The Queensland community has been concerned about the unsightly noisy and windswept undercroft of a major freeway in front of Brisbane’s most important heritage precinct on the north bank of the Brisbane River. A proposal by Multiplex plans for high-rise development 40 metres into Brisbane River blocking views of the early buildings from the river and south Bank. This will isolate both the Commissariat Store and the former Immigration Depot from the river. Also lost will be the location of the Queen’s Wharf, from which the River City of Brisbane grew. The important relationship between the precinct and the river will be lost.

Original plans for redevelopment of North Bank were for low scale development, but this more intense high rise development is being considered as the Government wants to deliver this project at no nett cost to the people of

Queensland.

The National Trust’s view is that while there would be no financial cost to

Government, there is a substantial cost to the people of Queensland as they would lose part of the Brisbane River and the visual connections between South Bank and the CBD. The National Trust does not support any proposal that is higher than the freeway.