The Delivery Authority has leveraged insights from exemplar global precincts that have successfully delivered enduring economic and social benefits. Broad consultation across the Queensland Government and with Brisbane City Council has been undertaken to ensure precinct planning aligns to the city context and government policy priorities.
A review into global case studies of urban precincts was undertaken by the Delivery Authority and Queensland Treasury Corporation (QTC), with the support of Boston Consulting Group (BCG). This work examined over 60 urban renewal precincts, across over 50 cities and regions globally, to understand global best practice in creating great precincts and their role in shaping cities (City Shaping Levers).
Four City Shaping Levers have been identified as critical to the creation of modern and vibrant cities (Anchors, Connectivity, Agglomeration and Activation). Brisbane has a number of these City Shaping Levers in place, but Cross River Rail and the Cross River Rail precincts have the potential to drive greater economic and liveability returns for the State when these levers are incorporated into the planning of precincts.
The Delivery Authority, in conjunction with the Brisbane City Council (BCC), developed a Local Renewal Area Framework that has informed the vision for the urban context around each of the Cross River Rail precincts and provided three Themes and five Enablers that have informed precinct planning.
These findings and frameworks, in addition to Government policy objectives and priorities for each precinct, have been used to define the vision and strategy for each of the Cross River Rail precincts.

What makes a great global precinct?
The Delivery Authority, in conjunction with QTC and BCG, have completed an analysis of over 60 urban renewal precincts, across 50 cities and regions globally, focusing on examples that align closest with Brisbane.
The work emphasised that the value of projects similar to Cross River Rail are typically locked in upfront and that the need for a clear vision is imperative so that value can be created throughout the precinct’s development journey.
Key lessons learnt from global best practice emphasises the need for a clear vision, early collaboration and robust governance…
- Set a clear goal for the precinct
- Prioritise urban precinct mix and use to include economic, social and environmental aims
- Early and continued input from community, commercial and development experts, and from across Government is critical to a project’s success
- Governance of decision-making needs to be planned for the whole project lifecycle
- Effective development requires focus and expert capabilities from the lead organisation
- Building great communities takes 20-30 years
A Local Renewal Area Framework that supports positive outcomes
The Cross River Rail station precincts have the ability to support broader positive economic and social outcomes in the community. The Local Renewal Area Framework’s three themes, supported by five core enablers which, along with Government policy priorities, has informed the Cross River Rail precinct visions.

