The fate of the Dutton Park site, once home to Queensland’s largest and most notorious prison, has generated much debate in recent years given its inner-city location and development potential.

The Cross River Rail Development Authority this week released its development scheme for the 39 hectare Boggo Road priority development area, a tract of land with major transport and health infrastructure that will be transformed by the $5.4 billion rail project.

The scheme will regulate development within the PDA, which the government has championed as one of Australia’s most attractive urban renewal precincts.

The site will include the new underground Boggo Road Cross River Rail station, Brisbane Metro stations and a new high school as well as major health and ecoscience facilities including the Princess Alexandra Hospital and the Translational Research Institute.

A massive 480 metre long cable stay cycle and pedestrian bridge will be built over the precinct to connect residents and workers with key facilities.

“New and enhanced high-quality public realm will exhibit sub-tropical design excellence, providing a comfortable and safe urban environment which is permeable, inviting, vibrant and open,” the development schem states.

“The Boggo Road Gaol will be revitalised to celebrate the PDA’s unique history, distinct character, and sense of place.”

The government’s plans for open and public spaces within the PDA has been a major topic of local debate, with residents fearing the precinct’s fate will be handed over to private developers.

Local Greens councillor Jonathan Sri and State MP Amy MacMahon has complained about the lack of a holistic plan for the precinct and campaigned against a proposed office and retail development that would sit next to the gaol.

However, the development scheme makes it clear that it wants the jail to remain a pubic asset. Local Greens councillor Jonathan Sri has complained about the lack of a holistic plan for the precinct.

The scheme intends to establish the “adaptive re-use of the Boggo Road Gaol in a manner that incorporates a variety of uses that encourage activity and interaction between local workers, the community and visitors”.

It says a Boggo Road advisory group will “investigate and promote activation and curation opportunities for the Gaol, which may include, but are not limited to, temporary uses, events, heritage trails and activation strategies”.

The heritage-listed gaol, a major state prison for 119 years, is currently used for history tours and film productions.