Council unveils City Reach Waterfront Masterplan

Plans to revitalise Brisbane’s waterfront, including with “floating restaurants and bars”, would see a 1.2km stretch from the Botanic Gardens to Howard Smith Wharves “evolve”, according to Council. But they would also make the Eagle St river walk off limits for years. SEE WHAT’S PLANNED

Eagle Street river walk would be closed for two years as part of a vision to revitalise Brisbane’s waterfront with “floating restaurants and bars” and wider, greener promenades.

Brisbane City Council has unveiled its City Reach Waterfront Masterplan which aims to “evolve” the 1.2km of river frontage stretching from the Botanic Gardens to Howard Smith Wharves.

Brisbane Waterfront redevelopment revealed for Eagle Street Pier

The plan details “Council’s vision” for the popular space, which has been inspired by 22 world-class waterfront destinations as well as Brisbane community feedback.

“Key features of the plan include … new river access points, additional shade trees, enhanced public spaces at Admirality Park and Customs House Park,” Brisbane Deputy Mayor Krista Adam said.

Artist impressions show kayak mooring points as well as river access points for pedestrians.

“Temporary floating restaurants and bars and more river access infrastructure” were also in the plans, Cr Adams said.

The river walk promenade would also be widened to at least six metres – from its current width of four metres – to address pinch points for cyclists and pedestrians.

“This is going to be shared path, not a veloway or a commuter pathway,” Cr Adams said.

“So you can walk, saunter, scooter, bike or sit and enjoy in any different aspect of the river front.”

Artist impressions of part of the waterfront show kayak mooring points as well as river access points for pedestrians to “get down and touch the water”.

Council’s masterplan divides Brisbane’s waterfront precinct into three sections boasting different development prerogatives and responsibilities.

The Waterfront masterplan, which comprises more than $700 million dollars of real estate, “will be a joint approach between, council state government and private enterprise” – including a $2.1 billion redevelopment of Eagle Street Pier by Dexus called “Waterfront Brisbane”.

Dexus’ development would close the river walk for at least two years, between 2022 and 2024, in order to reshape the area with two glass-fronted mixed-use towers, riverfront dining, retail space and reinvigorated public spaces.

Dexus lodged its development application in June this year and is currently in consultation with council, after receiving state government approval last year.

The three waterfront sections.

“We will be looking at all the alternatives about how we get through and around the precinct during the construction phase,” Cr Adams said.

“At the end we will be bringing more feet to the streets and more people to the dining precincts.”

Council’s masterplan divides Brisbane’s waterfront precinct into three sections boasting different development prerogatives and responsibilities: The Port Office section, from the Botanic Gardens to Riverside centre on Eagle street; the Customs House section, from Customs House to Howard lane; and the Admiralty section which links admiralty Park with Howard Smith Wharves.

Each section will be developed with specific prerogatives and design goals tailored to surrounding infrastructure.