A 20-year vision for Brisbane’s Mt Coot-tha has identified six opportunities to enhance the experience on the mountain.
This includes turning the existing 26-hectare Mt Coot-tha Quarry into a new parkland when operations there are concluded.
The Brisbane City Council has previously said the quarry has about another 10 years of extraction capacity.
The Council released the Mt Coot-tha draft plan today.
It is based on more than 4800 pieces of public feedback, which mostly asked to improve existing attractions and natural assets of the area.
The draft vision identifies these six key opportunities:
- Quarry transformation: Exploring the potential to turn the existing quarry into a new parkland for recreation, nature-based experiences and community activities.
- Summit revitalisation: Better viewing areas, walking connections and shade to make Brisbane’s famous free lookout more enjoyable for residents.
- Botanic Gardens improvements: Investigating a children’s garden, better dining and function facilities, and upgrades to the Tropical Display Dome, Cacti House and Planetarium.
- Outdoor recreation: More opportunities for free and affordable activities, including bushwalking, cycling, picnics and family events.
- Better access: Improving connections between attractions through walking and cycling links, signage and parking upgrades.
- Environmental protection: Restoring wildlife habitats, protecting bushland and strengthening conservation across the precinct.
Mt Coot-tha is located 5km from the CBD and supports over 450 native plant and 370 wildlife species.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Mt Coot-tha was one of Brisbane’s “crown jewels”.
“It doesn’t cost a cent to enjoy the incredible views from the Mt Coot-tha Summit and practical improvements could make it even more enjoyable for local families,” he said.
“Imagine turning an old industrial quarry into beautiful new parklands where Brisbane families can picnic, play and enjoy nature for generations to come.”
Brisbane Sustainability Agency CEO Tracy Melenewycz said residents had sent a clear message that they wanted Mt Coot-tha’s natural beauty protected.
“The exciting challenge is finding new ways for people to enjoy this incredible destination without losing what makes it special in the first place,” she said.
“We’ve got an opportunity to create something Brisbane can be proud of for generations, and we want the community right there with us as we shape it.”
Council Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy said the Mt Coot-tha 20-year draft vision “adds to the Lord Mayor’s shopping list of visions with no plan – such as booze on ferries, buses on ferries, flying Ubers, river taxis and water scooters.”
“Yes, we must do forward planning,” he said in a statement.
“But the Lord Mayor should get on with the crises facing Brisbane today – a crumbling Story Bridge, busting suburban congestion and ending the housing and homelessness crisis.”
Residents can view the draft vision and provide feedback at sustainablebrisbane.com.au/mtcoot-tha.
