In mid-December, the Queensland Government released the Cross River Rail (CRR) Precinct Strategy which aims to guide development at each of the new stations the project will deliver.

The document puts on paper the strategic aspirations for the CRR precincts and the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority has responsibility for all five precincts at Boggo Road, Woolloongabba, Albert Street, Roma Street and Exhibition.

The CRR project is a 10.2 kilometre rail line from Dutton Park to Bowen Hills that will include 6 kilometres of twin rail tunnels under the Brisbane River and CBD. The project will also include upgrades to several stations Brisbane's southside as well as develop 3 new Gold Coast stations.

The CRR delivery authority estimates post-construction and once all precincts have been developed, the Gross Regional Product for Brisbane will increase by $15-20 billion and approximately 35,000 new jobs will be created over time.

Consultation for the precinct strategy was undertaken across Queensland Government departments and the Brisbane City Council.

Path of the Cross River Rail project and associated anchors in each precinct. Image: crossriverrail.qld.gov.au

The following is a summary of the strategy at each

Boggo Road

The precinct strategy aims to create a new urban village surrounding the Boggo Road station with a focus on improved pedestrian connectivity to the knowledge hub of leading health, research and education institutions.

Along with forming a connection to the existing Park Road station, the precinct will connect Princess Alexandra Hospital and will aim to strengthen pedestrian links through to the University of Queensland.

Woolloongabba

Home to Brisbane's main cricket and AFL stadium, the precinct strategy aims to create a new town centre that links the stadium, Mater Hospital, the Children's Hospital health precinct and the new station.

The new station will be a new 'front door' to the Gabba and the strategy calls for significant private investment to develop residential, commercial, recreational and health-focused facilities in the immediate area.

Albert Street

At the heart of the Brisbane CBD, the new Albert Street station is seen as a catalyst for new rounds of investment in the southern portion of Brisbane's CBD through improved access to public transport.

"Any development in the Albert Street precinct should deliver high-quality built-form and public realm that contributes to a sense of arrival and creates a new landmark destination within the city centre", the precinct strategy reads.

Roma Street

The new underground station will connect to the existing Roma Street station and the extra public transport investment in the area will bolster Brisbane's West End, opening the way for projects such as Brisbane Live.

The precinct strategy also notes that significant upgrades to the state-owned interchange for bus, other rail, Cross River Rail and metro services will occur that also includes the realignment of the Inner Northern Busway.

Exhibition

The Cross River Rail project will take Exhibition Station from operating as an event time only station to a year-round operational one that will provide the Royal Brisbane and Women's hospital with a high-quality rail connection on top of existing bus services.

The precinct strategy sees further concentration of knowledge-sector industries in the precinct including the expansion of allied health and biomedical industries as well as an expansion of education and research activities within the precinct.

To view the precinct strategy document, see crossriverrail.qld.gov.au.

Lead image credit: buildingqueensland.qld.gov.au