The Schrinner Council will invest nearly $900 million in the 2026-27 Budget to cement Brisbane’s reputation as Australia’s lifestyle capital.
As cost-of-living pressures continue to rise, the 2026-27 Budget will invest more in Brisbane’s parks, playgrounds and other public areas to create more for people to see and do.
More than $117 million will be invested to upgrade parks, including new picnic shelters, barbecues, sports parks, exercise equipment, playgrounds, landscaping, footpaths, lighting and toilets.
Parks receiving upgrades in 2026-27 include:
• Keating Park, Indooroopilly
• 7th Brigade Park, Chermside
• Honeyeater Street Park, Upper Kedron
• Pallara District Sports Park
• The Lake Parklands, Forest Lake
• Carindale Recreation Reserve
• Dorrington Park, Ashgrove
• Regent Park, Cannon Hill
• Upper Kedron Recreation Reserve
• Teralba Park dog park, Everton Park
• Don Randall Park, Lota
• Bennelong Park, Kedron
• Bill Hewitt Reserve, Camp Hill
The 2026-27 Budget also invests in Brisbane’s much-loved creeks, waterways and foreshores.
More than $3 million will be invested to create a new parkland, with a better bikeway and improved drainage along Kingfisher Creek.
The Kingfisher Creek corridor runs between Woolloongabba and East Brisbane and is the next stage of the Norman Creek Master Plan, which includes the award-winning transformation of Hanlon Park in Stones Corner.
Around $980,000 will be invested to progress the Schrinner Council’s long-term vision for Kedron Brook, including the brook’s very popular bikeways and new lighting.
More than $4 million will be invested in projects along Oxley Creek, helping to restore Brisbane’s most urbanised and polluted waterway.
Works will continue on the Wynnum, Manly and Lota Foreshore master plan, while the Brighton Foreshore upgrade will continue, delivering new picnic facilities, improved pathways and better beach access.
The Budget also continues investment in some of Brisbane’s most iconic outdoor destinations with the release of the long-term vision for Mt Coot-tha this year.
Upgrades to existing facilities, including improved parking and landscaping will be delivered in the meantime.
The Budget features a new Move Well Brisbane program, which is the biggest boost to free and affordable activities in Brisbane’s history.
Libraries, pools and community facilities will receive continued investment, with an upgrade to the Bulimba Library progressing in 2026-27, as well as refurbishments at Dunlop Park and Parkinson pools.
Brisbane pools received a record number of visitors this summer, with all pool trips reduced to just $2 as part of the Schrinner Council’s $2 Summer Dips program.
Since 2021, the Schrinner Council’s Better Suburbs Grants have helped more than 440 community organisations since they were introduced in 2021.
From next year, funding will be boosted by $900,000 for the Community Facility Category, giving clubs access to grants of up to $200,000 to help them design and deliver better facilities.
The Community Support Category will also be increased from $10,000 to $15,000 to help clubs undertake important maintenance and improvement works, improve sustainability and purchase new equipment.
Last year, the Schrinner Council announced a $500,000 contribution towards the establishment of a 24/7 homeless night sanctuary operated by Emmanuel City Mission.
This investment helped build bathrooms and sleeping facilities for women, which meant the sanctuary could cater for both men and women for the first time.
The sanctuary is currently a weekly overnight service, offering safety and warmth for people experiencing homelessness.
The 2026-27 Budget confirms a further $750,000 investment over the coming three years to help Emmanuel City Mission extend its operating nights so more people can get the rest they need and the help they deserve for a pathway out of homelessness.
The Night Sanctuary has already provided more than 500 overnight stays for people experiencing homelessness and hardship.
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner:
“Cost-of-living pressures are real, but one of the great things about Brisbane is that some of our best experiences don’t cost a cent.
“We have some of the world’s best playgrounds, parks and waterways, and we’re investing in them so you can continue enjoying Australia’s lifestyle capital without spending a cent.
“That means better parks, waterways, libraries and pools, stronger community facilities and more opportunities for people to stay active and healthy for less.
“These investments create more for people to see and do for less while helping protect the lifestyle we all love.”
