Locals and visitors embrace Brisbane’s newest public space at community open day

Thousands of people have taken their first steps into an exciting new stretch of activated riverfront space – the first to open as part of the world-class $3.6 billion integrated resort.

Waterline Park, Mangrove Walk, and the first section of the Bicentennial Bikeway to be upgraded – were unveiled at a free community breakfast open day on Wednesday 30 October, following a makeover of the 500 metre stretch of land underneath the Riverside Expressway.

The Star Entertainment Group Managing Director and CEO Matt Bekier said the free community breakfast was a celebration of the exciting transformation that had taken place.

“When you look at these colourful and activated new spaces today, it’s hard to remember how tired and underused this area used to be,” Mr Bekier said.

“We are proud to officially open these new areas and invite the community to celebrate with us.”

Festivities at the official opening included a free BBQ breakfast with bacon and egg rolls, coffee karts, and live breakfast radio crosses and music to entertain morning commuters.

Free personal training sessions were held on the new gym equipment in Waterline Park, along with rounds of table tennis on new outdoor tables installed within the park.

“We continue to work closely with a range of stakeholders as we build Queen’s Wharf Brisbane, and I want to thank those who have been on the journey with us – including QUT, Bicycle Queensland, and bikeway users – whose feedback and suggestions for these first few areas were greatly appreciated,” Mr Bekier said.

“From taking a leisurely stroll along Mangrove Walk while learning about the area’s Indigenous people, to staying active in Waterline Park, or cycling a safer and more seamless route along the upgraded bikeway – we hope people enjoy exploring these new spaces.

“They also include new public artwork, Indigenous totems sandblasted along Mangrove Walk, and a colourful art mural underneath the Riverside Expressway by Australian artist Alice Lang.”

Some of the remaining art pieces include Australian artist Emily Floyd’s ‘The Kingfisher’ – a statue of the Kingfisher bird known to live amongst mangroves and nearby forests.

Another is the ‘Five Senses’ poem etched into Mangrove Walk, which uses 3-metre tall letters that spell out the words ‘ALL SHAPE’ to create an above-water seating area.

Bicycle Queensland CEO Rebecca Randazzo welcomed the opening of the upgraded bikeway and other facilities.

“This project transforms this part of the Bicentennial Bikeway to a world-standard, and it improves the safety and amenity of this space for all users – bike riders, walkers, and early morning exercisers,” Ms Randazzo said.

“This is one of the busiest bicycle and pedestrian spaces in Brisbane, and this project has made a dramatic improvement to both its usability and its capacity for growth.”