Department of Public Works | Kangaroo Point TAFE Redevelopment Project

Kangaroo Point TAFE Redevelopment Project

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DPW > Major projects > Kangaroo Point TAFE Redevelopment Project

Kangaroo Point TAFE Redevelopment Project

Where is it?

The Kangaroo Point TAFE campus consists of two parcels of land (refer to Figure 1) The site is located on the top of the Kangaroo Point cliffs over the banks of the Brisbane River and directly across the river from the Botanic Gardens and the Brisbane CBD.

The larger allotment (Lot 305 on Figure 1), which is the closest to the Brisbane River, has an area of approximately 9,860m². It forms one of the ‘bookends’ to an existing thin strip of park that runs along the top of the cliffs adjacent to River Terrace. This allotment has three main structures and supporting infrastructure. The main structures were constructed in the late 1960s.

The smaller allotment (Lot 203 on Figure 1) has an area of approximately 2,220m² and is triangular in shape being bounded by existing residential development on the southern side and by River Terrace and Main Street on the other sides. The allotment was used for campus car parking.

Lot 305 marks the northern extremity of the thin strip of park that extends along the top of the Kangaroo Point cliffs opposite the Botanic Gardens and the CBD and provides the only opportunity to have a significant public open space area at the top of the Kangaroo Point cliffs.

Park Design

The design for the park has been developed by the Department of Public Works in collaboration with key stakeholders, including the Brisbane City Council.

The park is being designed as a place for the people (visitors and residents) to enjoy the views of the city all year round and enhance the existing experience along the Kangaroo Point cliffs, in an environment that combines art and place:

● The park will complement and not visually compete with the heritage listed Kangaroo Point cliffs and St Mary’s Anglican Church.

● The park will encourage passive recreation in a multi-functional space.

● The park will be a major viewing platform.

● Art, as funded through Arts Queensland from the art+place Queensland Government Public Art Fund, will be integrated into the park.

Key aspects of the design concept include a series of viewing promontories along the cliff-side boundary of the park, an accessible pedestrian loop around the park, open green expanse in the centre of the park and in a shaded area of the park on the Main Street side there will be BBQs, tables and play spaces provided. Refer to Figure 2, which includes conceptual sketches of the park and Figures 3-6 (shown on the right) illustrate the design being developed for the park.

Artwork in the Park

This project has received financial assistance through Arts Queensland from art+place, the Queensland Government’s Public Art Fund.

These artworks will be an important part of the park design and include:

a. Q150 forest and Landform art work (Artist: Nicole Voevodin-Cash)

b. A playful sculpture (Artist: Alexander Knox)

c. Artwork in association with the cliff edge viewing promontories and western pathway (Artist still to be selected)

d. Significant sculpture to be located in a prominent location (Artist still to be selected)

The Q150 forest will be located on the eastern side of the site and will be predominantly planted with pine trees including the Hoop Pine and Kauri Pine, which are indigenous to the region, and the indigenous Wollemi Pine, which is one of the world's oldest plants. The planting of mainly indigenous pines for this forest is intended to provide a connection for the park with land’s Traditional Owners and original flora.
There will also be Silver Ash in the forest to provide more shade along with a ribbon arbour that will meander through the forest from the highest point in the park down to the amphitheatre. The ash trees will continue through the outdoor amphitheatre to provide shade in this area. In addition to being an important shade tree in the forest the Silver Ash (scientific name is Flindersia schottiana) has an additional layer of significance in that it is named after Matthew Flinders who is associated with exploration of Moreton Bay in the early 1800s.

The Hoop Pines, Kauri Pines and Silver Ash will be cultivated to grow with high clear trunks to allow for activity below, including paths, BBQs and tables. The Wollemi Pines, which will predominantly be planted along the far eastern boundary, will be allowed to grow naturally as they would have in ancient forests, beneath the Hoop Pines.

It is envisaged that this forest will grow to a scale that will stand as a landmark of the Brisbane skyline.
The Landform art work involves sculpting a grassed area of the park near the amphitheatre in a series of “waves” which will also incorporate Brisbane tuff stone from the site and lighting features.

The playful sculpture will be a brightly coloured interactive artwork that includes sounds which reflect the history of the site and area. It will be located in the forest and involve a number of pieces in a linear space. Figure 7 provides an illustration of the concept that is proposed.

Ministerial Designation for Community Infrastructure

The Honourable Robert Schwarten, MP, Minister for Public Works and Information and Communication Technology, designated the land (Lot 305) for community infrastructure under the Integrated Planning Act 1997 on 29 July 2009.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is happening to Lot 203 (carpark)?

This parcel of land is intended to be sold to private developers but the timeframe for this is not currently known. The current economic environment the market conditions are being monitored. It is intended that the land be sold at such a time to provide value for money to the government.

Is there a café proposed?

There is intended to be a modest café that will be operating for basic service when the park is open to the public.

What recognition of the history of site will there be?

In consultation with Traditional Owners the Indigenous history of the site and area will be recognised in the park.

The European educational history of the site, including the Kangaroo Point State School, will also be acknowledged in the park.

Will there be any more bus and car parking at the site?

The existing on-street car park along the frontage of the park will be maintained and discussions are underway with Council regarding possible bus parking near the park.

As part of the announcement for the park it was identified that the park would include a playground. Is this still going to happen?

To reflect the urban nature of this significant park, it is intended to provide a playful sculpture in a linear space within the shady forest. This is intended to take the form of sculptural elements that will be one of the art+place projects being developed in partnership with Arts Queensland.

Will there be amenities in the park?

As part of the café structure four public toilets are being provided.

Will there be access from the park to the bottom of the cliffs?

No direct access from the park to the bottom of the cliffs is proposed at this time. The existing steps adjoining the site will remain.

What green initiatives are being implemented?

The project is being used as a trial of the Queensland Government's new recycling policy for buildings and civil infrastructure. Under the project's recycling management plan a target of greater than 60% of demolition materials from previous buildings including concrete, steel, bricks, aluminium, glass and plaster is to be recycled.

The policy was launched by the Minister for Public Works and Information and Communication Technology on site at Kangaroo Point on 8 July 2009 (view the media release).

There is also intended to be water collection and storage on site for toilets.

Key Dates and Events

On 26 January 2009 the Premier announced that the State Government will create a new public park on the edge of the Kangaroo Point cliffs on the former Kangaroo Point campus of the South Bank Institute TAFE (view the media release).

On 31 March 2009 Rosenlund Contractors were awarded the demolition contract (view the media release).

On 25 May 2009 the public notification period for the designation process commenced (view the media release).

A Community Information Day was held on site on Saturday, 30 May 2009 and was an opportunity for the community to see, and ask questions about, the design for this significant open space in the heart of Brisbane.

Demolition of existing buildings on Lot 305 was completed in August 2009.

On 11 August 2009 Hutchinson Builders were awarded the major park works development contract.

Next Steps
The park is targeted to be opened by the end of December 2009.

Contact
Kerry Fox
Manager, Strategic Projects
(07) 3235 4804

Figure 1
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