Kangaroo Point Bridge opens, but St Lucia to West End crossing axed

Brisbane’s newest bridge, from Kangaroo Point to the CBD, opened on Sunday morning after three years of construction. But in a bittersweet twist, the city council revealed it would build just one more “green bridge” from its initial five-strong lineup.

Originally announced in 2019 as one of five green bridges for Brisbane, the Kangaroo Point Bridge is the second to open after the Breakfast Creek, or Yowoggera, bridge in February.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane City Council had asked for federal funding to open a business case into its Toowong-West End bridge early next year, but had abandoned plans for the St Lucia-West End bridge.

Transport Chair Ryan Murphy, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King at Sunday’s opening. Credit: Neesha Sinnya

“We’re keen to progress the Toowong to West End Bridge next, in partnership with other levels of government, before the 2032 Games,” he said.

“However, we have to be realistic, and due to rising costs, lower-than-expected revenue and changing community expectations, we’ve made the decision not to proceed with the West End to St Lucia bridge.”

The announcement dispels doubts about the council’s green bridge projects after it indefinitely postponed both the St Lucia-West End bridge and the Toowong-West End bridge due to budget pressures, having already scrapped its Bellbowrie-Wacol bridge in 2020, months after announcing the five-bridge project.

The council said it did not have the budget to deliver two green bridges without lifting rates.

It pointed the finger at increased costs from COVID-19, the 2022 post-flood rebuilding efforts, and the housing crisis.

The council also criticised “ongoing cost-shifting from the state and federal governments” for increasing infrastructure costs, but maintained it wanted to work with both levels of government ahead of the 2032 Olympics.

“I look forward to working further with the state and federal governments to deliver more city-shaping projects to keep Brisbane moving,” Schrinner said on Sunday.

Hundreds of people were among the first to cross the Kangaroo Point Bridge when it opened on Sunday.Credit: Neesha Sinnya

The council’s call for joint funding comes months after it asked the federal government for $4 million to build a business case for repairs to the Story Bridge.

The Kangaroo Point Bridge also remained without some final bells and whistles, as two dining venues planned to sit along its span remained closed as the ribbon was cut on Sunday.

The bridge was a drawcard for all ages on Sunday.Credit: Neesha Sinnya

Stilts Dining, an upscale restaurant, and Mulga Bill’s, a cafe serving pizza and full meals, were expected to open early next year.

Speaking at Sunday’s ceremony, Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King described the bridge – delivered with joint funding from both the federal and local level – as a “legacy” for Brisbane.

“The Kangaroo Point Bridge will transform Brisbane for the better,” she said.

The bridge features separated pedestrian and active transport lanes, and was expected to link to a nearly 4-kilometre eastern bikeway when the council completes a Shafston Avenue connection in Kangaroo Point between 2027 and 2028.

The council estimated the bridge would remove about 84,000 cars from Brisbane’s roads annually and reduce travel times for active and public transport users in the area by up to 50 per cent.

Start the day with a summary of the most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up for our Morning Edition newsletter.