Revealed: Final design for Breakfast Creek green bridge

Council has released images of how its proposed Breakfast Creek “green’’ bridge will look. Dates have also been announced for public info sessions. SEE THE DESIGN

The final design for the Breakfast Creek green bridge has been released, along with dates for two public information sessions next week.

Construction of the pedestrian bridge, one of four “green’’ bridges to be built from St Lucia to Breakfast Creek, will start early next year.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced five of the bridges as one of his first projects after taking up the city’s top job, but the fifth bridge at Bellbowrie in Brisbane’s inner-west was scrapped after opposition from locals.

They were concerned that bridge would have connected to Wacol, near a correctional centre.

Aerial view, showing the new bridge to the rear behind the existing car, cycle and pedestrian bridge.

The Toowong to West End Bridge has been well received but residents living in streets near the St Lucia-West End bridge were furious, saying it was not needed and would create lighting and noise impacts.

Another bridge from Kangaroo Point to the CBD appears to be strongly supported by the public. Final designs have also been released for that structure.

Cr Schrinner called the Breakfast Creek link a key piece of 2032 Olympics infrastructure and said it would link with an extended Lores Bonney Riverwalk.

The bridge would, roughly, parallel the existing car bridge which already has a well-used pedestrian and cycle path.

“Our bridge will connect business and employment opportunities in Newstead, Teneriffe, Fortitude Valley and the city centre with growing lifestyle precincts including Northshore Hamilton and Racecourse Road,” Cr Schrinner said.

Artist's impression of the Breakfast Creek green bridge.

“This bridge will deliver a lasting legacy as we set our sights on what will be required for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“Come 2032, this bridge will be used by athletes, residents and visitors as tens of thousands of people descend on our city while Brisbane hosts the biggest sporting event in the world.

“While the games may be 11 years away, I committed to fast-tracking this critical piece of infrastructure because providing better connections along our river will make Brisbane an even better place to live.

“We are investing heavily in improving transport connections ahead of 2032 and this includes our other new green bridge at Kangaroo Point, which we will start construction on later this year.

The Breakfast Creek green bridge will make landfall on the edge of historic Newstead Park.

“These bridges will give residents and visitors more options to ditch their cars, with the Breakfast Creek Green Bridge able to be used to access the new athletes’ village and the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge there for people to get to a redeveloped Gabba Stadium.’’

Cr Schrinner said the final design for Breakfast Creek has been reached following extensive community consultation, during which about 800 people had their say, as well as detailed investigations completed on site.

“This project will deliver new and improved paths for pedestrians and cyclists with the added bonus of incredible river views,” he said.

“It will collectively provide approximately 800m of new and improved paths for pedestrians and cyclists to use for both commuting and recreation.

The green bridge will provide better access to Newstead Park.

“We’re extending the Lores Bonney Riverwalk by 175m and proposing a new two-way on-road cycle path from the bridge landing at Newstead Park through to Newstead Tce at Halford St, via Breakfast Creek Rd and Newstead Ave.

“This new connection will provide a safe, separate ongoing connection to the inner city and CBD and avoid the need for commuters and sport cyclists to travel through Newstead Park.

“A key focus of the final design has been to complement the area’s heritage and landscape setting by minimising impacts to existing views of Newstead House and Park and the Brisbane River, with an arch bridge span featuring colours inspired by the leaves of the surrounding Moreton Bay fig trees.”

Cr Schrinner said delivering this bridge would support 140 local jobs during construction, with the contract to construct being awarded and works due to commence early next year.

Community information sessions will be held this Saturday, October 23, from 9am to midday at Newstead Park, and Wednesday week (October 27) from 4-6pm at Cameron Rocks Reserve.

The area is already popular with cyclists and walkers but should be even busier once the new bridge is built.