How you can influence location of Brisbane green bridges

Public input will be vital in deciding where Brisbane’s five green bridges will go. Here’s how to make your voice heard.

Artist’s impression of the Kangaroo Point green bridge. Council has released details of alignments of this and four other green bridges. Artwork: Cox Architecture

Cyclists and St Lucia residents have welcomed the alignments of two Brisbane City Council green bridges, but say one landing site at West End was “curious’’.

State Greens MP for the area, Michael Berkman, also cautiously welcomed the news but said The public consultation, which starts this Thursday, was only minimal.

He called on the public to have their say, which could be critical as Council conceded final alignments might change depending on feedback.

Mr Berkman has lobbied for the old ABC site at Toowong to be bought back and converted to park, with a green bridge landing there.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said on Saturday that one bridge would link Archer St, Toowong, with Forbes St, West End, and the other would connect Keith St, at St Lucia, to Boundary St, West End.

But the alignments were not final and could change subject to public feedback.

Information sessions

• Nov 14, 11am-2pm, Reddacliff Place, 266 George St

• Nov 16, 7am-midday, Davies Park Markets, West End

• Nov 18, 4-7pm, South Brisbane Sailing Club, West End

• Nov 19, 4–7pm, ground level foyer, Queensland Multicultural Centre, 102 Main St, Kangaroo Point

• Nov 22, 10am-1pm, St Lucia Community Hall, 27 Guilfoyle St

• Nov 23, 10am – 2pm, Captain Burke Park, 117 Holman St, Kangaroo Point

• Nov 25, 3-6pm, Toowong Library, Toowong Village

• Nov 26, 10am-1pm, Queen St Mall main stage

• Nov 28, 10am-2pm, Bellbowrie Mobile Library, 37 Birkin Rd

• Nov 30, 2-8pm, Bretts Wharf, Hamilton

• Dec 1, 8am – 3pm, Riverside Markets, cnr Alice/Albert Sts

• Dec 3, 3-6pm, City Botanic Gardens near cnr Alice/Edward St

Brisbane West Bicycle User Group co-convener, Chris Cox, said landing at Boundary St made no sense as it was too steep for recreational cyclists.

“We are very excited about the Toowong-West End bridge,’’ Mr Cox said.

“The alignment from Orleigh Park to near the old ABC site makes perfect sense for a cycling and pedestrian bridge.

“It makes accessing the University of Queensland by bike much easier for those living in West End and South Brisbane, rather than having to either climb up Dornoch Tce, or going the long way (Go Between Bridge and the Bicentennial Bikeway).

Artist’s impression of the Kangaroo Point green bridge. Details of alignments for it and four other green bridges have been released. Artwork: Cox Architecture

“It also opens up Toowong Station for access for West End residents to rail, making public transport viable for peninsula residents to Ipswich and Springfield, rather than having to go to South Brisbane and change trains at Roma St.’’

But Mr Cox said the St Lucia-West End location was “more curious’’ as Boundary St, West End, was steep and council’s diagrams did not indicate cycling or walking routes on that side.

He said cyclists would be pushing for an alignment on the eastern edge of Orleigh Park, at Laurence St.

“This protects Guyatt Park from any impacts, but provides a much more accessible entry point from West End for cycling to the university.’’

St Lucia resident Ron Morgan, who has been fighting to stop a bridge landing at Guyatt Park, said he was pleased that appeared to be off the agenda.

However he said that the St Lucia landing should be on university property, as it was the major beneficiary of such a bridge.

St Lucia resident Ron Morgan is pleased the green bridge will no longer land at Guyatt Park but says it should be on university property. Picture: Richard Walker

Mr Berkman, whose seat covers the area, said it was still not clear exactly where the Toowong landing would be.

It could potentially carry buses, and will also take just cyclists and pedestrians.

“Council should make sure the Toowong to West End bridge lands at the former ABC site, which should be transformed into a new riverside public park,’’ he said.

“This early stage is crucial for big decisions like where the bridges will be built, and whether they will carry buses or just pedestrians and cyclists.

“That’s why I would like to see more detailed consultation, longer than the one month window Council has given us.’’

He also called on Council to start work before the 2024 state election, and not in 10 years’ time.

Cr Schrinner announced details on three other green bridges, including a Bellbowrie bridge which could take public transport, emergency vehicles, cyclists and walkers.

It would jump from the river end of Weekes Rd at Bellbowrie to Grindle Rd, Wacol.