Brisbane’s new Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner outlined his vision for a cleaner, greener and more active city – including five new green bridges – after his colleagues endorsed him to take over from long-serving Lord Mayor Graham Quirk.
Cr Schrinner will become Brisbane’s 17th Lord Mayor – and one of the youngest ever – when he is officially appointed at a special Council meeting next Monday, 8 April.
He said his Lord Mayoralty would be driven by a focus on building the critical infrastructure our city needs and protecting our unique lifestyle and green space.
“Brisbane is the best city in Australia to live and work, and we have a responsibility to keep building on the great work that’s taken place under Graham Quirk’s leadership,” he said.
“That’s why I am announcing a plan for five new green bridges to help reduce traffic congestion and dramatically improve Brisbane’s cross-river connectivity.
“This will be a major program costing at least $550 million aimed at tackling traffic congestion, improving public and active transport and creating a healthier, more active city.
“I’m also going to be a Lord Mayor who champions extra parks for Brisbane, and works to increase our green space. I plan to spearhead the biggest investment in parks and green space our city has ever seen.
“To me, this ‘clean, green agenda’ is a natural extension of the work I have done over the last three years leading the Brisbane Metro project and rolling out new bike paths and cycling infrastructure across the city.
“Making it even easier for people to get around our city by public transport, cycling or on foot, is going to be a key theme of my time as Lord Mayor.”
The new bridges include the already announced Kangaroo Point to CBD river crossing, as well as Toowong to West End, St Lucia to West End, Breakfast Creek and Bellbowrie.
Council will contribute at least two-thirds of the cost of these bridges and will allocate initial funding in the next Council Budget in June. It would also seek contributions from the State and Federal Governments, he said.
Cr Schrinner said he was “deeply humbled” to be elected by his colleagues to take over the role of Lord Mayor when Cr Quirk retires.
“I love this city. I was born here, I grew-up here and now I’m raising my own family here. Brisbane is in my blood,” Cr Schrinner said.
“My goal as Lord Mayor will be simple – to make sure the Brisbane of tomorrow is even better than the Brisbane of today.”
He paid tribute to Cr Quirk for his leadership of the city and 34 years’ service to Brisbane, including eight as Lord Mayor.
“I could not have had a better mentor, teacher and friend to prepare me for the important job of Lord Mayor. I’ve learned so much from him over eight years serving by his side, and I thank him for being so generous with his time and his wisdom over those years.
“I congratulate Cr Krista Adams on her election as Deputy Mayor. I know that, together with our experienced team, we will continue the tradition of stable and reliable leadership that Brisbane people deserve and have come to expect from us.”
Details of the five new green bridges
- Kangaroo Point Green Bridge – Pedestrian/cycle bridge. Council is currently undertaking a business case.
- Toowong to West End Green Bridge – potential pedestrian/cycle/public transport bridge.
- St Lucia to West End Green Bridge – potential pedestrian/cycle/public transport bridge
- Breakfast Creek Green Bridge – Pedestrian/cycle bridge connecting Kingsford Smith Drive Riverwalk into the existing Riverwalk network.
- Bellbowrie Green Bridge – potential pedestrian/cycle/public transport bridge, with emergency access.
These new green bridges will be complemented by next year’s conversion of Victoria Bridge to a green bridge for the Brisbane Metro with additional space for pedestrians and cyclists.
The Neville Bonner Bridge will be built by Star to connect Queen’s Wharf Brisbane to South Bank for pedestrians.
Originally published by Brisbane Development here.
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