Future Brisbane: ‘Secret weapon’ that could see city raise its tourism game

Brisbane has something in abundance that Aussie capitals such as Sydney and Melbourne just can’t match, Mayor Adrian Schrinner says, and the city could use it as a major drawcard to lure tourists from rival destinations.

Brisbane should be marketed as a green tourism destination, with Adrian Schrinner declaring the city’s clean and sustainable lifestyle its “secret weapon”.

The Lord Mayor said Brisbane’s natural assets including wetlands, bushland, inner-city green spaces full of wildlife set it apart from the heavily-congested southern Australian cities Sydney and Melbourne.

“When people from overseas think about Australia they think about nature, and in that context Brisbane is the most Australian place in the world,” he said.

“Sydney might have an Opera House. Melbourne has a few laneways, but Brisbane is a much better mixture of a modern city with a warm climate and an incredible outdoor lifestyle.

“Brisbane residents enjoy an incredible lifestyle with so many natural assets on our doorstep or nearby. These natural assets really set us apart and are a selling point for our city.”

Roma St Parklands is one of a number of large green spaces in the inner city.

About 80 per cent of Brisbane residents live in suburbs with more than 20 per cent tree cover – a huge leap from those down south, with about 44 per cent in Sydney and 30 per cent in Melbourne.

Precincts such as Howard Smith Wharves, the delivery of Victoria Park as an inner-city oasis and the restoration of Oxley Creek as a recreation reserve would only make the city’s green credentials stronger, the Lord Mayor said.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner. Picture: Liam Kidston

“Brisbane is the fastest growing capital city in Australia because residents from major southern cities are keen for a slice of our great lifestyle and strong local economy,” he said.

“Our incredible entertainment and party precincts like Howard Smith Wharves, Southbank and Fortitude Valley are helping get Brisbane recognised globally as a great place to visit.

“Time Magazine and travel bible Frommer’s have both acknowledged Brisbane as a must-see destination and having Australia’s best hotel in the Calile and best restaurant in Agnes will just help enhance our status.

About 80 per cent of Brisbane residents live in suburbs with more than 20 per cent tree cover. Pic Chris Higgins

“These accolades are critical to our success but I believe our growing reputation as a clean, green and sustainable destination will be what really sells Brisbane to the world and makes us a top tourism destination.”

Mr Schrinner said the Brisbane City Council had also partnered with Greening Australia to plant a million native trees before 2032.

“Our clean, green and sustainable approach is helping ensure Brisbane keeps getting better and the rest of the world is keen to discover why,” he said.