Metropolitan councils know that liveable cities are made through accessible and safe public transport and corridors, which is why Brisbane City Council outlined the creation of better connections to its largest parkland – to be located in the inner-city suburbs of the iconic Australian city – as a key priority in the innovative Victoria Park / Barrambin Draft Master Plan.
For Brisbane City Council, creating a lush greenspace for residents to relax, socialise and exercise in is just the beginning of its enormous new urban greenspace Victoria Park, with the City not just planning the space itself, but how to ensure it is accessible for locals.
Creating better connections to Brisbane’s largest inner-city parkland is a key priority for Brisbane City Council, as outlined in the Victoria Park / Barrambin Draft Master Plan, which was released in mid-2022.
The 64ha Victoria Park is currently the largest inner-urban parkland being planned in Australia, coming with the potential to create a globally significant destination.
Located within Brisbane’s inner city, it represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shape Brisbane’s future livability, accessibility, inclusiveness and economic prosperity.
The transformation of the greenspace began with more than 51,000 ideas and feedback received from the community during the Vision phase of the project in 2019 and 2020.
In 2021, the northern part of the park was officially reopened as public parkland for visitors to explore and enjoy.
Creating an accessible space
Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner, said connectivity and ease of navigation is essential to the long-term success and performance of the park, with a roadmap to achieve this outlined in the Draft Master Plan.
“In a significant city-shaping move, two new bridges have been proposed in the Draft Master Plan to create improved pedestrian and bicycle access between inner-urban precincts and key public transport areas, while also promoting safe and active travel over the Inner City Bypass and rail line,” Mayor Schrinner said.
“Connecting the inner-city pedestrian and cycle bridge to the east of the park was an important step in creating a much-needed link between the south and north of Brisbane and will mean areas like Fortitude Valley, RNA and Exhibition rail stations are easily accessible from Herston Quarter.
“An upgraded western pedestrian and bikeway bridge would enhance connections between the city centre, Roma Street Parklands and the Grammar schools located on the south to the suburbs and bikeway network to the north.”
Mayor Schrinner said sustainable travel options are already being created, with a brand-new direct access point to the park from the Herston busway having opened in late August 20022.
“With high-frequency turn-up-and-go public transport services planned as part of the Brisbane Metro and high-quality walking and cycling paths available, public and active transport will be an attractive choice for many visitors,” Mayor Schrinner said.
“Council has addressed the strong community support for more direct cycle routes through the park that connect to existing cycle networks, in a move that should improve the park’s connectivity between the city centre and suburbs.
“Electric scooters and bikes are another travel option for visitors, with e-mobility hubs planned for the Busway, Brisbane Metro stations and other key locations.”
Nature inspired links
The park also features a parkway loop and boardwalks, for locals looking to travel at a more leisurely pace.
Mayor Schrinner said the 2km-long and 7m-wide parkway loop will have a gentle slope, making it accessible and easy to use for people with all abilities.
“Weaving its way through important attractions like the Visitor Centre and the Tree House lookout and café, the parkway loop has been designed to mimic the pattern found on the trunk and bark of the native paperbark tree,” Mayor Schrinner said.
“In essence, the parkway loop and key destinations such as the Tree House lookout provides an opportunity for visitors to stop and take in the beautiful views of the surrounding landscape including the Brisbane CBD and Mount Coot-tha.”
Mayor Schrinner said investigations into travel demand and patterns has shown upgraded parking facilities will be important, particularly in the early establishment of the park.
“Our research has shown that not everyone has access to public or active transport options, so it’s important to have a suitable plan for car access and parking in the future,” he said.
“Our proposed strategy to meet future needs focuses on the main car park with additional small car parks and an enhanced car park at Centenary Pool, providing an additional 31 per cent capacity and a maximum of 990 spaces that will be staged over time.
“Importantly, this strategy provides greater access and options for people with a disability and addresses local residents who have raised concerns about increased pressure placed on on-street parking.”
Interconnecting greenspaces
Victoria Park doesn’t stand alone, but instead, complements Brisbane’s strategic network of more than 2,100 parks, recreational spaces and ecological systems.
Mayor Schrinner said this network provides a diverse range of recreation and entertainment functions, with Victoria Park recently hosting the Green Heart Fair which drew more than 15,000 people, and the Brisbane Festival Voices in Vic Park event, which was enjoyed by around 2,500 people.
“Victoria Park will establish a rewilded landscape by increasing tree canopy cover from ten to 60 per cent with more than 10,000 trees and shrubs already planted including 80 native species,” he said.
“New experiences in the heart of the park have been proposed including high ropes courses, edible gardens, water play areas, visitor centre and a new adventure playground.
“The park is also an important greenspace for inner-city residents and surrounding suburbs, contributing to the green lungs of the city.”
Mayor Schrinner said that the parkland will also host temporary venues for the equestrian cross country and BMX freestyle events, strengthening Brisbane’s reputation on the world stage as a city where big ideas and opportunities come alive.
The community’s feedback will help to finalise the Master Plan, which will be released and implemented in early 2023.