Business will be buzzing on the Brisbane River with plans to open up pontoons and jetties for more tourism and hospitality use.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said there were currently eight Council-owned pontoons along the river with most of the sites designed for short-term recreation such as kayaking and drop-offs.
Lord Mayor Schrinner said larger facilities at New Farm and the City Botanic Gardens were ready to welcome bigger vessels, opening the way for more dining cruises, tour boats and adventure operators on the river.
“Demand has been growing for operators to use these facilities and there are now new opportunities to bring more life to the river and give locals and visitors new experiences.”
He said popular operators like the Prawnster seafood vessel and a jet ski business were already proving how much Brisbane residents and tourists wanted to enjoy the river in new ways.
“Our pontoons and jetties aren’t just for recreation anymore, they’re an incredible opportunity to deliver bigger, better and more exciting river experiences.”
Lord Mayor Schrinner said Council was working to open more doors for tourism and hospitality businesses, including new infrastructure where needed and a licensing system that encouraged investment and provides certainty, pending State Government approval.
He said a review to consider the future use of the eight pontoons as well as the former Gardens Point marina moorings near the City Botanic Gardens would now be undertaken.
“Opening these facilities to operators means more dining on the water, more adventure, more fun, all while keeping them open for the community to enjoy.
“We’re working with the State Government to supercharge the river ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, so the world sees Brisbane at its absolute best.”
Committee for Brisbane CEO Jen Williams said locals and visitors were keen to seek out opportunities to be close to the Brisbane River, whether dining next to it, travelling on it, or running alongside it.
“The Brisbane River plays a key role in the city’s identity and the sub-tropical, outdoor lifestyle that Brisbane is increasingly renowned for,” Ms Williams said.
“Over the years, Brisbane has invested in pathways and precincts alongside the River, but aside from the world-class City Cat network, activation of the river itself has largely been limited to small-scale private users.”
She said opening up the existing pontoons and marinas for further commercial and recreational operations would enable huge new opportunities to embrace the river and create those locally authentic experiences being sought by visitors and locals alike.
Brisbane Economic Development Agency Chief Operating Officer Juliet Alabaster said further activating Brisbane’s pontoons for tourism would deliver destination-defining experiences and accessibility that would set the river city apart on the world stage.
“These opportunities will support local businesses, attract new investment and create more jobs in Brisbane’s thriving visitor economy,” Ms Alabaster said.
“This initiative will also support investment by the private sector in new overnight berthing infrastructure – such as the new Colmslie Wharves – enabling dining cruises, adventure activities and activation of these waterways, giving even more reasons to stay longer in our great city.
“With Brisbane preparing to host the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, showcasing our river will be central to growing tourism and leaving a lasting economic legacy for the city.”
The Brisbane River Access Network includes eight river and recreation hubs:
- Murarrie Recreation Hub.
- Northshore Hamilton Recreation Hub.
- Kingsford Smith Drive Recreation Hub.
- New Farm Park River Hub.
- City Botanic Gardens River Hub.
- West End Recreation Hub (temporarily closed for repairs).
- Dutton Park Recreation Hub.
- Riverhills Recreation Hub
