A fresh look for the Wynnum Wading Pool, more waterplay areas and an expanded Pandanus Beach are among the big ideas proposed to make Brisbane’s bayside an even better place for residents.
The draft Wynnum, Manly and Lota Foreshores Master Plan is now open for feedback, covering eight kilometres of waterfront and 15 parks from Wynnum Creek to Lota.
The 20-year plan aims to improve the places residents use and love, while protecting the relaxed character and natural beauty locals love.
The draft plan includes ideas such as:
• Upgrading the Wynnum Wading Pool into a new sand beach pool with deck areas
• Delivering a new jetty, mangrove boardwalk and kayak launch facilities in Manly
• Creating a new waterplay and parkour park in Manly
• Expanding and replenishing Pandanus Beach
• Adding new picnic shelters, seating and barbecues along the foreshore.
It builds on improvements already delivered at Bayside Park, Breakwater Park and Lota Camping Reserve, plus the $1.2 million playground upgrade near the Wynnum Wading Pool.
With funding allocated to the Wynnum, Manly and Lota foreshore in the Schrinner Council’s most recent budget, design works on priority projects could be started as early as this financial year.
The draft plan has been shaped by more than 1,460 pieces of feedback from residents collected last year.
Residents called for better water access, more swimming opportunities, easier walking and cycling, more shade and more places to play and exercise.
They also made it clear they want to protect the natural beauty and laid-back bayside lifestyle that makes Wynnum, Manly and Lota special.
The draft plan follows the success of the Oxley Creek Transformation and complements the Wynnum Centre Suburban Renewal Precinct Plan.
While the foreshore plan focuses on improving public spaces, the precinct plan will support more homes in a small area close to shops, services and public transport.
The precinct plan is concentrated around Wynnum Central Station, Kitchener Park and Bay Terrace, with 96.5 per cent of Wynnum outside the plan area.
The new vision comes 40 years after Pandanus Beach was created under former Lord Mayor Sallyanne Atkinson and became a much-loved part of the Wynnum waterfront.
Together with the Wynnum Wading Pool, it has helped generations of Brisbane families enjoy a free day out by the bay.
The draft Wynnum, Manly and Lota Foreshores Master Plan is open for feedback, with residents encouraged to explore the ideas and have their say.
Feedback collected will help inform the final Master Plan.
Find out more at https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/
Quotes attributable to Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner
“The bayside sums up so much of why Brisbane is Australia’s lifestyle capital.
“Locals have told us they want better water access, more shade, better walking and cycling paths and more places to get outdoors and enjoy the bayside.
“We’ve listened, put those ideas into a draft plan and now we want locals to tell us what they think.
“The community has already identified the Wynnum Wading Pool as an area that they would want to see upgraded, so we’re hoping to kick start selected projects as soon as we can.
“This plan is about protecting the bayside lifestyle locals know and love, while giving families even more reasons to get outdoors and enjoy this incredible part of Brisbane.”
Quotes attributable to Councillor Alex Givney
“Ask anyone who lives here and they’ll tell you there’s something pretty special about life on the bayside.
“Our community knows and loves our foreshore, so locals should be at the heart of shaping what comes next.
“A bigger Pandanus Beach, renewed Wynnum Wading Pool and new waterplay will give families even more options to cool off on a hot Brisbane day.
“Better paths, more shade and easier access to the water will make it even easier to walk, ride, exercise or simply enjoy time by the bay.
“I’d encourage everyone to jump online, take a look, and share their thoughts. This is our foreshore, and we want locals to help shape its future.”
Quotes attributable to Lysette Albery, Manager, Wynnum Manly Tourism & Visitor Information Centre
“The draft Wynnum, Manly and Lota Foreshores Master Plan brings together improvements which would create a more connected, family friendly and active foreshore precinct, improving the usability and overall attractiveness of the foreshore.
“The combination of water access, play facilities, picnic areas and nature experiences adds variety to the existing recreational facilities and makes better use of the foreshore, while providing opportunities for locals and visitors to engage with the waterfront and surrounding bayside environment.”
Quotes attributable to Scott Keid, Wynnum Commerce Incorporated President
“The Wynnum, Manly and Lota foreshore isn’t just one of our community’s greatest assets – I’d argue it’s one of Brisbane’s greatest.
“Where else in Brisbane can you look across beautiful Moreton Bay towards Mulgumpin and Minjerribah, have Queensland’s largest small-craft harbour at Manly, the Wynnum Wading Pool and jetty, Pandanus Beach, Lota Creek, kilometres of waterfront parks and a history, stretching from early fishing, oyster farming and the Wynnum Creek fishing industry, through to generations of Brisbane families coming here to swim, sail, picnic and holiday?”
