Part of North Bank, including the William Street heritage precinct.

Photo: National Trust of Queensland

Significance:

The name North Bank is now used to describe the area between the Victoria Bridge and the Alice Street Parliamentary precinct. It includes the William Street heritage precinct which encompasses eight sites included in the Queensland Heritage Register. Also included are Queen’s Wharf Road, possibly the oldest thoroughfare in Brisbane, and the Riverside Expressway constructed in the 1970s. The heritage buildings of William Street are linked aesthetically as well as historically and have a strong connection to the river.

Statement of Risk:

The proposed development of the North Bank of the Brisbane River required the developer to provide considerable public infrastructure at no cost to the government. The result was large buildings on platforms over the river. These would have had a significant impact on the heritage values of the William Street precinct, especially with regard to views and vistas. Environmental and ecological impacts have yet to be fully investigated.

Degree of Risk:                  At risk – no solution agreed

Threats/Risks:                    Devaluation

Fate/outcome:                    Stable

As a consequence in part of the Trust’s North Bank campaign, a three day Enquiry by Design process investigated alternate designs for the North Bank. The Queensland government was expected to release a new North Bank design for public comment in late July or early August 2008.

Desired Outcome:

A design can be agreed upon which makes North Bank a vibrant, high-quality, signature place for Brisbane which at the same time recognises the importance of the river and celebrates the environmental and heritage values of the whole of the northern bank of the Brisbane River, not just a few parts.

                                                                           Review 2007 Nomination  

Bibliography:

‘North Bank Update’, in Trust News Queensland, vol. 20, August 2008, p. 3.