Council launches 20-year vision to transform the CBD
Published on 30 January 2017
A bold new vision to drastically improve the Rockhampton CBD over the next 20 years has today been revealed to the community for public consultation.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and Deputy Premier Jackie Trad joined Rockhampton Region Mayor Margaret Strelow to officially launch the CBD Redevelopment Framework this morning.
“The revitalisation of our CBD has been a major discussion for some years now, with a lot of research, planning and collaboration with local businesses, the community and also the State Government,” Mayor Strelow said.
“This collective 20 year vision will help us deliver actual outcomes to create a vibrant and thriving CBD where people want to do business, shop and live."
The CBD Redevelopment Framework seeks to leverage from existing opportunities such as our city’s heritage, while combating issues such as parking and transport.
It also outlines a number of placemaking initiatives including streetscaping, signage and creating better links between Quay Street, Quay Lane and East Street.
Catalyst projects within the Framework include a joint venture residential development with the State Government, a market place, artistic laneways and a Cultural Precinct that will house the Rockhampton Art Gallery and Smart Hub.
The Framework, which was developed in conjunction with Urbis –the designers of the Rockhampton Riverbank and Kershaw Garden’s redevelopment –, will be used to inform all major redevelopment decisions within the CBD and Mayor Strelow is encouraging the community to share their thoughts.
“We want to hear from urban and rural residents and businesses about what they think of this long-term strategic plan which is designed to have flow on benefits well beyond the CBD,” she said.
A previous community survey on the CBD showed that on a scale of 1 – 10, the community considered the importance of revitalising the CBD as an 8.5.“It is important to have this strategic direction in place so that it can be used as not only a guide for our future planning, but also as a tool to seek funding,” Mayor Strelow said.
“It will be a living document to ensure that it responds to new opportunities.”
Council will continue to consult with CBD businesses, namely the CBD Reference Stakeholder Group, as a first point of reference to discuss the strategies and projects as they evolve.
The CBD Redevelopment Framework is open for public consultation for a two-month period from today.
Click here to download the Draft Rockhampton CBD Redevelopment Framework