ALL TOGETHER NOW ... sharing views from the national broadcaster's striking new South Bank headquarters are television and radio staff, including 612ABC Mornings presenter Steve Austin and ABC TV news presenter David Curnow. PHOTOGRAPHS . Mark Cranitch

foyer and somewhere to have Eventually, it was decided BAP would 's Paul Barc\ay, who hosts the coffee, and there'll be an move to South Bank, between QPAC and program Big Ideas, Monday to Thursday at 7pm, interactive online presence. the Conservatorium, Grifflth from the new building, says it's good to have This building is saying, 'we University. The not-quite-fmished building is everyone back together again after years apart. are the public broadcaster, looking good, which pleases Brisbane architect "There are all these old mates we haven't seen we are your broadcaster, and Richard Kirk. for five years, and that's another challenge," BC TV news presenter David "After 25 years, I actually have my own desk," we're quite happy for you to come and a have a He and the team at Richard Kirk Architect Paul says. "There's this passing parade of people Curnow loves his new studio, Jenny says. "Coming into this building after look at what we do'." spent a year on a design for the Newstead site who want to drop by your desk for a chat You even if he's a bit baffled by the working in the bowels of one on Mt Coot-tha State director and former foreign but had to change tack for the South Bank one, don't want to blow them off, so I've got a lot of swanky desk he sits behind. It's for the past few years has been a huge change correspondent Mark Bowling, who has been which he thinks is more suitable. 'Hey we must have a coffee soon' arrangements the crop circle-like indentation in for the better. . here for just six months, says community "The new site is fantastic," Richard says. "The backed up." the middle that mystifies David, "The studio here is gorgeous, the building accessibility is a priority. ABC has the rare honour of being both a public As well as radio - 612 ABC Brisbane, Radio Awho is nonethele ss thrilled with the national is full of light and the view is beautiful. The "We will have a program of tours so people and cultural institution, so the location is a great National, Triple J, Classic FM, News Radio broadcaster's new $llO million South Bank other night, we had this line of storms coming can see behind the scenes," Mark fit. We strove to design a building - the building houses television news, ABC headquarters. Still, what to do with the desk? through and I went upstairs and watched the says. "I'd like to see every ."---- _ . - - .- --- ~ that was simple but one that online, Queensland's edition of 730, Australian "Weather presenter Jenny Woodward and I clouds rolling across the city." Queensland schoolchild come lets a lot of light in and doesn't Story and Landline. are thinking we'll get a game of roulette going About 330 ABC staff will be working out of through here when they visit compromise views." Richard Fidler, whose radio program in it," David says. "I've suggested fIlling it with the four-level building when it reaches capacity this precinct. They will have Down the side and at the rear Conversations is now heard nationally, says M&Ms, but Jenny would prefer champagne." in the coming months. Most are already more ofan understanding about of the building, which is rated as the previous headquarters was designed "like a As you can see, the mood is positively bubbly ensconced, although Leighton Contractors is still how their national broadcaster "5 Star" for offIce design under Soviet tractor factory", while the new building at Aunty's new digs, completed under the prosaic completing a few small details, inside and out. works and some of them might the Green Building Council of "makes a positive statement about the ABC as a title of Brisbane Accommodation Project (BAP). The BAP, at 117 Grey Street (corner of Russell end up working in the industry. Green Star Version 3, cultural institution". David Curnow's enthusiasm is typical of the and Grey), South Bank, will also be home to They will hopefully recall the you'll notice funky steel sunshades His colleague Steve Austin, fresh from ebullience of staff. After almost fIve years in a the 100 staff of the Queensland Symphony day they came to the ABC at that create light and shadow interviewing Australian Party leader Bob Katter, small studio at Channel 10 on Mt Coot-tha, the Orchestra, which will have rehearsal rooms and South Bank." throughout the day. The front is equally enthusiastic, with a rider clause. nightly Queensland bulletin presenter worked a 600sq m studio that can also accommodate Getting here has been a long of the building features wall-to­ "When it's fmished, the building will be out of Sydney for fIve weeks while the fmishing performances and audiences. It will be used for road for the ABC in Brisbane, ceiling windows offering the holy fantastic," Steve says. "I like the way it's going touches were put on the ABC's new television recording programs such as Q&A for ABC TV. which was forced to evacuate grail of real estate: city views. to look ... when it is completed. There's a great news studio in Brisbane. Now he has a state-of­ There will eventually be cafes and also a its previous premises at Toowong One enthusiast for the urban vista sense of optimism." the-art workplace and loves it. •• visitor-friendly foyer so the public can get after at least 18 female staff members developed is ratings-winning 612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast For now, some of the beautiful stairwells "It looks good, it feels good and it works a handle on what their eight cents a day is breast cancer. Medical experts found women announcer Spencer Howson. featuring recycled Queensland timber are well," David says. "It's good to be able to see paying for (they reckon it's still about that per working in the old studios were six times more "In 19 years, I have never been able to look roped off during our visit, while hoarding the people in the control room even if they Australian taxpayer). Project manager and likely to develop breast cancer than women out a window when I was on air," Spencer says. obscures parts of the front of the building. But are running around and tearing their hair out former ABC Queensland state director Mike generally, but never found out why. "This morning, I was able to say, it's surmy, there by April, the building should be done and then sometimes. Of course, I have to ignore all that, McGowan says the punters will be welcome. In late 2006, managing director Mark Scott are blue skies, welcome to Friday. Statistically "a signifIcant Australian will do the honours at which isn't always easy." "We wanted this to be the complete opposite ordered the site abandoned and staff were speaking, there are eight foggy mornings in an official launch", according to Mark Bowling. Jenny Woodward is equally enthusiastic, of previous sites because people didn't know relocated to eight locations across Brisbane. A Brisbane each year - I would know that, wouldn't "The Prime Minister?" I suggest. particularly about her new spot in the vast where we were and didn't have access," Mike new HQ was mooted at Newstead, but possible I? - and I'm looking forward to seeing the "Possibly," he says. "And possibly not." Watch open-plan office. says. "This building will provide a welcoming contamination of that land forced a rethink. Brisbane River shrouded on those mornings." this space.

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