The recently released draft plan to transform the inner south's Kurilpa Parklands is merely the starting point of a long community conversation about how to best revitalise the area, according to Brisbane's Lord Mayor.
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Graham Quirk came under fire last week for launching the Draft Kurilpa Riverfront Renewal Master Plan at a lunch for developers before revealing it to residents, who quickly mobilised to protest the move outside the lunch venue.
But at Tuesday's Brisbane City Council meeting, he emphasised the consultative nature of the plan, which is at the beginning of a six week public submission process, and said it would be guided by the community.
"This is a good plan, a plan that is a great starting point for discussion and will see real opportunities to blend with the cultural precinct that already exists and it is worthy of debate," he said.
The transformation of the largely industrial, one kilometre stretch of prime riverside land has been touted as the biggest riverfront revitalisation project in 20 years and includes 1.3 hectares of new parkland.
The open space is set to cater for about 12,500 new residents who are expected to migrate to the area as highrises are developed along the riverfront.
But on Tuesday, Opposition Leader Milton Dick said the 1.3 hectares of parkland would not be enough to cater for the surrounding population.
Cr Quirk rejected Cr Dick's assertion.
"To suggest that is just a nonsense," he said.
"There is going to be a very significant riverfront parkland. This is an area that already does have a fairly significant amount of parkland.
"South Bank parkland not far away as well and let's face it, this is the inner city."
The new precinct will link with South Brisbane's cultural precinct and has been described as having a "South Bank style" feel.
Cr Quirk also rejected a series of questions from Cr Dick that intimated the plan was putting the needs of developers before the community.
But he could not say how many meetings Planning Committee chair Amanda Cooper had held with developers during the formation of the draft plan.
Cr Dick moved for the administration to release all documents relating to negotiations with developers and landowners, citing unsubstantiated allegations of "secret land deals".
"I asked was he aware of any secret land deals," Cr Dick said.
"He has admitted he doesn't know if there are any land deals or swaps in place.
"It is simply not good enough to have a developers' lunch, exclude local residents and not be honest with the facts.
"We deserve an answer. The local councillor and the community deserves a full and frank explanation.
"If you have nothing to hide you will bring in as much information surrounding this as possible."
The motion was rejected by the LNP majority.
Cr Quirk said given the current industrial status of the site, negotiations with landowners would largely fall to the state government.
"On the day this was launched I made it clear we would not be forcing out any landowners," he said.
"Remembering this is an old industrial precinct where nearly half the land is industrial base, the state government is the primary source of movements in those industries."
