BNE Auto Mall is go

Brisbane Airport Corporation's $300 million BNE Auto Mall project has notched up two major milestones on its way to what it claims will become Australia’s benchmark automotive precinct in 2020 -- the same year Brisbane’s airport’s second runway is due to open.

BAC has signed up its first customer, with leading Australian automotive dealership group Sci-Fleet Motors securing a prime gateway site in the precinct near Brisbane airport.

Second, it has formally commenced the land development program that will see the 50-hectare site adjacent to Brisbane’s international terminal cleared from the second half of this year.

The first stage of the BNE Auto Mall complex is planned for completion by 2020, and the site is expected to not only include retail representation from a wide range of auto brands, but a 'world-class' 2.5km test circuit designed by Bathurst 1000 and V8 Supercar champion Mark Skaife OAM.

As we've reported, it will eventually host everything from entertainment, shopping, restaurants, bars, hotels and conference facilities to new-car test drives, driver training and even 'Supercar experiences'.

“We are delighted to have the Sci-Fleet Group join us on the first stage of the journey for the delivery of this iconic project and it is fitting, as the largest and most successful dealer for both the number one volume brand in the country Toyota and leading luxury brand Lexus, that they are on-board,” said BAC General Manager Commercial Businesses, John Tormey.

“The vision for the project remains the same – to provide an unrivalled automotive platform for dealers and manufacturers with the ultimate in test drive experience.

"We know that leading automotive brands are continuing to raise the bar, and this requires a new and fresh approach, a new platform, for how they engage with their customers."

Commercial negotiations for BNE Auto Mall are being handled by JLL’s Ben Koop and Jacob Swan.

“Having commenced commercial negotiations with many of the leading automotive groups who have previously expressed interest in the project in the latter part of 2016, we are pleased with the level of interest in the BNE Auto Mall that continues to build each month," said Koop.

"We are well progressed with a number of groups and expect to make further such announcements in the coming months."

According to forecasts prepared for BAC by Urbis, the BNE Auto Mall precinct will attract about 1.4 million people annually by 2026.