Located at the southern gateway to South Bank, one of Queensland’s largest transit oriented developments is set to deliver major improvements with an estimated $6 million upgrade to the existing train station late this year.

With over 60,000 passengers passing through on a weekly basis, South Bank is one of Brisbane’s busiest train stations and now set to form a key feature of the new $600m mixed-use Southpoint’s dining and retail precinct.

In partnership with Queensland Rail and South Bank Corporation, Anthony John Group will deliver design enhancements to the station’s layout and customer facilities, resulting in improved public safety, accessibility and overall appearance. Upgrades will include:

The installation of two new escalators, staircase and lift, providing direct pedestrian access from Southpoint’s Grey Street retail and dining forecourt to the station platform.

The installation of two new escalators, staircase and lift, providing direct pedestrian access from Southpoint’s Grey Street retail and dining forecourt to the station platform. A new ticketing office, staff facilities and public toilet amenities.

A new ticketing office, staff facilities and public toilet amenities. A new feature station entry linking to Southpoint’s upper ground retail and dining level, emphasised by a sub-tropical designed glass awning structure and an open area under.

A new feature station entry linking to Southpoint’s upper ground retail and dining level, emphasised by a sub-tropical designed glass awning structure and an open area under. Widening of pedestrian pathways for increased user-friendliness and traffic flow.

Widening of pedestrian pathways for increased user-friendliness and traffic flow. New digital timetable and event update monitors.

New digital timetable and event update monitors. Extra comfort and shade protection with a proposed new awning and seating structure.

Anthony John Group Managing Director Tony John said the planned upgrades will further enhance the already abundant public and lifestyle amenity on offer whilst playing a key role in supporting increased resident, worker and tourist populations in the area.

“Careful planning considerations have gone into this from the outset. With an estimated 2,000 new workers in Flight Centre’s Global Headquarters, over 1,000 new apartment residents and a new Woolworths anchored 4,500sqm retail and dining precinct, we wanted to ensure we mitigated the risk of additional pedestrian and vehicle traffic congestion, remove barriers to access and indeed increase usage, supporting growth in South Bank visitation and in turn local business.”

“In line with true transit oriented planning principles we have specifically designed Southpoint to exploit all access opportunities to public transport, incorporating features that encourage transit ridership and of course maximise patron safety.”

South Bank Corporation Chief Executive Jeff Weigh echoed similar sentiments, confirming the upgrade would provide residents, workers and visitors to the precinct a world class arrival experience.

“Improvements to the station’s accessibility, including more direct and safer linkages, better technology, and overall amenity will ensure that public transport continues to be an ideal method of travel to and from South Bank well into the future.”

The proposed station upgrades are currently underway and will be completed by late 2016 in line with the opening of the new Southpoint retail and precinct.

A new flagship Emporium Hotel at Southpoint is scheduled to open in early 2018 whilst a selection of residential apartments remain for sale, priced from $1,850,000.