The Queensland government has approved a privately funded $158 million “mega-cruise ship terminal” for Brisbane, with a design team comprising engineering and design consultants Arup in conjunction with architects Arkhefield.
The terminal building would cater to cruise ships longer than 270 metres, which are currently berthed at a grain dock that does not provide passenger and luggage handing facilities.
The proposed design “will create a pleasant, intuitive and memorable experience through holistic consideration of the passenger’s journey from ‘kerb to cabin’.”
Brisbane-based practice Arkhefield was responsible for the restoration of the Cairns Cruise Terminal with Total Project Group, which received the 2011 Lachlan Macquarie Award for Heritage at the National Architecture Awards.
The project is only the second to be approved under Queensland’s market-led proposals scheme – the other being a proposal to enhance the Logan Motorway.
Market-led proposals allow private companies to put forward development proposals for government-owned land.
Other projects currently being considered under the market-led proposals initiative are the Queensland Aquarium and Maritime Museum on Brisbane’s Southbank, designed by aquarium specialists Crossley Architects, and the Brisbane Live development in central Brisbane, designed by NRA Collective.
Queensland premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said, “A dedicated, purpose-built cruise ship terminal will boost our international reputation as a global tourism destination of choice.”
“It will serve as a catalyst to supercharge growth in our tourism sector and related industries and generate jobs now and into the future.”
A detailed design phase will commence in November, with wharf construction in 2018.
