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Build a bridge, get over it: Green crossing claims coveted Toowong site

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has announced the alignment of two new bridges across the Brisbane River, one of which will anchor at the old ABC studios.

May 18, 2021, updated May 18, 2021
An artist's impression of the proposed green bridge at Toowong. (Supplied)

An artist's impression of the proposed green bridge at Toowong. (Supplied)

On ABC Radio this morning, Schrinner said the two bridges would provide additional river crossings to ease traffic around Toowong and the University of Queensland, and more commuting options for West End residents. As green bridges, they would only carry pedestrians, cyclists and scooters.

With two other green bridges already in the works downstream, Schrinner said council’s next priority would be a bridge from Orleigh Park at West End to the old ABC studios site at Toowong.

The ABC vacated its former studios at Toowong almost 15 years ago due to fears of a cancer cluster. While the land has been remediated, the site has remained undeveloped. (AAP Image/Dave Hunt, File)

Consolidated Properties recently purchased the Toowong site for $43.5 million with plans for apartment towers. Schrinner said the council would work with the company, which knew the site was being considered for such a bridge due to its prime location at the end of Coronation Drive and near shops and public transport.

“That was far and away the preferred location there,” Schrinner said.

While Schrinner said 83 per cent of survey respondents backed that alignment, only 64 per cent supported the other proposal, a pedestrian bridge from Orleigh Park at West End to Guyatt Park at St Lucia.

Business cases will be completed by the end of the year.

“Now it’s about optimising the design of the two bridges and working with the community going forward,” Schrinner said.

Brisbane City Council has committed more than $500 million to new green bridges, including the two proposals at West End, but will need funding from the state and federal governments to complete them all.

Work will start on green bridges at Kangaroo Point and Breakfast Creek later this year, to be completed by 2023.

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