Revealed: Where Brisbane’s newest bridges could go

Council has revealed three possible locations for its Toowong green bridge and three sites for another link at St Lucia. But there are concerns it is withholding vital data.

St Lucia resident Ron Morgan opposed UQ's plan to build a cycle/pedestrian bridge from West End to Guyatt Park, and now Council is asking residents if they like its green bridge proposal which could land at Guyatt Park. Two other landing sites have been suggested as well. Picture: Richard Walker

A popular St Lucia park could be the landing site for one of Council’s five planned green bridges despite fierce opposition to a similar University of Queensland plan.

Three possible westside landing sites for the St Lucia bridge were announced yesterday afternoon and three sites for a Toowong green bridge.

The St Lucia link would cross the river from West End to either Munro or Keith streets, or more controversially Guyatt Park.

Residents spoke out several years ago when UQ announced a similar bridge that would have landed at the park, which Council has upgraded recently with play areas and other improvements.

Local Councillor James Mackay said that, as the former St Lucia Community Association president, he had lobbied for years for no bridge in Guyatt Park.

“For this reason I will be supporting Option C (Keith St to Boundary St in West End),’’ he posted on Facebook last night.

The West End to Toowong bridge would land at either of two places along Archer St or at 600 Coronation Drive, next to the old ABC Toowong headquarters.

State Greens MP for the Indooroopilly-based seat of Maiwar, Michael Berkman, said he supported the 600 Coronation Drive site which he said would be ideal if the ABC land was eventually bought back for a public park.

But he called for Council to extend the consultation period to give people enough time to fully consider the $300 million spend of their ratepayer dollars.

“Council are saying they will only create a detailed business case after consultation on the preferred locations is finished, meaning residents won’t get a chance to see the underlying data or consider all the factors until then,’’ Mr Berkman said.

“Council seem to be relying on some ‘trip data’ showing the numbers of walkers and cyclists who might use each different option.

“They should immediately release the underlying modelling and assumptions, otherwise that data is not really useful in weighing up the different options.

“We also have no idea whether Council is willing to create new parkland to compensate for any losses on both sides of the river.’’

Councillor Jonathan Sri (The Gabba) also called on Council to release its underlying data for usage and called on it to protect mature trees and offset parkland losses.

Public and Active Transport Chair Ryan Murphy said the green bridges would fill in a vital missing link in the active travel network for residents and visitors.

WHERE THE BRIDGES WILL GO

Toowong to West End:

Option A – 600 Coronation Drive, Toowong to Orleigh Park (near Forbes St), West End

Option B – Archer St (mid-block), Toowong to Orleigh Park (near Drury St), West End

Option C – Archer St (near Glen Rd), Toowong to Orleigh Park (near Drury St), West End

St Lucia to West End:

Option A – Guyatt Park, St Lucia to Orleigh Park, West End

Option B – Munro St, St Lucia to Ryan St, West End

Option C – Keith St, St Lucia to Boundary St, West End

To have your say on the West End green bridges visit: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au.

West End green bridges information sessions:

Saturday November 28: 9am-midday, Toowong Library (meeting room), 9 Sherwood Rd, Toowong

Wednesday December 2: 4-7pm, Kurilpa Hall, 174 Boundary St, West End

Saturday December 5: 6am-2pm, Davies Park markets, Montague Rd and Jane St, West End

Wednesday December 9: 4-7pm, St Lucia Bowls Club, 9 Carr St, St Lucia

Thursday December 10: 4-7pm, South Brisbane Sailing Club, 68 Hill End Tce, West End

Saturday December 12: 9am-midday, Toowong Rowing Club, 37 Keith St, St Lucia