Newman Government's controversial 1 William Street project has received the official go-ahead THE Newman Government's controversial 1 William Street project has been given the official go-ahead. The green light was given on the same day the State Government announced plans to off-load the old courts precinct for development in to a luxury hotel. The stage is now set for the Newman Government's 1 William Street project to formally proceed after Brisbane City Council approved Cbus's plans for the 45-storey city highrise, despite objections from opposition councillors, during yesterday's meeting. The $658 million project, which is set to become the Government's new executive building, was floated last year as part of plans to revitalise the William St precinct. It will feature a net floor area of 96,682sqm, including more than 75,000sqm of office space and will ultimately house more than 7,500 workers. Construction union superannuation fund Cbus won the contract to build the tower late last year, in a deal that includes a 99-year lease over the land and a guaranteed 15-year government lease for office space. The Government has maintained the building will come at no additional cost to taxpayers. Labor councillors opposed the approval, raising concerns about traffic, proper access for cyclists and the speed at which the development had been progressed.. Opposition leader Milton Dick accused the administration of being a "lap dog" for the Newman Government and of "ticking and flicking" the project. Preliminary groundworks on the site are already under way.