Brisbane's $190m Kangaroo Point green bridge to host restaurant and bar

Brisbane City Council on Tuesday released new concept images and confirmed the Connect Brisbane consortium, led by major construction company BESIX Watpac, will build the pedestrian and cycling bridge between the City Botanic Gardens and Scott Street.

“This will be a bridge that will be a game-changer in many ways for our city,” Cr Schrinner said.

“This is a bridge that will have not only a functional purpose, but it will be a tourist attraction with not only a cafe, but also a restaurant and boutique bar involved as well.”

The 460-metre bridge, costing $190 million, will be the first of several green bridges promised by the LNP administration in 2019 and is one of two bridges being funded entirely by the council.

Cr Schrinner said by the end of 2022 the main mast for the Kangaroo Point bridge would be installed in the Brisbane River.

BESIX Watpac Queensland general manager Drew Brockhurst said the company was “honoured” to be involved in the Kangaroo Point bridge.

“We’ve drawn upon BESIX international capabilities and expertise and combined that with our local knowledge of working here and around Brisbane for almost 40 years,” he said.

The bridge will be fully shaded for pedestrians and will carry solar panels along the shade structure.

Greens councillor opposes

During the last council session, the tender for the Kangaroo Point green bridge was amended to allow for commercial opportunities, despite concerns from local Greens councillor Jonathan Sri over the commercialisation of a public space.

Contractors for the planned $60 million Breakfast Creek green bridge will also be announced this year.

The two planned West End bridges, one to Toowong and one to St Lucia, are expected to be constructed next with the hope of federal or state funding included in the upcoming City Deal, Cr Schrinner said.

In 2019, the lord mayor pledged $550 million to construct five new green bridges across the city; since then, the program has dropped a proposed Bellbowrie-Wacol green bridge.