Council seeks federal funds for new bridge from West End to Toowong
By Tony Moore
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner is looking for federal funding to resume the stalled West End to Toowong pedestrian and cycle bridge project.
Brisbane City Council cannot afford to build the bridge on its own – it could cost several hundred million dollars – and is looking to Infrastructure Australia and the federal government’s $100 million active transport fund to green-light the project.
A much smaller bridge over Breakfast Creek cost $60 million, while the bridge from Kangaroo Point to the CBD – set to open before Christmas – cost $300 million, of which $63 million came from the Commonwealth.
Labor senator Anthony Chisholm, Brisbane’s LNP lord mayor Adrian Schrinner, Brisbane councillor Ryan Murphy and Watpac chief executive Mark Baker inspect final concreting on the $300 million Kangaroo Point Bridge.Credit: Tony Moore
Schrinner said on Tuesday council was working with Infrastructure Australia on a final business case for the West End to Toowong bridge and would apply for a grant from the active transport fund.
At a media event on the Kangaroo Point Bridge, federal Labor senator Anthony Chisholm confirmed the council could apply for funds to support active transport.
“I think [the Kangaroo Point Bridge] is going to be a good example of what is possible,” Chisholm said, without commenting on the prospects of the application being approved.
The Kangaroo Point pedestrian and walking bridge
- 460 metres long and 6.8 metres wide
- deck is divided into pedestrian and cycling sections
- 12.7 metres above river over a 60-metre wide boating channel
- restaurant near the Alice Street end, across from the City Botanic Gardens
- solar panels will power lighting
- single mast, cable-stay bridge will be Brisbane’s tallest at 95 metres
Source: Brisbane City Council
Schrinner said his LNP administration had seized on the potential of pedestrian and cycle bridges to better connect the River City.
“Our next priority is Toowong to West End and we have now secured the landing site on the Toowong side, so we are determined to get some funding for that project so we can deliver that,” he said.
“I think once Kangaroo Point opens – and people have already seen Breakfast Creek opening – there will be more demand for further bridges as well.”
Schrinner said the benefits of the Kangaroo Point Bridge were not diminished if no Olympic or Paralympic Games events were held at the Gabba in 2032.
Concept designs for a pedestrian and cycle bridge proposed to cross the Brisbane River between West End and Toowong.
“Whether that stadium is upgraded or not, this bridge will stand on its own as an important asset for the city,” he said.
Councillor Ryan Murphy said the Kangaroo Point Bridge provided a new entrance to the CBD from Brisbane’s eastern suburbs.
“It will be the first time our eastern suburbs will have a direct link into the CBD,” Murphy said.
“This is so important, not only for residents in Kangaroo Point, but for residents in Mowbray Park, in East Brisbane, Norman Park and further back in Morningside and Bulimba,” he said.