The 2025-26 Budget has unveiled plans to rehabilitate the former Pine Mountain Quarry with koala habitat to be significantly expanded.
Brisbane Sustainability Agency, which is transforming Oxley Creek into a popular destination, will lead the Pine Mountain Quarry rehabilitation work.
Located next to Whites Hill Reserve, the 30-hectare Pine Mountain Quarry site is currently used as a Council depot.
This transformation plan builds on the success of the adjacent Whites Hill Reserve, a former landfill site that now supports a thriving koala population and busy recreation facilities.
Through the Saving Koala Fund – Community Grants Round 2 Program – works have already started to restore parts of White Hill and surrounds with koala habitat. More than four hectares is being restored through this program. Future stages will expand areas of planting into the former quarry.
Opportunities at the former Pine Mountain Quarry site include:
- Transforming areas outside of the operating depot use into publicly accessible green space
- Planting of koala habitat
- Walking tracks, once the current uses are transitioned out of the site
The council depot will continue to operate while rehabilitation work progresses.
On Sunday, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner announced Brisbane Sustainability Agency would also be responsible for creating a new master plan to protect and enhance the Mount Coot-tha precinct.
This will include the long-term future transformation of the Mt Coot-tha Quarry when it reaches end of life.
The latest advice indicates the Mount Coot-tha Quarry could continue to operate for another decade due to increasing use of recycle material in road base.
Opportunities to be explored at Mt Coot-tha include:
- A long-term master plan for transforming the Mount Coot-tha Quarry
- Improvement to the Mt Coot-tha Summit lookout
- Introducing a new night-time light show in the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
- Reimagining and revitalising the Planetarium and Tropical Dome
- Tree planting and revegetation across the precinct to support wildlife and provide shade
- Establish a Brisbane Wilderness Trail to connect Mt Coot-tha to Mount Archer
- Sustainable nature retreat, including eco-tourism glamping
- Reconfiguring Sir Samuel Griffith Drive to a one-way loop road, reserving a lane just for cyclists
- New and improved picnic areas, including pop-up cafes
- Mountain bike skills development track
- Accessible tree-top walk at The Summit
The 2025-26 Budget will invest $733.5 million into Environment, Parks and Sustainability to protect our natural assets while also delivering more to see and do.
Parks projects in the 2025-26 Budget include:
- $4 million for the design, planning and start of works at Pallara District Sports Park
- $1.2 million for the design and planning for Ellen Grove District Park
- $610,000 to finalise the Wynnum, Manly and Lota foreshores master plan
- $835,000 to design and start works at the Brighton Foreshore
- $3.6 million to upgrade the waterplay area at Rocks Riverside Park
- $1.4 million to upgrade the deck around the New Farm Park playground
- $949,000 for the first stage and commencement of future stages at Mt Gravatt Outlook Reserve
- $1.1 million for new visitor facilities at Brisbane Koala Bushland in Burbank
- $272,000 for a new park at the former Red Cross site in Greenslopes in partnership with Legacy
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner:
“Brisbane is renowned as Australia’s koala capital, and we’re determined to keep it that way.
“While there’s a range of options that could have been considered for the former Pine Mountain Quarry, we’ve chosen to progressively rehabilitate this incredible area into koala habitat and green space.
“With the Brisbane Sustainability Agency leading the project, we know it will be delivered with care and vision.
“We’re also planning ahead for Mount Coot-tha’s long-term future, with exciting opportunities like a reimagined and revitalised Tropical Dome, Planetarium and improvements to the Mt Coot-tha Summit lookout.
“This Budget delivers real investment into parks, nature, and sustainability and we are committed to protecting and growing our natural assets and delivering more to see and do across our suburbs.”
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