A giant tower crane has been installed on the $3.6 billion Queen’s Wharf site as work shifts from excavation to construction of Queensland’s largest basement and underground carpark.
It’s the first of 10 new tower cranes that will dominate Brisbane’s inner-city skyline in the next six months from the Queen’s Wharf site and a project that is set to revolutionise the CBD and rivers edge.
The heavy lift crane between Queen’s Wharf Road and William Street will be used to build one of the two towers for the Star Grand Hotel.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said over the past two-and-a-half years this big project has seen demolition and a giant excavation, and is now beginning to go upwards.
“Having the first of the big cranes installed on-site is another exciting milestone,” the Premier said.
“At peak construction there will be as many as 2000 workers on site and once completed Queen’s Wharf will create up to 10,000 more jobs.
“This transformational inner-city project is proof positive of the government’s commitment to creating jobs in Queensland.
“The vibrant Queen’s Wharf precinct will feature new stand-out, signature infrastructure that will grow and enhance our tourism industry.”
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the project will transform Queensland’s tourism offerings and an underutilised part of the CBD.
“Everything about the size and appeal of this landmark project is just so impressive,” Ms Jones said.
“The Queen’s Wharf Brisbane precinct will have the equivalent of 12 football fields of public space when the development is complete.”
When all excavation is completed by the end of next month nearly 400,000m3 of material will have been safely removed from the site, much of which has gone to the Brisbane Airport for reclamation work and to build the Automall.
The giant hole in the ground, down to a depth of 26 metres at its deepest will be transformed into Queensland’s largest basement and underground carpark.
Ms Jones said with a diverse range of premium dining, shopping, entertainment, and accommodation options on the way, Queen’s Wharf is expected to generate an extra 1.39 million visitors a year and deliver a $1.69 billion dollar a year increase in tourism spending.
Over the next six months Destination Brisbane Consortium expects its builder Multiplex to have up to 10 tower cranes operating within the main site.
The cranes will be used to build the three integrated resort towers, first residential tower, podium level and greatly anticipated Sky Deck.
Next weekend, a second tower crane will go up closer to Margaret St.
In the meantime, the ramp currently used for site access will go in the coming weeks and the cranes will be used to move materials and equipment.
By late 2020 construction works will reach George Street level.
Visit the dedicated Queen’s Wharf Brisbane page to follow its progress.
