What you said about Mount Coot-tha transforming as part of eco-tourism push for 2032 Olympics

Brisbane’s latest Olympic Games transformation – a Mt Coot-tha redevelopment – has divided opinion. HAVE YOUR SAY

An artist impression of the Brisbane City Council Tropical Dome at the Botanic Gardens.

Brisbane’s latest Olympic Games transformation – a Mt Coot-tha redevelopment – has divided opinion.

The could be transformed into an urban wonderland to rival Singapore’s famed Gardens by the Bay as part of a bold eco-tourism push ahead of 2032.

Sound and light shows, treetop canopy walks, glamping sites and a 170km wilderness trail linking Mount Coot-tha to communities stretching up to the Sunshine Coast are just some of the options being considered as part of a new master plan set to see the much-loved Brisbane locale rival the region’s top tourist attractions.

The push has been inspired in part by the spectacular Gardens by the Bay in Singapore and has also sought inspiration from Canada’s Butchart Gardens, which turned an old quarry into one of that country’s most famous tourist attractions.

What the Tropical Dome at the Botanic Gardens could look like.

The award-winning Brisbane Sustainability Agency has been drafted to spearhead the campaign, which has a heavy eco-tourism flavour in line with the recent release of the State government’s 20-year tourism plan.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Mount Coot-tha was already a “jewel in the crown” for the city but could be elevated to the next level.

“We want the world to discover Brisbane and fall in love with its lifestyle and natural attractions,” he said.

“One of the real jewels in the crown is Mount Coot-tha, but it can be even better by 2032 and beyond.”

Brisbane City Council’s Tropical Dome.

Former Gold Coast Commonwealth Games boss Nigel Chamier, the chairman of the Brisbane Sustainability Agency, said the master plan was at this early stage “a blank canvas” but it would be “wonderful” to see Mount Coot-tha become the region’s No. 1 tourist destination.

However readers weren’t so sure on the plan.

Some claimed it was the latest pie-in-the-sky proposal, while some said the money should be spent elsewhere.

Others suggested the Story Bridge should be a priority, while some insisted it will never happen.

See what you had to say below and join the conversation >>>

WHAT YOU SAID

Seriously?

Frank #2

BCC say they cant afford to maintain the Story Bridge without state and federal government financial assistance yet here they are spruiking this indulgence,

Priorities Mr Shrinner, priorities

Puzzled

A lot of people would simply appreciate lower rates, affordable housing and basic maintenance.

I’ve grown tired of my taxes being used by politicians for their vanity projects.

Lotus2

Sorry, but small minded small projects will do nothing for Brisbane’s international image!

Jack

Fixing the streets and mowing the parks should be the priority

Vortigern

Alright. Develop Mt Ccot-tha to attract all those tourists. But what about parking?

An image of Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens dome.

Lost the plot

Puzzled

All levels of government need to pull their heads in and start doing the core business properly. Where the heck is all the money going???

Frank

Hang on, this proposal comes at the same time the Council has out the begging bowl to undertake maintenance on the Storey Bridge. It seems to me the priorities are just all wrong, particularly as they have built a number of pedestrian bridges while traffic congestion just gets worse.

G1

Awful futuristic nightmare.

Making the mine hole a big swimming pool would be the best option, and it would not inflict visual pollution on everyone.

Donald

How about we pay to fix the Story Bridge, repair all the damaged roads – they’re especially bad after the heavy wet season, mow and weed all the overgrown parks, road sides and traffic islands, and improve the bus system. This article is the usual spruiking by people who are fed by developers looking for a quid at public expense.

Alchemist Gold

Still waiting for commencing of Olympic stadium and now there are plans to do Mt Cootha? Tell them they’re dreaming.

An image of the Mt Coot-tha quarry.

Let’s dream big

G1

In fairness, life cannot stop in Brisbane just because the Story Bridge is crumbling.

Fixing the bridge is way beyond the Brisbane City Council’s capacity to pay, so state or federal monies are needed.

TERESA

Brisbane is growing up quickly. Hicksville no longer. We need world-class facilities and to make the most of our assets. The images look amazing.

Kate

The council had approved an amazing concept to enhance Mt Coot-tha with eco friendly tourism concepts including canopy walks and a green zip line 7 years ago. The small business who developed the concept poured over $1m of their own money into the feasibility, design, community consultation and two years effort, only for the council to renege on the approval due to a small, yet loud community group. It’s a fantastic idea yet there are logistical challenges – traffic (roads and parking), services (water and waste).

LFC

Get it built. Gardens by the Bay is spectacular.

Originally published as What you said about Mount Coot-tha transforming as part of eco-tourism push for 2032 Olympics