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| A mock-up of the proposed public space in front of the cellblocks. Looks good to me. (Image from this article) |
(Update: The Boggo Road redevelopment page can be seen here)
The changes, also described in this article, will include:
- A permanent new market area on the outside front of the prison, to be run by the James Street Market operators from New Farm
- An 'Eat Street' strip between the prison and the Ecoscience building
- Boggo Road prison tours to stay (hopefully with new tour operators)
- The three cell blocks to be transformed into a museum and two dining/bar type venues
- There will be no accommodation at the refurbished prison
From what we know so far, there are two good reasons for fair-minded people to be happy about this.
Firstly, the chances of the historical component of this public asset returning to not-for-profit management - one of the central demands of the ‘Better Future for Boggo Road’ movement - are stronger. This would be a significant victory for common sense, and full credit to site developers Leightons for engaging a decent community consultant who discussed ideas at length with all stakeholders.
That management could be provided by the National Trust of Queensland, which is something the Boggo Road Gaol Historical Society and myself have pursued for years now, going back to meetings held with the previous National Trust CEO in 2004. I also wrote on the subject here back in 2012.There are questions of exactly how the National Trust would manage Boggo Road, but as a former member of the National Trust council I know there are some very good and capable people involved in the organisation and that they have a strong commitment to community engagement. The range of organisations and individuals that make up the Boggo Road Arts, History & Education Committee are certainly looking forward to the opportunity to help make this happen.
The other welcome part of this announcement is the community focus and the chance to create a cultural hub at Boggo Road.Over 10 years ago I suggested that the BRGHS push for the creation of a ‘dynamic cultural hub’ at Boggo Road, moving beyond just traditional methods of historical interpretation and using a wider range of cultural activities to help tell the story of the old prison. This has been part of the vision of the BRGHS for several years now:
'That the unique qualities of the historic Boggo Road site be utilised to generate a dynamic and innovative hub of creative discourse emphasising the significance of the site, with the core values of redemption, reconciliation and education.'
The establishment of the Boggo Road Arts, History & Education Committee last year was designed to help make this happen. I have also discussed the concept with the community consultant employed by Leighton's during this year and am hopeful it will happen.
If there is a downside to all this it is the ongoing timeframe. I have always thought that the best approach for reopening Boggo Road was ‘do it once, do it right’. Unfortunately that did not happen back in 2012 but there is now a chance to make a clean start with a proper reopening preceded by - for the first time - decent forward planning and consultation. We shall see.
It was back in October 2011 that I (representing the BRGHS) first met Leighton head honchos to discuss the future of Boggo Road. I basically reiterated the BRGHS desire that the whole planning process be informed by actual verifiable facts and not marketing spin. I came out of that meeting with a favourable impression of their attitude, a view reinforced by snippets of feedback received over the following months. With many details still to be finalised, the important thing to remember for now is that there is real hope for a Better Future for Boggo Road, and a big opportunity for fair-minded people to influence what happens there next.
It was back in October 2011 that I (representing the BRGHS) first met Leighton head honchos to discuss the future of Boggo Road. I basically reiterated the BRGHS desire that the whole planning process be informed by actual verifiable facts and not marketing spin. I came out of that meeting with a favourable impression of their attitude, a view reinforced by snippets of feedback received over the following months. With many details still to be finalised, the important thing to remember for now is that there is real hope for a Better Future for Boggo Road, and a big opportunity for fair-minded people to influence what happens there next.