annual report 2007 where City meets Country - the RNA

Exhibition Space RefurbishmentConsolidation of exhibition space and replacement ofunworkable and cumbersome facilities will be a keyelement of the redevelopment, beginning with expansionof the historic John Reid Pavilion, to incorporate a lightand well ventilated outdoor exhibition area.Mixed Use DevelopmentThe land fronting St Pauls Terrace as well as Constance,Costin and Alexandria Streets will be released in stages formixed use redevelopment. By bringing together a rangeof public uses including retail, commercial and residential,will immediately bring activity, people and ‘life’ to anarea that is currently barren. Developments facingoutwards to the street will also serve to connect theRNA Showgrounds with its neighbouring precincts ofFortitude Valley, Green Square and Spring Hill.Key elements of the proposed RNADevelopment Scheme Strategy for the northernsector (North of Gregory Terrace) include:Showring No 1 (the Main Arena)The solid fence around the RNA Showground’s brandnew ‘green arena’ will be replaced with a transparent fencewhich can be opened to Gregory Terrace and viewedclearly from the streetscape.Showring No 1 SectorTo enliven the area surrounding the Main Arena, it isproposed to replace Machinery Hill and the AssemblyStands with new grandstands and exhibition space.There’s also an option to create new exhibition spacealong Gregory Terrace in conjunction with the existingheritage character, providing exciting new and old venuesfor both the EkkA and other events. A new pedestrianspine from Bowen Hills Station into this precinctwill encourage people movement from all directionsthroughout the grounds.Showring No 2 Sector (No.2 Oval andSideshow Alley)The development of a health facility along O’ConnellThe RNA is now working closely, via a Memorandum of Understanding with the StaIndustrial PavilionBetter known as the Showbag Pavilion during EkkA,this large scale pavilion space will be refurbished toincorporate a subterranean car park and a flat floorexhibition level, as well as new administration andmeeting facilities. There is also provision for a pedestrianlink to the Old Queensland Museum and a future hotel,making this space an attractive venue for the national andinternational meetings and major conference market.Historic Stands and EkkA SquareRefurbishment of the Ernest Baynes Stand, MembersStand and John MacDonald Stand will return thesemagnificent structures to their former glory. Theopen space outside these stands, where the currentRNA administration building stands, will become apublic ‘Square’ and a natural meeting place for peoplethroughout the year.Terrace (near Bowen Bridge Park) is logical use for thisarea given its proximity of the Royal Brisbane andRoyal Brisbane Womens Hospitasl. Some commercialdevelopment and new exhibition (Large Animal Pavillion)space along O’Connell Terrace is also being considered.Re-grading of the Sideshow Alley car park to providebasement car parkingunder a new deck, would giveway for a safe pedestrian and cycle access spineextending from Bowen Park and through the groundsto St Pauls Terrace.This strategy provides the RNA with extensive flexibilityand options which will require detailed functional,cost-benefit and geotechnical analysis over the nexttwelve months. The RNA Showgrounds DevelopmentScheme Strategy will need to be flexible to take intoaccount the ongoing investigations into the inner cityrail network, traffic and transport movements and thefuture infrastructure contributions arrangements with theUrban Land Development Authority.