The River Access Network, which includes the West End River Hub, is set to maximise tourism and recreation opportunities at key lifestyle precincts in Brisbane by the end of the year.
River Access Network
Brisbane is a renowned River City. However, Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the city currently has limited opportunities for visitors to experience Brisbane River. This is due to a lack of short-term river-based infrastructure.
“Council is investing $18 million this term to deliver a range of river-based tourism and leisure opportunities, including public pontoons at New Farm Park, Dutton Park and West End,” Cr Schrinner said.
The River Access Network will provide hop-on, hop-off sites for city-sights tours tinnies, stand-up paddle boards, jet skis, and canoes.
It will also deliver water taxi services and trips to Moreton Bay and the islands that will help boost recreational opportunities for the city’s $6.3 billion tourism industry.
West End River Hub
According to Infrastructure Chairman Cr Amanda Cooper, the West End River Hub will include a 25-metre long pontoon. The pontoon will accommodate up to 10 vessels at any one time.
Cr Cooper also said that West End is already one of the city’s bustling lifestyle precincts. This river hub will boost tourism opportunities in the quiet reach of the river.
The new river hub will allow visitors to dock their kayaks, canoes, or tinnies while enjoying what West End has to offer.
“Six piles have been driven into the riverbed, ready to support the new pontoon and gangway that will be floated to the riverside location and ready to use by October this year,” Cr Cooper said.
River Access Hubs
Works on other river access hubs have also started. They are already constructing the pontoons on both New Farm and Dutton Park river hubs. These pontoons will hit the water by the end of the year.
“These new docking facilities are only the beginning of Brisbane’s River Access Network, with plans also progressing for a river hub at the City Botanic Gardens that will be connected to a new 176-metre riverwalk,” Cr Cooper added.
The development application for the said project has already been lodged. Plans for the facility includes three fingers as well as a larger area for tour boats to pick up and drop off.
Upon completion, the new riverwalk will accommodate up to 15 vessels at any one time.
