How Brisbane River could change our city travel

Brisbane River could become one of the city’s biggest assets in the fight against congestion, with one route potentially cut in half.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Brett Fraser on the Brisbane River on Sunday. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen

Brisbane’s most iconic feature could become its biggest asset under a bold vision to unlock the transport potential of the city’s mighty river and drastically cut commute times.

River taxis would slash travel times from Hamilton to South Bank, with the beloved CityCat taking almost an hour for the trip that takes about 15 minutes to drive.

Provided water taxis were under eight metres in length, they could do the journey in less than 20 minutes, with the Howard Smith Wharves to Queens Wharf section in just five minutes.

Fast ferries could also deliver tourists straight from the CBD to the sparkling islands of Moreton Bay in under an hour.

A report commissioned by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency foreshadowed a potential windfall worth $1bn a year for the city’s economy with more river-based tour and travel options.

The report called for the creation of more river-view bars and dining establishments, on-water activities such as cruises and adventure tours and increased investment in river access infrastructure such as pontoons, jetties and docks to allow easier travel on the marine artery.

Howard Smith Wharves is spending up on infrastructure to take advantage of the untapped potential, while the brains behind the $3.6bn Queen’s Wharf development are also planning for a future including water taxis, with the riverfront precinct featuring the Velo Café and refurbished finger wharves to include scope for small marine craft and water taxis.

A City Ferry on the river

It could also serve as a potential pick-up and drop-off point for cruises or “other river activations”.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Brett Fraser said decades of building “with our backs to the river” were changing, but there were more opportunities to use the river as a key transport driver.

“The river is one of our greatest assets and we’re still not utilising it as much as we can,” he said.

“There’s no question we should have better connectivity on the river as a means to move people around the city, and out to Moreton Bay and the islands.

“It’s a real no-brainer.”

He also said there was an opportunity for cruise ship passengers arriving at the international cruise terminal to make their way down to the city centre via river transport, a view backed by Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner.

Mr Schrinner said there was “enormous potential” for water taxi services on the Brisbane River.

“Particularly with new precincts like Queens Wharf and Destination Brisbane joining the hugely popular Howard Smith Wharves and South Bank, our river hub network in places like the City Botanical Gardens, West End and Dutton Park were built with water taxis and tour boats in mind,” he said.

A Maritime Safety Queensland spokesperson said boats shorter than 8m were permitted to travel at 40 knots (74km/h) in smooth water.

HAMILTON TO SOUTH BANK

By car: 15min (10km)

By CityCat: 58min

By private boat*: 10min (10km)

By walking: 90 min (7.6km)

(* Vessels less than 8m permitted to travel at 40 knots)