Inside Asian Gaming

August 2015 inside asian gaming 23 Cover Story The revitalization plan will enhance riverfront access and recreation opportunities with parks, an outdoor cinema, a wharf for short-term boat berthing along with water sports facilities, exercise area and spaces for major events, art installations, pop-ups, markets, dining and outdoor screenings. A new bridge for pedestrians and cyclists will link Queen’s Wharf to the South Bank arts and leisure district across the river and add a 1,500-seat lyric theater there. Queen’s Wharf tourist attractions will include a sound and light show on the river, water features and reuse of several heritage buildings to enhance the district’s distinctive character. The Destination Brisbane plan shares many features with the rival Greenland Crown proposal, including the bridge, South Bank theater, outdoor cinema, hospitality industry vocational training and enhancement of existing transportation infrastructure, suggesting Queensland authorities laid down specific project guidelines. Premier Campbell Newman’s Liberal National state government proposed licensing new IRs in Brisbane, Gold Coast and Cairns, about 1,400 kilometers north of Brisbane. The initiative aimed to revive Queensland’s economy, reeling from declines in energy exports and a 6.5% unemployment rate, and produce new tax revenue to help reduce the A$74 billion state debt. In May last year, the government chose preliminary licensees for Gold Coast and Cairns and finalists for Queen’s Wharf. Then in January, Mr Newman’s government lost the state election. Labor formed a government led by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk amid speculation it might scuttle the IR initiative. Ms Palaszczuk’s team delayed announcement of the Queen’s Wharf winner for several months but in the end embraced the project. Announcing the selection of Destination Brisbane, Ms Palaszczuk said the Queen’s Wharf redevelopment will change Brisbane with iconic infrastructure to enhance its place on the international stage. She told media “the consortium was able to demonstrate to the government that they are ready to proceed. We needed to have that financial security but also we wanted to minimize any risk.” Ms Palaszczuk didn’t clarify what the risk might be. Queen’s Wharf is expected to create 2,000 or more construction jobs and more than The IR component centers on the Arc, curved twin hotel towers linked by a rooftop deck. Clearly inspired by Marina Bay Sands’ SkyPark towering over Singapore, the multilevel Horizon Deck will include infinity swimming pools, spa facilities, plus a public area with restaurants and recreation space. The deck extends to the taller residential and hotel towers flanking it, with two more residential towers sited to the east. Echo says the 2,000 apartments to be constructed and sold are a key to making the redevelopment financially viable. August 2015 inside asian gaming 23