Doorstop, Kangaroo Point

ADRIAN SCHRINNER [BRISBANE LORD MAYOR]: Well, this morning I’m joined by Senator Anthony Chisholm who is representing the Federal Government, as the Federal Government is an investor in this project, with $63 million contributed towards the cost of this bridge. And also, Councillor Ryan Murphy, who is responsible within council for delivering the project. Well, today we’re celebrating an important milestone for the Kangaroo Point Bridge. The final section of bridge deck has been poured, it is in place, and the bridge is fully connected. All the cables have been put in place and now the deck is fully in place, and we’re at the 90 per cent complete mark of the project, so it’s very exciting. We can see the opportunity now for this bridge to open later on this year and for people to start using it. We know that there’s a great deal of excitement in the community for this project. We know that people understand the transformation that it will bring to the way that people move around. Our river walks across the city are so well used, and we know that this will be an important connection from Kangaroo Point right into the heart of the CBD that will help take cars off the road. And so fundamentally, this bridge is about keeping Brisbane moving, and it's about making sure people have a new way to get between the suburbs and the city. And that's exactly what the bridge will do. We estimate that it will take 84,000 cars off the road every year. I think that's undercooked. We recently opened the Breakfast Creek Bridge, and it's more than double the patronage that we expected. And we're looking forward to good, strong use of this bridge and most importantly, taking cars off the road and reducing traffic congestion, encouraging people to travel more sustainably. And for those inner-city areas, particularly some of the higher density areas, giving people the opportunity to leave the car at home and walk to where they need to go. So, I want to congratulate the project team for such a big and complex project. There are many moving parts to this project and they've done a fantastic job, and it's great to see the progress, and it's great to see that final deck being put into place. The final concrete deck is now in place. That happened just last week and it's an important milestone worth celebrating. I'll hand over to Councillor Murphy and then Senator Chisholm to say a few words. 

RYAN MURPHY [BRISBANE CITY TRANSPORT CHAIR]: Thank you very much, Lord Mayor. Ryan Murphy, Chair of Transport at Brisbane City Council. Well, we are just so excited because by the end of this year, we will open this incredible new bridge for Brisbane. And the Kangaroo Point Bridge is just that – it is just under half a kilometre long. It's 95 metres high. When it is finished, it will be the tallest bridge in Brisbane, taller than even the Gateway Bridge or the Story Bridge, and it's right here in the heart of the city. Not only is it a stunning architectural form, a single-mast cable-stayed suspension bridge, but it is an incredible transport asset for the city of Brisbane in that it will take, as the Lord Mayor said, over 6,500 pedestrians, cyclists and scooters each and every day. It will take 84,000 cars off the road. But as the Lord Mayor said, our modelling for Breakfast Creek was seriously undercooked. So this bridge may take as many as 10,000 pedestrians and cyclists every single day. We think it will be extremely popular, because it will be the first time that our eastern suburbs have had a direct link into the CBD. This is just so important, not only for residents in Kangaroo Point, but for residents in Mowbray Park and East Brisbane, Norman Park and further back into Morningside and Bulimba. This bridge will change the way that they interact with the CBD because they will have that direct, safe connection without having to go around to the go between- sorry, without having to go around to the Goodwill Bridge or go all the way around over the Story Bridge. So, it will be a game changer for them. We have been so proud on this project to partner with BESIX Watpac, today represented by its CEO Mark Baker. And of course, Senator Chisholm representing the Federal Government, the contribution that the Federal Government has made to this bridge has made its construction possible. And we understand this was the first time the Federal Government had been involved anywhere in the country in funding active transport infrastructure. So successful was it that they've now established a $100 million Active Transport Fund that councils and state governments all around the country can take part in and can apply for grants. And so, this is the first of those projects. I am sure it won't be the last. And this is again part of Lord Mayor's signature bridges program, Bridges for Brisbane Program, announced back in 2019. This is the second bridge that will be completed as a result of that program, and we cannot wait to keep delivering this important infrastructure for our city. Thank you. I'll hand over to Anthony now to say a few words.

ANTHONY CHISHOLM [ASSISTANT MINISTER]: Thanks, Councillor Murphy. And it's a real pleasure to be here this morning with the Lord Mayor and Mark from BESIX Watpac as well. This is going to be a tremendous asset for Brisbane, not only in the practical sense. We've already heard about the numbers that will use this bridge – the link to the eastern suburbs for the first time from a pedestrian point of view will be so vital. But as someone who's worked regularly nearby and seen and heard this be built across the river, it's going to be a tremendous architectural asset for the city as well. And I think that those workers who've been part of building this, they'll be able to look back in generations to come and say they were a part of building this gem for the city. So, I congratulate the Lord Mayor for his vision and their team for getting it done. And as part of the Federal Government, we're really pleased that we were able to contribute to this. And as Councillor Murphy said, active transport is something that the Federal Government want to see rolled out across the entire country. And this is going to be a shining example of what's possible in cities and regions right across the country. Thanks.

MARK BAKER [BESIX WATPAC CEO]: Hi everyone. Mark Baker, CEO of BESIX Watpac. We're really proud to be involved with this iconic piece of infrastructure for the people of Brisbane. And what excites us the most about it is it's a Brisbane bridge built by south east Queensland. We've got over 1,400 jobs created out of this project. We have over 60 apprentices and trainees. We have 28 Indigenous staff. We have 13 early career and cadets that have been working on this project. So it's a Brisbane-based bridge. We're incredibly excited that we're able to reach this milestone mark of the construction, and we're looking forward to the bridge being open before Christmas. The other point about this bridge is the collaboration between all parties. It wasn't without the- without the collaboration with the Brisbane City Council and all of our subcontractors and stakeholders, we wouldn't be here today standing on this piece of infrastructure. So, thank you very much, everyone.

SCHRINNER: Any questions?

JOURNALIST: Just one for you Lord Mayor, just on the 50 cent fares here, they’re about a week away from that being implemented. Can you give us a bit of an update on the collaboration with state government and council on decreasing the demand for buses when that initiative kicks in?

SCHRINNER: Well, look, we've been- we recently agreed to a new deal with the state government, and that was a really positive step forward, because that deal does a couple of important things. First of all, it provides ongoing extra funding for buses in Brisbane, which carried two-thirds of all public transport trips. But also, as part of the deal, it allows the Brisbane Metro project to start and it provides support for 50 cent fares. Now we all hope that 50 cent fares will bring extra people onto public transport. That is our hope, that is the state government's hope, and we're planning for that eventuality. What we are doing at the moment is working out with the state government where additional services might be required. So, we know currently where there are full services or services that are close to being full, that's where resources are being allocated to make sure that we are ready for any increase in patronage for 50 cent fares. We really hope this is a success because we need more people on public transport. It's one of the most important ways that we can reduce traffic congestion. We commend the government on their 50 cent fares initiative. Our criticism of the initiative was always about making sure there were appropriate resources. It wasn't that we were ever against 50 cent fares. We've always said it was a good initiative. It was just making sure that if there's any increase in patronage, which is what we all hope, that there's appropriate services to deal with that.

JOURNALIST: Can I ask, the design of the bridge was in part linked to the Olympics using the Gabba, which is very close to what would have been a good walkway and all those type of things. Is it disappointing that the focus of the Games doesn't seem to be back at the Gabba anymore?

SCHRINNER: Look, this bridge was put in place and the plan for it was announced before we were actually awarded the Olympic and Paralympic Games. And so, obviously, when the Gabba proposal was put forward for the Olympics, there was obvious linkages there and parallels. But this asset stands on its own. It never was dependent on the Olympics, and it was never about the Olympics. It was city-shaping infrastructure which was going to serve our city for the long term. And so, regardless of what happens at the Gabba, there is going to be significant growth throughout Woolloongabba. We know that. So, there's going to be new people moving in, more homes, thousands of extra homes. We know that there's going to be significant growth in this precinct, and they will use this bridge. And so, whether there is a stadium there or not, whether that stadium is upgraded or not, this bridge stands on its own as an important asset for the city.

JOURNALIST: Have you had a look at what's proposed for QSAC on the Brisbane Times this morning? 

SCHRINNER: Look, no, I haven't had a chance to have a look at that yet, and I’m keen to have a look obviously. And, as I've said before, our focus at the moment is to make sure we have the transport in place for the Olympics. So whatever venues are selected, we need better transport. And that doesn't just go for major stadiums. It also goes for some of the smaller venues, places like Chandler, the Belmont Shooting Complex, the white-water facility out at Birkdale and that eastern corridor, there's definitely a need for improved transport throughout that area. We're working with the state government on that. And so, whatever Olympic venues are put in place, we need transport for those, but we also need transport for the growth of the city as well. So, it's a win-win situation where there's extra transport put in place for an Olympic venue because that can be a legacy for the people of Brisbane and south east Queensland.

JOURNALIST: Is it true you're going to have a lottery to- for Riverfire for views from this bridge?

ADRIAN SCHRINNER: I'm not sure who came up with that, but I assume you want the first ticket? This will be one of the most sought-after places to view major events, whether it's Riverfire or other events that happen, and it's been designed with that in mind.

JOURNALIST: Can I just ask, could the people of Brisbane genuinely expect this bridge to be open before Christmas, given one of the partners is a controversial construction industry player?

ADRIAN SCHRINNER: Well, this has been a project that has been incredibly complex, and the progress that has been made to date has been impressive. There's been a great deal of collaboration between the different partners, whether it's Council, the Federal Government, BESIX Watpac, also the workforce as well. The workforce has been fantastic. And so, I can only say good things about the people who are building this bridge. And they tell me we're aiming for an opening by the end of this year, and I’m looking forward to that.

JOURNALIST: I've got a couple other things. You mentioned, Senator Chisholm, that $100 million for active transport. But Lord Mayor, it’s a question for you as well. Regarding West End and that green bridge. Have you made an application under that $100 million for money from the Federal Government for a Toowong to West End bridge?

SCHRINNER: Look, so not as yet, but obviously the scale of investment that would be required would probably exceed what we could apply for under that fund. So that $100 million has to be spread across the whole of Australia. We'd be happy to take all of it, but we don't see that happening. So, I think there'll be a different process that we'll go through to access additional funds. We're working through Infrastructure Australia at the moment to seek additional funding for further bridges. Our next priority is Toowong to West End, and we've secured the landing site on the Toowong side. And so, we are determined to get some funding for that project to make sure that we can deliver that. And I think once Kangaroo Point opens – people have already seen Breakfast Creek being a success – I think there'll be more demand for further bridges as well.

JOURNALIST: Senator Chisholm, can I just ask you, would you support a similar bridge at Toowong to West End with Federal Government money?

CHISHOLM: Well, obviously, that is something that will be considered in the future, and the Active Transport Fund that was announced is something that I think will be welcomed right across the country. But it is indeed, as the Mayor pointed out, something that there'll be many other places around the country that will be applying for it. But this project is an example of what is possible and the opportunities it provides for an active population, which is so important.

JOURNALIST: So that’s a yes or a no? The Lord Mayor’s looking interested as well. Is that a yes or a no?  

CHISHOLM: Well, that'll be determined by a future government announcement, but I think this bridge is going to be a great example of what's possible.

SPEAKER: Thanks, everybody.