The group, which includes a cross section of education, retail, recreation, health and commercial representatives, has worked together to develop a Statement of Opportunity for the area. 

The document outlines a future vision for the precinct to be more globally competitive and highlights opportunities around three key themes: connectivity, sustainability and identity.

“Our individual businesses and functions are highly respected within our industries, however, we are yet to realise the full potential we can achieve through collaboration,” the stakeholder group outlined in the Statement of Opportunity.

“As Brisbane continues to grow, and its global connections strengthen, we are keen to take an active role in cementing our future as a leader in the Brisbane economy.”

The document follows a Global Precincts vision developed by the city’s economic development board, Brisbane Marketing and Brisbane City Council, which identified the Upper Mt Gravatt and Eight Mile Plains area as one of eight priority precincts that have the greatest current potential to raise Brisbane’s status as a new world city. 

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said that as a key priority of the Brisbane 2022 New World City Action plan, Brisbane’s Global Precincts approach outlined the opportunity to partner with investors and stakeholders to drive long term prosperity for major economic precincts.

“Upper Mt Gravatt and Eight Mile Plains was identified as a priority precinct due to its concentration of key growth sectors including advanced manufacturing and knowledge-based industries and the long-established Brisbane Technology Park,” Cr Quirk said.

“Contributing $2.1 billion to the Brisbane economy annually and providing over 30,000 jobs, this area also has a significant presence of academic institutions, and health and recreation facilities, as well as its alignment to the Brisbane Metro.

“The Brisbane Metro will provide a further catalyst for growth, alongside other opportunities for stakeholders to collaboratively develop the precinct’s identity, attract investment and enhance its global reach.”

A great example of an advanced manufacturing company based in the precinct is Cook Medical, which manufactures and exports medical devices for global markets. With consistent growth for almost 40 years, the company was recently awarded the 2018 Lord Mayor’s Business Award for New Investment in Brisbane.

The Upper Mt Gravatt and Eight Mile Plains stakeholder group currently comprises: BTP Workspaces, Graystone, Griffith University, Metro South Health, OPD, Scentre Group, Stadiums Queensland, Brisbane City Council and Brisbane Marketing.