12 AUGUST 2003
JOINT MEDIA STATEMENT FROM BRISBANE`S LORD MAYOR, TIM QUINN AND THE UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND
Lord Mayor Tim Quinn and University of Queensland Vice Chancellor Professor
John Hay today announced that the Council and University have reached an
in-principle agreement for a pedestrian, cycle and bus bridge between Dutton
Park and the University`s St Lucia campus.
Professor Hay said Brisbane City Council and The University of Queensland
have been working together for some time to address the issue of bus,
pedestrian and bicycle access to and from the St Lucia campus.
He said the deliberations considered a wide range of issues including the
University`s commitment to retaining the character, tranquillity and amenity
of the campus and minimising the impact on neighbouring communities.
Appropriate bridge landing locations and on-site operating conditions were a
key focus of the joint efforts said Professor Hay.
Deputy Lord Mayor Maureen Hayes said the collaborative process culminated
last Friday with the two parties reaching an in-principle agreement about
the project. He said that the key outcomes included:
• the University acknowledging the need for improved public transport access
to the campus;
• Council addressing the University`s concerns about buses running through
any part of the campus and consequential impact on the campus and the St
Lucia community by terminating bus movements on-campus and ensuring there is
no link to the campus road network;
• the parties agreeing on the bridge landing location and on-site operating
conditions, including the permanent exclusion of cars, trucks and taxis;
• mutual agreement on the importance of the character and integrity of the
campus setting through the use of appropriate design, materials; and
• the parties acknowledging the need to investigate other pedestrian and
cycle links some time in the future.
Lord Mayor Tim Quinn said this agreement paves the way for the finalisation
of the Impact Assessment Study, which recommends that the project should
proceed to design and construction this financial year. Professor Hay
indicated that the Senate would consider the matter at its next meeting.
Communities on both sides of the river will be kept informed on the impact
assessment study.
Accordingly, Council has set aside $3 million in its 2003/04 Budget to take
the project to the next stage.
Professor Hay and the Lord Mayor both agreed that the enduring, robust and
strong relationship between the City of Brisbane and The University of
Queensland is very important. They agreed that the current process has
deepened the level of understanding between the University and the Council,
and both parties now look forward to continuing to work together on mutually
beneficial endeavours.
For further information on the Green Bridge Link, contact Council on 3403
8888 or visit www.ourbrisbane.com and click on the Brisbane City Council
logo to enter the internet site.
MEDIA CONTACT: JO PLOZZA 3403.4108 OR 0438 124 293
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