A familiar presence has returned to King George Square, as part of Brisbane City Council’s $28 million King George Square redevelopment project.
The six-metre tall King George V Memorial has reclaimed its position joining the two lions, which returned earlier this week.
Neighbourhood Planning Chair Amanda Cooper said the equestrian statue remained within the off-bounds construction area in the square, but its homecoming marked the nearing of the end of this once-in-a-generation project.
“Each generation has a few stand-out redevelopment projects that leave their mark on a city and I believe this project will be one of them,” Cr Cooper said.
“The project is about using world-class design to let people reclaim the square as their space and the city’s heart, and to create a bustling core to the city.”
Cr Cooper said Council had created a radical new perspective on the space with a huge mezzanine structure to the back of the square.
“This is something typically Brisbane – a big back deck under a shade structure made of natural materials to cool down the temperature,” she said.
“And just like a deck it gives you a new dimension and a different outlook - from here you can overlook all the activity across the entire square, look across to the first floor of City Hall, and down Albert Street.”
Cr Cooper said throughout the square’s history, Council had involved the community.
“The design for this project was put out to competition in 2006, just as King George and the lions were the result of a competition in the 1930s,” she said.
“And when it’s finished, a restaurant, café, markets, amphitheatre for live performances, plenty of open seating and shade will make this a very popular community destination.”
The new design is configured for wheelchair access, with people entering at footpath level on Ann Street and either moving up the slight gradient of the deck to overlook the square, or moving straight across onto Adelaide Street.
The project includes:
• Recycled timber for guard rails and railing about the deck.
• Mounting each bronze lion on a perspex light box.
• Return of the Sorry Day plaque, Speakers Corner - Emma Miller, Sir Charles Lilley, Steele Rudd – and the Petrie Tableau.
• 15 mature trees, 10 of which will circle the amphitheatre and the installation of Brisbane’s first green wall.
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