NEWS
Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has released five different plans for rebuilding riverwalk at New Farm, – and he’s asking for community feedback on which one is the best.
Cr Quirk said the five options ranged from a fully floating walkway to more economical alternatives such as a fixed boardwalk or retaining wall and cost anywhere between about $50 million and $70 million to build.
Built in 2003 the popular walkway was devastated in theJanuary floods, with sections of the walkwa washed away downstream.
“I am conscious that many residents want to see a cost-effective replacement delivered while maintaining its famous views, which is why we have put forward five different options for the community to give their views on,” Cr Quirk said.
The New Farm RiverWalk was one of Brisbane’s most loved pieces of infrastructure, with more than 3000 cyclists and pedestrians using ity daily.
“January’s devastating floods saw the RiverWalk wash away right before our eyes, but Council is committed to providing a new facility to cater for the many commuters and recreational walkway users.”
After successfully lobbying the Federal Government to cover the cost of the rebuild counil had now come up with a range of different options to ensure that happens." Cr Quirk said community feedback, along with other factors such as cost, environment, constructability and flood impacts would be considered when choosing the preferred design.
“While the previous floating Riverwalk was a beautiful piece of innovation in theory, in reality its design came with an expensive maintenance regime and ultimately led to it being washed away during January’s flood,” he said.
“I want to see the best value for money delivered and am mindful that we need to consider the yearly price of maintaining the structure as there will be no reimbursement of these costs.” C
r Quirk also said directly affected property and land owners, as well as body corporates, would be consulted this month, with consultation with the broader community to follow. The project would be funded by the Federal and State Governments at a cost of up to $75 million, funds that Council could only use to rebuild the riverwalkway. Construction on a new riverwalk was expected to commence in early 2013 and would be completed in mid-2014.
THE FIVE PLANS
Design Concept A: floating structure, closer to the bank with vessel moorings on the outside: Capital cost estimate $68.6m; estimated maintenance cost over 100 years $39.3million. Total $107.9million
• Design Concept B: fixed structure, on the original alignment with an opening for vessels, moorings on the bank; Capital cost estimate $67.1m; Estimated maintenance cost over 100 years $30m Total $97.1m
• Design Concept C: fixed structure, closer to the bank with vessel moorings on the outside: Capital cost estimate $61.4m; Estimated maintenance cost over 100 years $6m; Total $67.4m •
Design Concept D: (shown above): retaining wall, following alignment of riverbank with moorings on the outside: Capital cost estimate $54m; Estimated maintenance cost over 100 year $2m; Total $56m
• Design Concept E: re-design of the original floating Riverwalk – Capital cost estimate $75.1m; Estimated maintenance cost over 100 years $66.6m Total $141.7m
