Ekka transformation wins development approval

The $2.9 billion redevelopment of the RNA showgrounds in the Brisbane suburb of Bowen Hills has won conditional development approval.

Redevelopment of the Ekka includes plans for a new fresh food market, a refurbished industrial pavilion, new large animal pavilions and a hotel while the RNA (the Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland) plans to sell up to 5.5 hectares of land around the edges of the site for the development.

While the redevelopment of the Ekka will reposition the site as a year round tourism, retail, commercial and residential precinct, the RNA has pledged to retain important heritage elements.

It has also flagged changes to show bag arrangements at next year's Ekka when the industrial pavilion will be closed for the first stage of the redevelopment.

Queensland Planning Minister Stirling Hinchliffe announced this week the State's Urban Land Development Authority (ULDA) had given the master plan conditional approval, saying that maintaining the site cost money but the development would ensure the continued presence of the Ekka at Bowen Hills.

Minister Hinchliffe stated that Queensland "(does) not want to go down the same path as other cities that have moved their shows from the centre of the city to outer areas."

The RNA showgrounds is within 108 hectares of land in Bowen Hills now classified as an urban development area, placing it under the control of the Queensland Government-created planning body which assumes the former local council role of approving projects in urban development areas.

The Bowen Hills urban development area, located east of the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, takes in the RNA Showgrounds, the Old Museum, Perry Park and the Bowen Hills Railway Station.

The ULDA says the 15-year goal for the RNA Showgrounds is to make it a âtrue extension of the city and home to world class entertainment and events -  with walking paths and bicycle tracks linking commercial, mixed use and open spaces.

It says the showgrounds site should be able to be used throughout the year.

The land available for the annual Ekka will reduce 'slightly' each year as the development progresses, but show-goers have been promised minimal disruptions.

The industrial pavilion's street facades will remain intact but the main part of the building will be redeveloped into a convention centre to be used at other times of the year.

RNA Chief Executive Jonathan Tunny said work on the industrial pavilion should begin early next year and be completed by 2012, in time for the 2013 Ekka at the latest.

From next year, show bags would be on sale under two big marquees in an area near St Paul's Terrace, where childrenâs rides had previously been placed while many of the children's rides are to be moved near the general sideshow alley.

Tunny said the industrial pavilion, traditional home to the show bags, had a floor area of about 11,500 metre2 but much of this space was occupied by uses other than show bags.

He said the two large fabric structures for the show bags, with 3,500 metre2 of total space, should be able to accommodate all of the existing showbag sellers.

Images: The plan for the new RNA Showgrounds (top) and the current Ekka show ring (below).

12th August 2009 - EKKA TRANSFORMATION GETS THE GREEN LIGHT