The historic Boggo Road Gaol faces an uncertain future as a public attraction, even as Dutton Park is dramatically reshaped by a new transport interchange and mixed-use development.
Boggo Road Gaol’s Lingering Closure
The future of the heritage-listed Boggo Road Gaol, a site that once housed Queensland’s most notorious criminals and later became a popular tourist spot, is currently under review by the Department of Housing and Public Works. Access to the former prison was suspended in 2022 to allow for construction of the adjacent Boggo Road Village. Jack Sim, an entrepreneur who ran popular history and ghost tours at the gaol for nearly three decades, has stated his tours have been on hold indefinitely since that time.
He expressed concern about the lack of a firm date for tours to resume, especially with the upcoming 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Department has acknowledged the gaol’s importance to Queensland’s history and indicated that a strategic precinct planning process is underway to inform decisions about its future use, including potential reopening and showcasing its heritage for international and local visitors.
Boggo Road Village Nearing Completion
Adjacent to the historic gaol, the Boggo Road Village, a two-storey office and retail complex by Stockwell developer, is expected to open by the end of 2025. This mixed-use development will be anchored by an IGA supermarket and include twelve specialty retailers and ten commercial suites.
The project, located between the former prison and the Ecosciences Precinct, saw Brisbane City Council approve plans for a “boutique commercial development” in 2021, with construction commencing in 2022. Earlier proposals for the state-owned land, which included demolishing parts of the prison built since the 1970s, were revised after community pressure to maintain heritage elements and improve transport corridors.
Transforming the Transport Landscape
The area is also undergoing a significant transport upgrade, with the former Park Road railway station transitioning to be officially known as Boggo Road Station. This renaming, which began in August 2024, aims to unify the rail services with the existing Boggo Road busway, creating a more user-friendly interchange. This change will make it easier for commuters to transfer between the Beenleigh, Gold Coast, and Cleveland rail lines and bus services at one central location.
As part of the massive Cross River Rail project, two new underground rail platforms are being added at Boggo Road. This expansion is set to dramatically increase the station’s capacity, with projections indicating it will become South East Queensland’s second busiest transport interchange by 2036, serving over 22,000 commuters each weekday.
The new underground station will seamlessly connect with the South East Busway and existing above-ground rail station, providing high-frequency links to new stations in Woolloongabba and the Brisbane Central Business District. It will also improve access to the major health, science, and education precinct, including the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the Inner City South State Secondary College.
Construction for the Cross River Rail project at Boggo Road is ongoing, with significant progress on the station canopy and underground systems. The new station is anticipated to be operational by early 2026.
A Hub of Innovation and Heritage
Beyond transport, the Boggo Road area is recognised as a vital knowledge and technology precinct, home to important health, science, and education institutions. The precinct’s development includes improved pedestrian and cycling connections, such as a new bridge linking with the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the South East Busway.
The new Boggo Road station will also feature station art created by Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander artists, celebrating Queensland’s rich cultural heritage.
Published Date 09-Jun-2025
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