Making the most of our magnificent river

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Brisbane is a river city. With increasing infrastructure, urban renewal projects and large-scale events already around the river, we’re starting to realise its potential.

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While some tourists naturally frog hop further north to beaches and forests, others look to Brisbane as their first-choice destination. So how can we hold their attention longer?

Brisbane is a river city. With increasing infrastructure, urban renewal projects and large-scale events already around the river, we’re starting to realise its potential.

The recent announcement of five new pedestrian bridges stretching across the river will help more visitors to appreciate the river itself.

Imagine a day that combines Howard Smith Wharves with climbing the Story Bridge. You might walk across one of five new footbridges into the city to see a performance at the River Stage in the Botanic Gardens, before crossing back over the river to South Bank for dinner and a show at a 1500-seat venue in the new performing arts precinct. Alternatively a river cruise followed by a visit to Queens Wharf, followed by an evening at the Cultural Precinct.

The opportunities our river’s edge presents now, and in the near future, are remarkable.

The river can act as a conduit for our city – we might travel on the river by ferry, walk across it over a footbridge, pausing for a selfie or romantic embrace – or simply have it in our sights as we visit any number of destinations.

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It’s our chance to make the river a point of distinctiveness for Brisbane – no other city has an opportunity like it.

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As we focus on building an aggregation of small jewels in our city, rather than one iconic destination, our river remains at its very heart.

There’s no denying we’ve had a mixed relationship with the river. For a long time, it was a source of trade and, like other cities, a dumping ground.

We’ve also been scared of the river, having experienced the recent floods.

But as a city we’ve the regulatory smarts and attitude to create greater connectivity for the future.

As we imagine more river infrastructure, think floating stages, pools and islands as temporary or movable devices during tourist seasons, we’re creating a more vibrant destination for visitors.

It’s our chance to make the river a point of distinctiveness for Brisbane – no other city has an opportunity like it.

This article was originally published by the Courier Mail, click here to read on.