South Bank Is Set to Gain a New 7000-Square-Metre Riverside Green Space
Featuring new barbecue facilities, public art, a water feature, a place for riverfront events and a function space.
Three decades after Expo '88 transformed the southern banks of the Brisbane river, and 26 years since the area was turned into permanent parklands, South Bank is set for its latest change. As first revealed as part of last year's 25th birthday celebrations, the precinct is set to gain a new riverside green space — a new 6816-square-metre precinct, in fact.
As announced by the Queensland Government, the new addition will take over the spot previously occupied by South Bank's riverside restaurants, which were affected in the 2011 floods. Those buildings were demolished in 2017, and will now be replaced by parkland, including barbecue facilities, public art, a water feature, a place for riverfront events and a function space.
Construction is set to begin mid-year, revamping the former restaurant sites, and incorporating and upgrading surrounding existing outdoor areas. Brisbane Times reports that the new river lawn will be 1.5 times larger than the River Quay lawn, and both a riverside lounge and a plant-filled shade house will be added. Further, a path will connect the promenade and the arbour, the promenade itself will be straightened, shady trees will be planted through the terraced lawns and the rainforest will be extended.
South Bank also recently welcomed a new temporary creative space in the former Arbour View Café precinct, called Flowstate. It features an immersive digital art installation, an open-air performance pavilion and a grassy relaxation zone, and is intended to be in place for between 18 months and three years.
