Brisbane 2032 Olympics: Calls to ensure ‘green spine’ linking venues

A critical plan to link various Olympic venues in time for Brisbane 2032 cannot be abandoned, experts have warned.

An early concept by Urbis for a green spine linking several inner-city venues with South Bank for the 2032 Games

Plans for a walkable “green spine” connecting Brisbane’s South Bank Parklands with key Olympic Games venues by 2032 cannot be abandoned, business leaders and advocates have warned.

Premier David Crisafulli has confirmed the government is considering urban renewal opportunities at the Visy site in South Brisbane and improve connectivity across venues.

And while he’s pushing for “serious rejuvenation and injection of funding”, the government has not yet locked in an extension of South Bank’s bougainvillea-lined Grand Arbour.

Experts have previously called for the Grand Arbour to become a 5km Brisbane icon, extending one way to the Gabba and in the opposite direction through the cultural precinct and wrapping around the river bank.

The South Bank Masterplan spruiked by the former Labor government in May 2024 also proposed significantly more pedestrian and bicycle access through the precinct.

Business leaders and advocates — including long-time South Bank Corporation chair Steve Wilson — are calling for the government to extend the arbour or risk losing out on economic activity brought on by a more walkable city.

Mr Wilson, who is credited for transforming the precinct over 16 years, said the city needed to connect its major venues “like a string of pearls” to accommodate its booming population.

“It’s achieved a huge amount of love and it provides shade and protection, we just have to continue it,” he said.

Committee For Brisbane CEO Jen Williams and Business South Bank chief executive Janine Watson stressed the need to integrate existing infrastructure like Cross River Rail, Brisbane Metro and prioritise off-road safe walking routes.

French tourists Manon Soudaine and Pauline Clement beneath the arbour at Brisbane’s South Bank Parklands. Picture: Annette Dew

Both urged government to act now to future-proof the city and attract investment.

“When we look at the active transport piece there’s a real need to connect them with a way that is logical and safe, the Green Spine then becomes crucial,” Ms Williams said.

“Boggo Rd up through Herston as the main corridor and then branches that come off that -that’s your knowledge workers and the areas they recreate in.”

There has been strong support to extend the spine to Kangaroo Point and ensure any revenue from potential future government land sales, including Visy, be reinvested into public infrastructure.

Brisbane Bold architect Peter Edwards warned the city lacked a cohesive masterplan to manage growth to 2040.

“Everyone’s been waiting since the close of the 100 day review,” he said,

“We’ve had discussions with GIICA (Games Infrastructure Investment Co-ordination Authority) and state development and there are plans.

“It remains to be seen on how that brief is written and what the scope is and if it picks up the opportunity of an open corridor.

“The Green Spine can feature as a very powerful legacy for 2032.”

Mr Crisafulli on Sunday said revitalising South Bank and surrounding areas was critical ahead of the Games, describing it as a chance to repeat the transformative success of Expo ’88.

“We do believe that there is an opportunity for some serious rejuvenation and injection of funding there, and I’m confident what will (unfold) in the months ahead and the years ahead will be exciting for that precinct and exciting for the state,” he said.

An Urbis concept for South Bank and the City during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games

Originally published as Brisbane 2032 Olympics: Calls to ensure ‘green spine’ linking venues