Waterplay, nature playgrounds and multi-use sport courts are part of the plan to transform one of Brisbane’s most heavily urbanised creek catchments into a vibrant corridor of parks.
The Kingfisher Creek corridor concept plan has been unveiled by Brisbane City Council following three rounds of community consultation and more than 1,000 pieces of feedback.
The one-kilometre Kingfisher Creek corridor runs between Woolloongabba and East Brisbane and is the next stage of the Norman Creek Master Plan, which includes the award-winning transformation of Hanlon Park in Stones Corner.
“Brisbane is renowned for its lifestyle and our natural waterways and parkland are a key part of that,” said Chair for Environment, Parks and Sustainability, Tracy Davis.
“Just like we transformed an ugly concrete drain into an award-winning destination at Hanlon Park, Kingfisher Creek has the potential to become one of our city’s must-do lifestyle destinations.
“With State and Federal Governments collecting 97 cents in every tax dollar paid, we will be working closely with them to progress this plan for our community.”
The final Kingfisher Creek concept plan aims to create more to see and do, including:
- restored natural waterway
- waterplay
- nature playground
- dog parks
- multi-use sports courts
- picnic areas
- shaded areas
- new and upgraded lighting
- public toilets
- pedestrian and cyclist crossings
This project connects a series of “stepping stone” parks along the Norman Creek corridor linked by pathways allowing people to travel from the inner east into the CBD.
While the Norman Creek corridor is one of the city’s most heavily urbanised catchments, the Norman Creek Master Plan aims to return it to its natural state.
The restoration of Kingsfisher Creek would return water flow from underground concrete drains to an above ground waterway, improving flood resilience and create a natural space for families to enjoy Brisbane’s incredible outdoor lifestyle.
The plan links Watt Park at Wellington Street with Woolloongabba Rotary Park, Lerna Street and Moorhen Flats, bolstering the existing corridor with more trees to increase shade
“The Kingfisher Creek corridor is the next lifestyle opportunity identified in our plan to rejuvenate the urbanised Norman Creek catchment,
said Councillor, Fiona Cunningham.
“Woolloongabba and East Brisbane are two of our city’s fastest growing suburbs.
“Transforming ugly concrete drains into incredible lifestyle destinations won’t just create more to see and do; it will help make our city more flood resilient as well.
“We are so lucky to live in Australia’s lifestyle capital and I look forward to working with other levels of government to deliver this plan and help make our city even better,” she said.
The plan also includes a new cycling and walking connection between Wellington Road and Turbo Drive, which would connect the planned Kingfisher Creek Bikeway from Withington Street to Caswell Street.
For this corridor transformation to be possible, the concept plan includes the reconfiguration of five local streets:
- Lerna Street reconfigured to be a one-way street West to East
- Lisburn Steet closure to motor vehicles at Hampton Street
- Norman Street closure to motor vehicles with proposed cul-de-sac
- Longlands Street closure to motor vehicles with vehicle turn-around option
- And Withington Street closure to motor vehicles
These changes were strongly supported by residents during community consultation and would help ease traffic on local roads, make it easier for people to enjoy the city’s lifestyle while keeping Brisbane moving.
These changes will deliver a new cycling connection from the CBD and Southbank, all the way to Coorparoo Square, as well as to Coorparoo and Norman Park rail stations on the Stanley Street bikeway (via the Logan Road/Wellington Road intersection) and the Norman Creek Bikeway at Turbo Drive.
While local governments collect just three cents in every tax dollar, the Schrinner Council is committed to working with State and Federal governments to deliver the Kingsfisher Creek transformation.
Council says it will now seek funding from other levels of government to progress the Kingfisher Creek corridor concept plan.
