Queanbeyan Civic and Cultural Precinct

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Consultation has now concluded.

An essential component of Council’s CBD Transformation Strategy, is the redevelopment of 257 Crawford Street, Council’s old administration building.

The development application for the precinct was approved in late November 2020. The tender is currently open for the construction of the building with assessment to take place in January 2021. A report on the tender is expected to be presented to Council at the February meeting and construction to commence early 2021.

Design

The design includes:

  • two towers (3 and 5 levels above ground and mezzanine, connected to The Bicentennial Hall)
  • approximately 6500m2 public realm
  • approximately 1450m2 community space
  • 2050m2 commercial space.
  • 4000m2 council administration, including shopfront and public library space (integrating service desk and staff areas into head office)
  • meeting rooms and break-out spaces (for receptions and conference)
  • space for government offices (sold as strata)
  • lettable commercial space (available initially for rental return, then for future growth)
  • gallery connecting office building to Bicentennial Hall and Q Theatre
  • rooftop garden
  • carparking will be provided via a basement car park for more than 100 spaces, 65 of which will be accessible to the public. Carparking will remain free of charge.

More than 40% of the precinct is focused on the community and cultural purposes. These include:

  • community spaces
  • linkages to The Q
  • public domain and breakout spaces attached to the Bicentennial Hall (to increase Queanbeyan’s potential to attract conferences).

An essential component of Council’s CBD Transformation Strategy, is the redevelopment of 257 Crawford Street, Council’s old administration building.

The development application for the precinct was approved in late November 2020. The tender is currently open for the construction of the building with assessment to take place in January 2021. A report on the tender is expected to be presented to Council at the February meeting and construction to commence early 2021.

Design

The design includes:

  • two towers (3 and 5 levels above ground and mezzanine, connected to The Bicentennial Hall)
  • approximately 6500m2 public realm
  • approximately 1450m2 community space
  • 2050m2 commercial space.
  • 4000m2 council administration, including shopfront and public library space (integrating service desk and staff areas into head office)
  • meeting rooms and break-out spaces (for receptions and conference)
  • space for government offices (sold as strata)
  • lettable commercial space (available initially for rental return, then for future growth)
  • gallery connecting office building to Bicentennial Hall and Q Theatre
  • rooftop garden
  • carparking will be provided via a basement car park for more than 100 spaces, 65 of which will be accessible to the public. Carparking will remain free of charge.

More than 40% of the precinct is focused on the community and cultural purposes. These include:

  • community spaces
  • linkages to The Q
  • public domain and breakout spaces attached to the Bicentennial Hall (to increase Queanbeyan’s potential to attract conferences).
Consultation has now concluded.

  • Concept designs and business case

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    In November 2019 we sought community feedback on the concept designs and business case for the Queanbeyan Civic and Cultural Precinct.

    Background

    In 2017, we sought community feedback on a proposed Head Office and Smart Hub adjacent to The Q within the Lowe St car park. Following community input, Council elected not to proceed with construction on that site.

    The Precinct will be located on the site of the former Council administration building at 257 Crawford St. This will free up a number of Council-owned properties for potential redevelopment.

    Council is the major land holder in the CBD and that land is not being used to its full potential. The CBD Transformation Strategy focuses on attracting more workers and residents into our CBD to stimulate activity. This development is the catalyst for that to start happening and has the potential to attract an additional 160 workers into the CBD.

    Concept designs

    Following months of planning and consideration, Council released three options to the public for comment. The options propose different inclusions within the building, with Council having an early preference for option 5 in the business case.

    Carparking will be provided via a basement car park for more than 100 spaces, 65 of which will be accessible to the public. Carparking will remain free of charge.

    More than 40% of the precinct is focused on the community and cultural purposes. These include:

    • community spaces
    • linkages to The Q
    • public domain and breakout spaces attached to the Bicentennial Hall (to increase Queanbeyan’s potential to attract conferences).

    Business case

    Cost is expected to be around $74m and will be funded via a combination of loans, asset sales, development contributions and grants. There will be no increase in rates to fund this project.

    The loan will be a long-term, low interest loan. Before we can gain access to the loan, we need to go through a stringent process with the NSW Office of Local Government and NSW Treasury Corporation.