Port of Brisbane (PBPL) funded and delivered the AUD$177million Brisbane International Cruise Terminal (BICT) in mid-2020; vital tourism infrastructure to grow Queensland’s cruise industry. While the cruise industry indicated strong growth potential for Brisbane (Queensland’s capital), existing facilities could not accommodate larger cruise vessels (>270 meters); without a new terminal, these vessels could bypass Brisbane altogether. A sustainable approach to all aspects of the project ensures it has, and will continue to, deliver long-term benefits to the cruise industry and to Queensland.
The building design includes the following features:
- Orientation, natural lighting and sun shading maximizes natural light and improves user experience, while reducing artificial energy sources and pollution
- Building design supports potential future expansion, natural ventilation and maximizes operational flexibility
- Building materials minimized by optimizing structural systems and consolidating service-intensive spaces
- Sub-tropical landscaping and water sensitive design characterizes outdoor spaces; living greenery cools public spaces and reduces heat island effect of terminal
- Future energy (photovoltaic panels, battery storage) and solar harvesting integration considered in base design
- Sea level rise and river flooding resilience
At the same time, in terms of environmental performance, highlights include:
- Material reuse – 300,000m3 material from dredging used for filling and surcharging requirements; with any excess material at the end of surcharging subsequently re-used on other PBPL development projects
- Capital dredging requirements eliminated by using existing marine infrastructure (swing basin and channel)
- 800kW rooftop solar system provides shaded carparking for passengers, generating 1300MWh power annually and reducing building’s energy draw from the grid
- Electric Vehicle charging stations for public use
Engagement and collaboration with cruise industry, government, local residents and key stakeholders has been inherent to the project to ensure design meets operational needs.
In terms of economic performance:
- 245 construction jobs supported annually
- Local construction firms and sub-contractors
- Formal partnership with local government to promote regional tourism
- Indigenous artwork featured
- Over 20 years post-COVID, forecast to triple Brisbane’s cruise industry:
- support 3,750 jobs
- bring over 760,000 visitors annually
- contribute $1.3 billion in net expenditure into the Brisbane economy.