This is a letter from the President of the QRU:
“Dear Rugby Fan,
I need your help – our development application for Ballymore goes before council in a few weeks and I’m seeking letters of support for our aspirations.
Please, please, please – pick up your pen and write (no e-mails) just a paragraph or two supporting the transformation of Ballymore into a state-of-the-art- sports and community health and fitness centre that Brisbane, indeed Australia can be proud of.
Please write your letter NOW – if you delay you will forget! (no latter than May 10th)
Quote Application # A002152269
CEO Brisbane City Council
Customer Interaction Area
Floor 1, Brisbane Administration Centre
266 George Street
Brisbane Q 4000
Please also forward this e-mail to everyone you know or have ever met,
Greatly appreciate your help,
Sincere thanks
Peter Lewis”
In true Reds style, it smacks of desperation and begging (I think that’s how we do our player recruitment). Personally I believe that if this plan doesn’t get through they will end up selling off most of the park for commercial and residential development. I like the idea of the precinct being developed into a sporting hub.
Photos below of the concept drawings. As well as some pics just to remind us all of what the place actually looks like.
<span class="dsq-postid" data-dsqidentifier="2299 https://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/?p=2299">13 Comments
actually, for what its worth, Peter Lewis is the Chairman of the QRU, not the President.
Can we have a link to this concept in more detail?
Those are the crappiest drawings I have ever seen in a D.A. Who did them, Peter Lewis?
And what is an athlete’s village?
grumpy old fool
http://www.qru.com.au/about_the_qru/ballymore/ballymore_redevelopment,65055.html
Reads to me like they’re going to replace everything but the grass.
They’re pretending not to commercialise the site but at the same time, it’s the only logical purpose behind it.
If this follows the standard DA process in Brisbane, they won’t have approval until the end of 2010 (at least).
I thought funding was still and outstanding issue? Are they going to waste a pile of $$$ trying to get DA then not have the ability to build it?
I’m sure Peter Lewis knows what he is doing though, being a successful developer.
Ballymore is costing the QRU a motza every year. Basically they want to create a high performance academy but not call it that. They called it that when they were looking for money from the National Govt.
Now they are pitching it as a community facility because the state government gave them money, and they want more from them, the council and K Rudd.
This application fucked before it even starts – the residents won’t have it.
Is it just me, or does there seem to be a distinct lack of parking despite all of the new facilities that are being proposed?
Well, I’m not going to split hairs about parking, development, money, etc., BALLYMORE MUST BE SAVED.
Count me in.
Army logic may be applied..we had to destroy the village in order to save it?
Instead of playing developer and concreting public green space to make up the $ lost by QRU incompetents like Lewis how about some extra fields for the junior RU clubs- they are the Reds of the future. Everton Park Roosters could do with another 2 fields at least.
Proposals are highly contentious on entrusted public land, with proposed tennants including a private hospital, motel type facility & commercial gymnasium.Illustration greatly misrepresents the actual DA. Core issue appears to be about the QRU having a higher desire for financial success as a landlord & commercial property developer, than success on the field.
Perhaps the QRU should focus on winning footy games to make more money? Just a thought…
Anyway, the land at Herston was ‘gifted’ to the QRU for recreation, not development. Put commercial buildings where they should be (commercial areas, du’h!)and not on public parkland and within a residential community….
What will a fully redeveloped stadium be used for? As Super 14 has moved to Suncorp, QRU says the new Ballymore will be for club matches – but they attract 100’s of spectators, not 1000’s. Do we need a redeveloped 20,000 seat stadium that will remain all but empty? And therefore, do we need a medical centre the size of Newmarket shopping centre/Bunnings to pay for it? Could the QRU just retain the Eastern stand and do away with building a commercial precinct to pay for underutilised stadiums? I’m all for rugby and a vibrant Ballymore – but not a white elephant paid for by commercial buildings that generate traffic congestion and the loss of a quiet neighbourhood.