Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics: Bold ambition to connect major precincts with tree-shaded walking trails

Experts are calling on Brisbane 2032 organisers to begin work immediately on a vital legacy opportunity that would turn Brisbane streets into shade-covered “forests”, including a 9km walking loop to link major Games precincts. SEE THE MAP

Brisbane must use the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games as a catalyst to become the “world’s most walkable city”, with advocates pushing for universal support to make the event the most accessible Games ever held.

With the revamped $2.5bn Gabba stadium able to be linked via a 9km loop with South Bank, Suncorp Stadium and the $2.7bn federally-funded Brisbane Arena, experts say investing in connecting the major Games precincts will be a vital legacy opportunity.

A new concept map unveiled to more than 200 stakeholders at a Committee for Brisbane event on Tuesday revealed the major walking and rolling opportunities the location of the venues offered – with advocates calling for immediate investment to ensure the key loop was developed with full accessibility, shade, lighting and safety features.

LatStudios director Damian Thompson said connecting the 9km between the venue precincts – “where you want to hang out” – needed to happen “with a sense of urgency”.

How the 9km shaded walking loop between major Games precincts would look.

“A kilometre of streetscape a year is a reasonable undertaking in any city, but that is way too late,” he said.

“(Let’s create) deep shade streets that you are happy to hang out in, there are people who are very good at zoning great places and streets.

“We know how to get this to work, we have done it before and let’s get on with it.

“Imagine if all our streets could be like forests every day. Let’s get contracting now.”

CFB chief executive Barton Green said a number of accessibility ideas already raised included ensuring all 2032 event material would be available in audio and braille, and publishing a SEQ pathways map advising about mobility links within Queensland cities and across the region.

“We felt we should be agreeing on regional statewide standards for accessibility supports such as braille sign height and placement in public places,” he said.

“It might surprise and shock you that there is no consistent planning standard for the height of braille signs in public places – something we could fix tomorrow.”

Mr Green also said the 2032 Games had the chance to be the most accessible Games ever held – “more bold ambition, and why not?” he said.

More funding must be pumped into the city and region’s walkways and paths, Queensland Walks executive officer Anna Campbell said, adding Brisbane still had a long way to go.

“We have 6500 streets in Brisbane that don’t have a footpath,” she said.

Courier Mail Future BNE campaign Urbis render showing an aerial view of a proposed pedestrian route from Suncorp Stadium to the Gabba.

“Some of the things that Queensland Walks is really concerned about are all the different elements of accessibility and inclusion that we need to meet and be looking at, such as footpaths, kerb ramps and crossings.

“So we need a pedestrian priority program. That is around $200m a year that we need to be spending. We are not anywhere near that yet.”

Entertainment king and ASM Global boss Harvey Lister said he was confident the city would deliver on its promises as it prepared for the Games, describing Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner as “seriously focused and having a crack”.

“I think we’re in a pretty good position at the moment, with a city council that is very focused – more than it has been focused in the past on planning,” he said.

“In the state government I’m seeing real changes as well, across the Department of State Development, across Public Works.

“We’re seeing those departments actually step up significantly from what we’ve seen their roles have been in the past and now that all the decisions have been taken about the delivery of Olympic facilities, I think that we’ve set in place that approach from the state government for the long haul.”

An artist’s impression of Brisbane Live at Roma St

Paralympian and chair of Sporting Wheelies Michael Dobbie-Bridges called on everyone to have conversations to “change the mindset”, and move beyond just talking about universal design and access.

“We need to stop talking about it. We need to get the right people in the right room where the decisions are made,” he said.

“I think the biggest part of it really is, we’ve got all these venues and we’ve started talking about how the venue is going to look, the legacy of it. Talk about accessibility in a press release.

“But what’s that actually going to mean to people, and do we have the right people?

“There’s people in this room that can help with that. There’s a lot of Paralympians around, a lot of people with a disability … there’s other people in Queensland who are equally qualified to have this conversation.

“And we’re asked when should we start? Well we should have started, and we’ve got nine years to get it right.”

Mr Lister also said it was crucial all sides remained focused on “what works for the city”, and if they did that, delivering world-class accessibility would be in reach.

“I am very confident that the state will also, as long as the city and state are both on the same page with this, the state will also respond to these needs,” he said.