submitted by Wee Hur for a 918 room student accommodation tower over 38 storeys. 

Brisbane is set to be the first Australian brewery site for Scottish beer giant, BrewDog. The company is investing $30 million in a purpose-built facility overlooking the Brisbane River, reports brisbanetimes.com.au.

The new facility located on Metroplex Avenue in Murarrie is estimated to create 150 jobs in the first five years, increasing to 235 jobs in the next ten. The 11,000 square metre greenfield property will house a 50 hectolitre brewhouse and canning facility, restaurant and tap room. There will be a tasting room where tours will be conducted.

Brisbane Marketing and the state government successfully lured the multi-national operation after they announced they were deciding between a site in either Brisbane or Newcastle in NSW. 

It is expected that possible financial incentives were offered to the company through the $65 million Advance Queensland Industry Attraction Fund. State Development Minister Cameron Dick would not elaborate on this, adding it was common government practice to provide a range of incentives to attract business.

BrewDog Australian Director Zarah says the quality of craft beer produced in Brisbane is high.

"We think there's a way to go, but we're looking forward to working with the breweries that are here, and some of the ones that are up-and-coming, to really make sure Brisbane is on that map for great craft beer."

The company supports the industry by working with other independent craft breweries.

Construction for the brewery is due to start in the second half of this year, with the first beer produced in early 2019.

Hannah Schuhmann says love it or loathe it, Brisbane is cementing itself on the national beer map, already home to over 20 breweries, which is great for tourism.