A $22 million plan to transform a former wastewater treatment plant into picturesque parkland is now underway.
Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said delivering Archerfield Wetlands District Park was the next stage of Council’s $100 million, 20-year Oxley Creek Transformation initiative.
“Brisbane has a reputation as Australia’s lifestyle capital and a big part of the reason why is our network of more than 2100 parks,” Cr Schrinner said.
“Our Council is committed to ensuring the number of parks and playgrounds continues to grow alongside our city.
“The transformation of Archerfield Wetlands District Park is particularly special because it will see a beautiful nature-based park created at the site of an ugly former sewage plant.
Cr Schrinner said he was confident that residents from across Brisbane will be keen to experience the new four-hectare park located off Bowhill Road at Durack once complete.
“It will include a large adventure play space and water play area, a youth hub with basketball court, a bush foods garden, and a catchment centre, with a native plant nursery to support the environmental rehabilitation of the Oxley Creek catchment,” he said.
“The establishment of the park at this location is restoring and transforming the site as an environmental and recreational destination where people can slow down and connect with nature.”
The project was identified as a priority in the Oxley Creek Transformation Master Plan and will be delivered in partnership with Brisbane Sustainability Agency.
Cr Schrinner said the park will have a direct connection to the Archerfield Wetlands Discovery Trail, a three-kilometre walking and cycling trail that meanders through the 150-hectare site.
“The Discovery Trail gives residents a front-row seat to the natural spectacle of Archerfield Wetlands offering eucalypt forests, open grassland, freshwater wetlands, and over 150 different bird species, while bushwalking, birdwatching and off-road cycling,” he said.
“Wetlands like this perform a range of functions and are a critical habitat for animals and plants, and as a community, we must do everything we can to protect them.
“They are a natural sponge during floods and the waterway provide ideal breeding grounds for birds and fish.”
Brisbane Sustainability CEO Tracy Melenewycz said the Archerfield Wetlands precinct was a rare hidden gem.
“What we’re transforming is a huge 150 hectares of green space that is just 12 kilometres from the wedged between the Ipswich Motorway, Archerfield Airport and Bowhill Road in Durack,” she said.
“Our vision for Archerfield Wetlands is to create a parkland that inspires people of all ages to connect with each other and nature, care for the environment and live a healthy, outdoor lifestyle.”
The vision of the Oxley Creek Transformation Master Plan will see the 20-kilometre-long green space corridor, from the Brisbane River at Tennyson to Warril Parkland at Larapinta transformed into a world-class green lifestyle and leisure destination.
The District Park is expected to open in early 2024.
To keep up to date with what’s happening in Brisbane, visit www.adrianschrinner.com.au/brisbane-news.
