Brisbane’s newest bridge has shared Queensland’s top urban design award with a tribute to a slice of regional history.
The 470m Kangaroo Point Bridge was the joint-winner of the Minister’s Award for Urban Design alongside Mary’s Place in Dalby, on the Western Downs.
And it was a double celebration for Blight Rayner Architecture which designed both award winners.
Housing and Public Works Minister Sam O’Connor said the Kangaroo Point Bridge, which also won the Movement and Place Award at the Queensland Urban Design Awards, was a striking single-mast, cable-stayed pedestrian and cycleway connecting Kangaroo Point to the central business district.
Minister O’Connor said judges praised the project as a masterful balancing of complex functional and structural priorities with a deeply generous program of urban experiences, incorporating activated plazas, historic elements, a 100-seat dining pavilion, and sweeping views of both riverbanks.
“The Kangaroo Point Bridge is not just a way to cross the river, it’s a destination in itself that offers spectacular views, places to dine, and a new way to connect with the city,” he said.
Minister O’Connor said Mary’s Place was a new public park that had transformed the site of a fire-damaged pub into a symbol of regional renewal.
“(It) tells a story of loss, resilience and renewal — turning a burnt-down pub into a vibrant public heart of the community.”
He said Mary’s Place was built on the site of the Commercial Hotel, which burnt down in 2018.
“The park is named after long-time publican Mary Barry and serves as a hub for events, gatherings, and to showcase public art.”
Blight Rayner Architecture Director Michael Rayner said it was an honour to have two projects recognised at the Minister’s awards.
Mr Rayner said the latest recognition came only two weeks after Blight Rayner’s success at the Australian Institute of Architects Queensland State Awards, where the firm secured nine awards and a commendation, an unprecedented achievement that underscored their design excellence across multiple project types and scales.
