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🇦🇺 Australia /Economy & Trade

Queensland government keeps Visy site deal details secret

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • Queensland's government is keeping details of a land deal with Lendlease secret.
  • The deal involves redeveloping a 7.1-hectare Visy glass factory site in West End, Brisbane, into housing and green space.
  • Key details like the sale price and whether the state retains ownership remain undisclosed due to commercial confidentiality.

Queensland's LNP government is withholding crucial details about a deal to redevelop a prime inner-city site on the Brisbane River. Lendlease will take over the former Visy glass factory in West End next April, with plans to construct 4,000 apartments.

The deal unfortunately is commercial in confidence, and I am not aware of the details as I shouldn't be.

— Jarrod BleijieQueensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie explaining why he could not disclose details of the land deal.

The 7.1-hectare site was acquired by the previous Labor government for $165 million in 2022. It was initially intended for the 2032 Games broadcasting center, but the current government has shifted plans following a tender process.

Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie refused to disclose specifics of the agreement with Lendlease, citing commercial confidentiality. He could not confirm if the land was gifted or sold, nor if the state would retain any ownership. "Well, does it matter?" Bleijie responded when asked if the details should be made public.

Well, does it matter?

— Jarrod BleijieQueensland Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie responding to a question about making the land deal details public.

Lendlease representatives also declined to provide financial or ownership details. Justin Davies, Lendlease's Queensland executive director, stated they are partnering with Economic Development Queensland to develop the site, which will include privately owned and rented homes. Claire Johnston, Lendlease CEO, emphasized that these matters are confidential.

Those matters are confidential and not for conversation.

— Claire JohnstonLendlease CEO Claire Johnston on the confidentiality of the land deal specifics.

Despite the secrecy, portions of the development are slated for completion before the 2032 Brisbane Olympics and Paralympics. The project is expected to feature 4,000 new apartments, open spaces, parkland, and an amphitheater, with 800 homes intended to be ready before the Games.

We've partnered with EDQ to develop 4,000 homes for this site, along with public space for the people of Brisbane and Queensland.

— Justin DaviesLendlease executive director for Queensland Justin Davies describing the development plans.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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