Plans lodged for new Brisbane Riverwalk

Plans have been lodged for a floating pedestrian and cyclist riverwalk in Brisbane, linking the existing City Reach boardwalk to the City Botanic Gardens' Bunya Way.

Brisbane City Council first announced its plans for what it called the “missing link” in Brisbane’s Riverwalk in February and the development application for the project was submitted on Wednesday.

The assessment report submitted as part of the development application said the upgrade was to cater for current and forecasted pedestrian and cycle volumes by creating more accessible, desirable and safe public assets for the growing population.

The application stated “the proposed works will create an overall benefit to the location by providing a more user-friendly, and safer bikeway connection.

“Currently, the existing pathway network connecting the Eagle Street Pier with the Brisbane Botanic Gardens is achieved via the City Reach Boardwalk and the corner of Alice Street and Edward Street.

“The existing route is identified as a major conflict point due to the narrow pathways and poor sight lines at the Brisbane Botanic Gardens entrance.

“The infrastructure has not been designed to accommodate the capacity of the existing active transport network.

“Accordingly, council proposes the Botanic Gardens Riverwalk to rectify the safety and connectivity issue and to provide for improved active transport infrastructure.”

The development permit was seeking approval for tidal and building work on a Queensland heritage place.

The project would be funded as part of the council's $100 million Better Bikeways for Brisbane program.

The application said there was six concept designs investigated and assessed with these all contributing to the three preliminary design before the final design was reached.

In February, the Council said construction was expected to be completed in late 2019.

Images: Images lodged as part of a development application for a riverwalk in Brisbane. Courtesy of Brisbane City Council/ARUP