Questions and answers

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linkedin Email this link

What is South Bank?

South Bank is one of Brisbane’s favourite places. It is a place for everyone. South Bank boasts much-loved riverfront parklands with café’s, restaurants and retail, and world-renowned cultural, exhibition and education facilities that host about 14 million visitors a year.

Why is there a need for a South Bank master plan?

South Bank is a permanent legacy of Expo ’88. After 30 years, while it remains Brisbane’s favourite destination, it’s important we plan for the future and ensure it continues to meet the needs of the community in a changing world.

We also need to be sure the existing South Bank infrastructure is fit for purpose.

The South Bank master plan will look at how to refresh and revitalise South Bank, make more efficient use of space, create more usable green space, improve access for people and explore possible new uses and opportunities to align with the vision for South Bank, our changing city, and future generations.

How long will this process take?

In light of the impacts of social distancing on the stakeholder and community engagement program, the master plan timeline was reviewed. South Bank Corporation is working to finalise the draft master plan and hopes to be in a position to release the draft plan for community and stakeholder feedback later this year (mid-to-late 2021).

What will you be asking stakeholders and the community?

“How can we develop a 30-year master plan for South Bank that protects what we love most about South Bank, while also ensuring it thrives as our most recognisable and visited precinct?”

What’s the vision for South Bank?

Our vision for South Bank is for it to be the most vibrant urban cultural precinct in the world.

How much is likely to change in the master plan?

The master plan will look at how we can ensure South Bank continues to meet the needs of a fast growing and diverse local and Queensland community, as well as the needs of tourists.

South Bank will always feature the iconic bougainvillea-covered Arbour, a beach and pools, riverside promenade and parklands, but some may be redesigned, expanded or improved to ensure they meet the needs for future generations.

The master plan will look at how we can make more efficient use of the land to create more usable green space.

It will focus on connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users by exploring streetscape enhancements and road improvements, taking into consideration the potential for new developments, infrastructure and services being planned by neighbouring precincts.

We will ensure the Cultural Forecourt continues to be Brisbane’s premier river’s edge outdoor event space and the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre remains Brisbane’s premier convention and exhibition centre.

We will protect the view of South Bank’s green edge from the river and the CBD. All heritage-listed buildings will be retained and we will ensure there is no net loss in current green space. All South Bank residents and long-term lessees can be assured that their tenure arrangements will be protected.

How can people get involved in the master plan process?

Community members and stakeholders will be engaged at various stages. No matter who you are or where you are – we want to hear from you. We’re looking for ideas – no matter how big.

There are many ways to get involved in the master planning process:


South Bank Corporation will work individually with key stakeholders and establish advisory groups for community, youth, innovation, business and tourism, cultural and precinct partners.

How will Indigenous heritage be considered in the master plan process?

As part of the community engagement program, South Bank will engage with Traditional Owner representatives from the Turrbal and Jagera (including Jagera Daran) communities.

This site, as the location of Expo 88, has made a significant contribution to the transformation of Queensland and the perception of Queensland outside of the state.

The master plan process presents an opportunity for us to celebrate that but also to acknowledge a long and deep connection with the river and with this country of traditional owners.

What environmental standards will be set as part of the master plan process?

We are proud that South Bank is an oasis in the heart of our capital city. The master plan will incorporate sustainability standards that are in line with best practices and we will look at ways we can improve our environmental footprint and create more usable open space.

Who will undertake the master planning?

South Bank Corporation will engage planning experts to assist the Corporation and to work with the community and stakeholders to ensure the master plan we produce is world class.

Will this master plan impact on heritage-listed buildings and venues?

No. All heritage-listed venues and buildings will be retained so they can be loved by future generations. The heritage values of the buildings, spaces and surrounding sites will maintained.

Will this master plan impact on the Queensland Cultural Centre precinct?

We are fortunate to be located next to the heritage-listed Queensland Cultural Centre. The heritage values of the space as a setting for the Cultural Precinct buildings will be maintained. We will ensure the Cultural Forecourt continues to be Brisbane’s premier river’s-edge outdoor event space, and we will explore ways to improve visitor experience and access between the Queensland Cultural Centre and South Bank.

How will the master plan improve accessibility to the site?

South Bank Corporation recognises that better access and inclusion will benefit all visitors and people with a disability, people with chronic illness, people experiencing temporary impairment, seniors, parents with young children and associated family, friends and carers.

As part of the master plan process, we will ensure specific access needs are addressed.

How will the master plan impact on businesses and residents’ access to the site?

We will ensure that the needs of our residents and businesses are taken into consideration during the master plan process.

How and when will South Bank's master plan be delivered?

The master plan will be a thirty-year document. The implementation of the final master plan will remain subject to subsequent South Bank Corporation and Queensland Government consideration and approval.


What is South Bank?

South Bank is one of Brisbane’s favourite places. It is a place for everyone. South Bank boasts much-loved riverfront parklands with café’s, restaurants and retail, and world-renowned cultural, exhibition and education facilities that host about 14 million visitors a year.

Why is there a need for a South Bank master plan?

South Bank is a permanent legacy of Expo ’88. After 30 years, while it remains Brisbane’s favourite destination, it’s important we plan for the future and ensure it continues to meet the needs of the community in a changing world.

We also need to be sure the existing South Bank infrastructure is fit for purpose.

The South Bank master plan will look at how to refresh and revitalise South Bank, make more efficient use of space, create more usable green space, improve access for people and explore possible new uses and opportunities to align with the vision for South Bank, our changing city, and future generations.

How long will this process take?

In light of the impacts of social distancing on the stakeholder and community engagement program, the master plan timeline was reviewed. South Bank Corporation is working to finalise the draft master plan and hopes to be in a position to release the draft plan for community and stakeholder feedback later this year (mid-to-late 2021).

What will you be asking stakeholders and the community?

“How can we develop a 30-year master plan for South Bank that protects what we love most about South Bank, while also ensuring it thrives as our most recognisable and visited precinct?”

What’s the vision for South Bank?

Our vision for South Bank is for it to be the most vibrant urban cultural precinct in the world.

How much is likely to change in the master plan?

The master plan will look at how we can ensure South Bank continues to meet the needs of a fast growing and diverse local and Queensland community, as well as the needs of tourists.

South Bank will always feature the iconic bougainvillea-covered Arbour, a beach and pools, riverside promenade and parklands, but some may be redesigned, expanded or improved to ensure they meet the needs for future generations.

The master plan will look at how we can make more efficient use of the land to create more usable green space.

It will focus on connectivity for pedestrians, cyclists and public transport users by exploring streetscape enhancements and road improvements, taking into consideration the potential for new developments, infrastructure and services being planned by neighbouring precincts.

We will ensure the Cultural Forecourt continues to be Brisbane’s premier river’s edge outdoor event space and the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre remains Brisbane’s premier convention and exhibition centre.

We will protect the view of South Bank’s green edge from the river and the CBD. All heritage-listed buildings will be retained and we will ensure there is no net loss in current green space. All South Bank residents and long-term lessees can be assured that their tenure arrangements will be protected.

How can people get involved in the master plan process?

Community members and stakeholders will be engaged at various stages. No matter who you are or where you are – we want to hear from you. We’re looking for ideas – no matter how big.

There are many ways to get involved in the master planning process:


South Bank Corporation will work individually with key stakeholders and establish advisory groups for community, youth, innovation, business and tourism, cultural and precinct partners.

How will Indigenous heritage be considered in the master plan process?

As part of the community engagement program, South Bank will engage with Traditional Owner representatives from the Turrbal and Jagera (including Jagera Daran) communities.

This site, as the location of Expo 88, has made a significant contribution to the transformation of Queensland and the perception of Queensland outside of the state.

The master plan process presents an opportunity for us to celebrate that but also to acknowledge a long and deep connection with the river and with this country of traditional owners.

What environmental standards will be set as part of the master plan process?

We are proud that South Bank is an oasis in the heart of our capital city. The master plan will incorporate sustainability standards that are in line with best practices and we will look at ways we can improve our environmental footprint and create more usable open space.

Who will undertake the master planning?

South Bank Corporation will engage planning experts to assist the Corporation and to work with the community and stakeholders to ensure the master plan we produce is world class.

Will this master plan impact on heritage-listed buildings and venues?

No. All heritage-listed venues and buildings will be retained so they can be loved by future generations. The heritage values of the buildings, spaces and surrounding sites will maintained.

Will this master plan impact on the Queensland Cultural Centre precinct?

We are fortunate to be located next to the heritage-listed Queensland Cultural Centre. The heritage values of the space as a setting for the Cultural Precinct buildings will be maintained. We will ensure the Cultural Forecourt continues to be Brisbane’s premier river’s-edge outdoor event space, and we will explore ways to improve visitor experience and access between the Queensland Cultural Centre and South Bank.

How will the master plan improve accessibility to the site?

South Bank Corporation recognises that better access and inclusion will benefit all visitors and people with a disability, people with chronic illness, people experiencing temporary impairment, seniors, parents with young children and associated family, friends and carers.

As part of the master plan process, we will ensure specific access needs are addressed.

How will the master plan impact on businesses and residents’ access to the site?

We will ensure that the needs of our residents and businesses are taken into consideration during the master plan process.

How and when will South Bank's master plan be delivered?

The master plan will be a thirty-year document. The implementation of the final master plan will remain subject to subsequent South Bank Corporation and Queensland Government consideration and approval.


Page last updated: 25 February 2021, 15:44