Connecting Brisbane CBD could change city and leave lasting legacy

The gurus behind one of Brisbane’s hottest precincts have backed ideas that would provide iconic connections throughout the city ahead of the 2032 Games and beyond.

The brains behind one of Brisbane’s hottest precincts have urged the city to “dream big” in the lead-up to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, saying iconic walkways could be one of the event’s greatest legacies.

Howard Smith Wharves founder Adam Flaskas and its chief executive Luke Fraser say they supported existing proposals to both extend South Bank’s bougainvillea-lined Arbour and to create of a fully walkable loop connecting the Games major venues.

But they say  that rather than just connecting venues, the arbour should also  connect the CBD’s major precincts – and the  plan they have  commissioned Urbis to develop is unveiled exclusively today in The Courier-Mail.

South Bank’s Grand Arbour could be extended through Brisbane’s major precincts. Picture: Lachie Millard

The idea of extending South Bank’s famous bougainvillea-lined Grand Arbour into a 5km icon – a similar concept to New York City’s High Line – into a green spine across the CBD linking major destinations was first raised by The Courier-Mail’s Future series in November last year. It was widely backed,  including by the influential Property Council.

The State Government in February consequently revealed basic plans for a series of “walkable links” through the CBD alongside its $7 billion venues plan, and then the Committee for Brisbane last week unveiled a more  detailed proposal for a  9km walkway network linking major venues.

Mr Fraser said not only would a network of walkways linking both precincts and venues be well used and a key feature for the tourists who will visit for the Games, it would become one of the city’s favourite features for locals.

“The thing about Brisbane is we love being up early, we love to ride and walk,” Mr Fraser said. “Investing in things like extending the Grand Arbour is something that locals will not only use, but that they will love to death.

“We experience it every day seeing how many people use the Riverwalk. This would change the way people move around the city – and it’s not just about connecting sporting precincts.

“It’s about connecting the CBD – allowing people to walk and ride to work – connecting lifestyle precincts, health precincts, innovation precincts.  That in itself will be an economic driver, and it’s something all the great cities of the world are doing.”

A proposed bougainvillea pedestrian link through Brisbane. Picture: Supplied

Mr Fraser said beyond just new walkways, using the river as a “superpower” would also be critical in coming years as we lead into the Games and then beyond.

“That connection to the river and the respect we now treat it with is something special,” Mr Fraser said.

“Our next stage at Howard Smith Wharves is planning a new pontoon which will have the ability to house things like water taxis, private craft and tourism boats, which will further activate the river connection with places like South Bank and Queen’s Wharf. We see the river as a huge opportunity to showcase the most attractive parts of Brisbane.”

At the  Committee for Brisbane event held last week, advocates pushed for the city to aim to become the most walkable in the world.

A panel of experts including Paralympian Michael Dobbie-Bridges and stadium boss Harvey Lister discussed how the Games could be used as a catalyst to create the proposed new safe and accessible pedestrian link between the city’s major venues.

The new concept map was unveiled at the event to the more than 200 attendees. It  outlined how the city’s three major stadiums – the Gabba, the new Brisbane Arena, and Suncorp Stadium – along with South Bank could be linkedby the new walkable loop.

Howard Smith Wharves founder Adam Flaskas. Picture: Lyndon Mechielsen/Courier Mail

Brisbane 2032 is now emerging as the most walkable Games ever, with almost all of the major events – including the opening and closing ceremonies, rugby, swimming, tennis, archery and 3x3 basketball – all set to be held closely together, and in the heart of the existing CBD.

“The Olympic and Paralympic Games can be used as a catalyst to think about all the amazing things we might be able to do,” Mr Fraser said.

“And having a deadline that we can focus on means there is a huge opportunity to do something big that will leave a real legacy for the city – that’s the most exciting part.”