West End Archives - Toowong News

New Toowong Bridge Design Includes Overwater Dining, Bougainvillea

Brisbane development group Suburban Futures has proposed a dramatic concept for the planned Toowong to West End green bridge, featuring bougainvillea plants and overwater dining spaces.

Design Concept Presented

The design, created by MODE Design and named the “Bougainvillea Bridge”, draws inspiration from the curves of the Brisbane River. Design director Ari Pitkanen explained that the concept aims to be a genuine landmark for the city.

A key visual element would be flowering bougainvillea plants growing over the structure. The bridge design features separate pathways for cyclists and pedestrians, possibly on two levels, and includes areas for people to stop and rest over the water.

A Community Destination

Suburban Futures director Ross Elliott suggested the bridge should offer more than just a way to cross the river. He pointed to the popularity of the cafe and restaurant near the Kangaroo Point green bridge as evidence that the Toowong bridge could serve a wider community role.

Mr Elliott stated the bridge could be an outstanding place for people to spend time, enjoy views, rest, buy food or coffee, and socialise. He added that making the bridge a destination could also create a lasting income source for Council.

Mr Pitkanen noted the design includes spaces for cafes and restaurants, areas to view the city skyline, enjoy a cold drink, and host bands or community events. The West End landing would incorporate an amphitheatre around a river stage and a public plaza.

Funding Hurdle

Despite the detailed concept, the project faces a major obstacle: funding. Mr Elliott acknowledged that the money for Council to start work is currently unavailable. The proposal is presented as an idea for consideration if funding becomes available.

Council Seeks Support

Council has requested financial help from the state or federal governments to proceed with the bridge. Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner described the 280-metre Toowong-to-West End bridge as an opportunity to improve connectivity between the suburbs and reduce traffic.

He stated it could also deliver a must-do destination for residents and visitors, referencing the success of the Kangaroo Point structure. However, the Lord Mayor emphasised that the bridge requires support from other levels of government to be built. Council has secured the landing site on the Toowong side at the former ABC headquarters, now part of the Monarch Towers development.

Green Bridge Context

The Toowong-West End crossing is one of several green bridges proposed by Lord Mayor Schrinner. Council has already opened green bridges at Breakfast Creek and Kangaroo Point. However, plans for a St Lucia to West End bridge were scrapped late last year, and a proposed Bellbowrie to Wacol crossing was cancelled earlier.

Published Date 30-April-2025

Toowong-West End Bridge Survives Scaled-Back Green Bridge Program

Brisbane will deliver just one more green bridge, the Toowong-West End Bridge, after abandoning plans for a fifth bridge connection amid escalating infrastructure costs and budget constraints.

However, the West End to St Lucia Bridge has been cut from the program, marking a significant shift in the city’s ambitious infrastructure strategy first announced in 2019.

Project Background

The original “Bridges for Brisbane” program initially proposed constructing five bridges over a decade, with joint funding from local, state, and federal governments. To date, two bridges have been completed: the Breakfast Creek Bridge and the recently opened Kangaroo Point Bridge.

Budget pressures from multiple fronts have influenced the decision. The COVID-19 pandemic, post-2022 flood rebuilding efforts, and the ongoing housing crisis have significantly impacted infrastructure funding.

Council highlighted increased construction costs and lower-than-expected revenue as key factors in scaling back the bridge program.

Toowong-West End Bridge — *Photo Credit: BCC*

New Green Bridge Impact

The Kangaroo Point Bridge, the most recent addition, is expected to remove approximately 84,000 cars from Brisbane’s roads annually and reduce travel times for active and public transport users by up to 50 percent.

The bridge features separated pedestrian and active transport lanes and will connect to a nearly four-kilometre eastern bikeway between 2027 and 2028.

Two dining venues along the Kangaroo Point Bridge – Stilts Dining and Mulga Bill’s – are expected to open early next year, adding further community amenities to the infrastructure project.

Efforts have been made to secure funding for the Toowong-West End Bridge, using a business case to support the initiative. There is a strong commitment to finish this green bridge ahead of the 2032 Brisbane Olympic Games while keeping the budget balanced.

Published 17-Dec-2024

Steps Taken to Acquire Toowong Green Bridge Landing Site

Despite a pause in the construction of the West End-Toowong Green Bridge project, steps have now been undertaken to acquire a portion of the property owned by the Consolidate Properties Group along Coronation Drive in Toowong as it will become the bridge’s landing site.

The developer has plans to build a residential complex near the West End-Toowong Green Bridge project. However, roughly 2,365 square metres of the 1.2-hectare apartment development will need to be resumed to the government for the green bridge.

The Toowong landing site will be built on the southeast corner of the property near the Middenbury House. The plans indicate that the area will include a small riverside park with seating and landscaping. The landing site is also going to connect to Archer Street via walking and riding routes, allowing bikers to ride toward the Bicentennial Bikeway from Coronation Drive.

“We have paused our two green bridges connecting to West End while we concentrate on Brisbane’s rebuild and recovery following the devastating floods,” Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said in a statement.

“However, we remain committed to building these two bridges which are strongly supported by local residents.

“Buying the Toowong location now so it is available when we are ready to proceed just makes sense.

“While this is just a small section of the site, the riverside property isn’t going to get cheaper in the long term so making this purchase now is in the best interests of ratepayers.”

Council’s move to acquire the land has downplayed fears that the pause on the West End-Toowong Green Bridge project would be permanent. However, Schrinner also said that Council is working to secure funding for the project.

The preliminary business case for the West End-Toowong Green Bridge project cites that mobility will be much improved in this part of the city once it’s completed.

Meanwhile, a West End-St Lucia green bridge construction has also been paused as funding needs to be secured.