Downtown Q 2025

This design presented a ‘big idea’ with the strategic potential to retain and enhance the best of Queanbeyan while facilitating essential future growth and diversification. The reinvention of Queens Bridge as the extension of Mainstreet across the river establishes a ‘new town’ in counterpoint with ‘old town’ and re-positions the river at the centre rather than the edge of the CBD. This strategy has potential for a different density and typology and has been used to advantage in many cities across the world – Edinburgh was a precursor discussed by the Jury. New elevated pedestrian and event public walkways either side of the bridge place the river at the heart of the Downtown community experience and create a unique and celebratory activity gateway that welcomes as it binds the town together. Subtle level changes along these walkways embrace the waterfront, create a myriad of spatial opportunities and generate positive relationships with the Riverside Plaza and foreshore parks.

Each quarter has the potential for public place experiences of different complexions and focus. Simple yet powerful strategic shifts including the transport interchange on Morissett Street, the opening of laneways and introduction of shared zones connect the quarters to Mainstreet and to each other.

The imagery presented of Mainstreet is less convincing in its proposals for urban form and scale, surface, texture and detail. The Jury considers that a low-rise human scale is essential to the success of the street and that the treatment of awnings and street furniture requires further careful consideration. The Jury recommends that the Rivertown proposal be developed with priority given to the new bridge platforms and riverside connections.