ALL THAT GLITTERS IS NOT GOOD
Celebrate Brisbane
QUEEN'S WHARF - SHAPING THE FUTURE OF BRISBANE
Advertising Feature
The problem we face as a community is not whether we like or
dislike the buildings proposed for the new casino complex in Brisbane, but
whether the development is appropriate for the location nominated in the
invitation documents. The architectural character of the schemes by both
proponents is typical of recent casinos the world over – flamboyant,
attention-seeking, quirky, outrageous; i.e. ‘Las Vegas’ style.
Casino operators know their market and understandably have
buildings designed, (not usually by local architects), which will appeal to
their client groups, namely holiday makers, gamblers, and locals seeking a good
night out.
Las Vegas is a casino city; Brisbane is not. Had successive
State Governments made use of the urban and regional planning, and
architectural expertise available in both the State Government and Local
Authorities, we may not be facing the prospect of a casino complex being the
‘front door’ of our city.
In the modern era, casino cities such as Las Vegas and Reno
were defined by gambling and entertainment that funded cheap accommodation and
meals for the visitors.
In Australia, we took a different path. The West Point
casino in Hobart marked the beginning of legalised gambling in this country. It
was located well away from the CBD and government buildings. This was true also
of the Gold Coast casino. The Melbourne casino complex too, has its own
precinct that does not impact unfavourably on the government, cultural,
educational and commercial components of the city. It is not the face of
Melbourne; it is simply an ‘add on.’
The casino stands at the intersection of the government, business, commercial and cultural precincts.
Sadly this is not the case for the Brisbane proposal. The
site selected by the previous Government is at the junction of the government,
business, commercial and cultural precincts, with the major educational complex
of the Queensland University of Technology on the doorstep. Advice given by
concerned professionals at the time the offer to proponents was being
formulated was disregarded.
It would appear that the brief to proponents was not underpinned
by studies in traffic, urban and regional, and infrastructure planning; that it
was more an ideas competition without a guiding and controlling brief.
Casual observers of the current proposal could be forgiven
for not being aware that the building with the large rounded façade that
visually anchors the development at the Parliament House end of the site is, in
fact, the government administration building currently under construction.
Although the architectural expression of this anchor is not as flamboyant as
the casino buildings, it certainly seems to be an integral component of the
final development.
The government administration tower (right) completes the set of towers around the central casino drum
The winning bidder has been careful to establish the
connection by featuring this administration building in the extensive
advertising for its proposal: ‘Queens’s Wharf - Shaping the future of
Brisbane.’
Do we seriously want our State government administration
building to be seen as an adjunct to a casino complex? Is this linkage between
big money, gambling, and the activities of government the sign of a healthy
democracy?
Imagine a casino complex abutting the British houses of
Parliament in London with the government providing the land. It would be completely out of character and culturally
offensive.
How does our situation in Brisbane differ?
The State Government administration building is the tower on the right.
The casino is directly adjacent to it.
Both developments overlook one another and share the same precinct and identity.
The proposed site is currently referred to as the ‘George
Street Government Precinct,’ and is currently home to historically significant
and prize-winning modern buildings. Is it now to be renamed ‘Casino City’?
Full page advertisement from Q Weekend 29 August 2015
Pages 37 - 44 of this publication were 'Brought to You by Echo Entertainment'
It is interesting to note that the successful proponent is
spending big money on advertising its proposition. Why? Is the bidder unsure of
the way forward, or is it trying to woo the doubters? Perhaps there is an
opportunity to obtain a better outcome?
The State Government administration building is the tower on the right.
No doubt the government response to these comments will be:
“It’s too late. Why were these issues not raised earlier?” The facts are that
valid concerns were raised but politicians of all persuasions seem to have
difficulty in accommodating unbiased professional advice when they are
presented with commercially attractive propositions that cater to the majority.
Razzamatazz usually wins over informed decision making.
Our community is entitled to be concerned about the built
form of our city. If we build a casino on the most prominent site the city has
to offer, i.e. next to the major building housing our government departments
adjacent to our parliament house, we will send the wrong message to
international investors, visitors and our own community.
By all means keep the winning bidder, but a more appropriate
location for a casino complex must be considered.
Where might a new casino in Brisbane be located? There are the large, unsightly railway yards adjacent to the Transit Centre in Roma Street that could be built over in the same way that Federation Square in Melbourne was developed to conceal a mess of railway lines. Then there is Hamilton, where the freeway-free edge of the river offers grand possibilities too. Brisbane is not short of alternative sites that will allow its civic identity to be maintained, indeed enriched, overcoming the current circumstance that creates a casino core as its heart.
Edwin Codd BArch
(Hons), LFAIA, FDIA
Past President, RAIA Qld Chapter
Inaugural Head of the School of the Built Environment QUT
Board of Architects, Architect of the Year 2000
Past Chairman of the Design Council Queensland
Member of the Hall of Fame, Design Institute of Australia
NOTE:
For more on the government administration building, see:
http://voussoirs.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/queenslands-power-tower.html
For more on the casino proposal, see:
http://voussoirs.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/brisbanes-new-casino-proposal-approved.html
For more on the casino proposal, see:
http://voussoirs.blogspot.com.au/2015/09/brisbanes-new-casino-proposal-approved.html
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