Brisbane's flood-hit Riverwalk has taken another step towards resurrection, with construction group John Holland announced to rebuild the floating inner-city walkway.
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk made the announcement on Friday, kicking off the works to rebuild to 850 metre walkway along the Brisbane River that connects New Farm and the CBD.
“The work on this project will commence in May and will be completed by mid 2014,” Cr Quirk said.
The original walkway was washed away in the January 2011 floods.
The new Riverwalk will jut out into the Brisbane River slightly more than the original floating structure did.
"The original Riverwalk was an iconic feature of the Brisbane River and I look forward to the time when residents and visitors can once again jog, walk or cycle along this picturesque stretch of the river," Cr Quirk said.
The new walkway, expected to be completed in mid 2014, will feature 24 hour lighting, separate pedestrian and cyclist paths and shaded rest areas.
The rebuild is bankrolled under the Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements, with 75 per cent funding from the Federal Government and 25 per cent from the Queensland Government.
Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan was confident of the project’s success.
Riverwalk will sit on piles about 3.4 metres above the mean sea level.
“The federal government is making a very substantial commitment to this project, of the $72 million we are contributing $54 million,” Mr Swan said.
“I know how important the Riverwalk has been to this city in recent years, to get it going and get it completed is a really important achievement for this city.”
The new Riverwalk will take people further out into the river for the majority of the walkway.
The Brisbane Central Business District Bicycle User Group welcomed the announcement.
Spokesman Donald Campbell was a regular user of the Riverwalk prior to the 2011 floods.
“During weekdays, the Riverwalk was primarily occupied by CBD commuters which allowed for the development of a cycling culture particularly in New Farm,” Mr Campbell said.
He said the Riverwalk’s destruction forced many commuters to the Moray Street route, which was intimidating for cyclists during peak hour.
The flat and safe Riverwalk corridor would make cycling more practical and safer for commuting, shopping and running errands.
Mr Campbell expected the CBD cyclists would return to the route when the Riverwalk opened.
- Zoe Hinchliffe