Brisbane’s next big creek and parkland project is short on funds

Brisbane City Council has finalised its plan to rip up a network of concrete drains in the inner south-east to restore Kingfisher Creek and provide more parks, paths and fields.

But it has also sought to manage expectations around the timeframe for the new community precinct, saying council would need other governments to help cover the cost.

Following the success of the Hanlon Creek rejuvenation in Stones Corner, the council wants to revitalise a long-forgotten creek running between Woolloongabba and East Brisbane in the Norman Creek Catchment.

An artist’s impression of how Woolloongabba Rotary Park might look under the changes.Credit: Brisbane City Council

Under the plan, existing parks would be connected by active transport paths, with new nature-based playgrounds, dog parks, sports courts, picnic areas and amenities built around a man-made creek.

The precinct would stretch from Wellington Road, a short walk from Woolloongabba Cross River Rail station and the Gabba stadium – or whatever ends up on the site once the 2032 Games review is completed – to the Moorhen Flats.

Councillor Tracy Davis, the chair of environment, parks and sustainability, said on Monday the area had the potential to become “one of our city’s must-do lifestyle destinations”.

Under the plan, Norman Street would be closed off at one end to allow for the creek and parkland to continue through Woolloongabba.Credit: Brisbane City Council

But Davis made clear the council could not afford to take on the project itself.

“With state and federal governments collecting 97¢ in every tax dollar paid, we will be working closely with them to progress this plan for our community,” Davis said.

On Tuesday, the council announced the state government had agreed to help rehabilitate Stable Swamp Creek in Rocklea.

The state will provide $400,000 in funding and the council $600,000 to complete the works.

“We were prepared to shoulder the clean-up along the parkland, however, state government collaboration was critical given they own parcels of land along the creek,” Davis said.

Local councillor Fiona Cunningham said Woolloongabba and East Brisbane were two of the city’s fastest-growing suburbs.

“Transforming ugly concrete drains into incredible lifestyle destinations won’t just create more to see and do, it will help make our city more flood resilient as well,” Cunningham said.

The council conducted three rounds of community consultation, and received more than 1000 pieces of feedback, before finalising the plan.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner went to the last election promising a 10-year project to transform Kedron Brook in the city’s north.

In the subsequent budget, Schrinner said the council had sought to minimise rate increases amid tough economic conditions and cost-shifting from federal and state governments.

The LNP council has since scaled back plans for more active transport bridges over the Brisbane River, despite proposing further planning changes to reduce the city’s reliance on cars.

The council has yet to put a price on the Kingfisher Creek project.

While Schrinner now has LNP colleagues in power at a state level, Treasurer David Janetzki has warned of a difficult budget in June.

The federal budget is due to be handed down in March, but an election is also imminent, with Queensland MP Peter Dutton hoping to lead the Coalition back to power.