Council caters to all budgets for your next day out: Lord Mayor
There is always something to do in Brisbane, no matter your budget! Council is committed to accessible fun and offers hundreds of free or affordable activities across the year, so that residents of all ages can experience the River City.
Power through a Pilates class in the Botanic Gardens, try your hand at belly dancing or learn how to grow your own veggies, all without spending a cent.
These great activities are always popular with the community, so make sure to book ahead when required.
Look inside this month’s Living in Brisbane, download the Brisbane app or head to the Council website to plan your next low-cost adventure.
Kedron Brook Bikeway reopens
The Kedron Brook Bikeway is now fully reconnected, with final works at Uxbridge Steet complete following the February 2022 floods.
This stretch of bikeway has been built back better by shifting the pathway alignment up the embankment. We have included flood resilient design features to improve the embankment, including planting, ground stabilising mesh, ground compaction and large rocks.
We planted 17,000 native plants to re-establish the pathway as a vital green space in the area.
The Kedron Brook Bikeway is a great connection to local schools, shops, sports clubs, public transport, creekside parks and community facilities.
To learn more, search ‘Kedron Brook restoration works’ at brisbane.qld.gov.au
Council’s Green Heart Fair promotes sustainable living
Learn about sustainable living at Brisbane City Council’s Green Heart Fair at Victoria Park from 9am-3pm on Sunday 28 May.
Council’s Green Heart Fair will feature 120 sustainability experts who will share practical tips and tricks to help you live an eco-friendly life.
This free, family and dog-friendly event will showcase sustainability displays, workshops, eco-friendly products, free native plants, artisan markets, live entertainment, food trucks and more.
You can also visit the Brisbane Metro pilot vehicle at Herston Station to experience the future of sustainable public transport.
Green Heart Fair is being delivered in partnership with Brisbane Sustainability Agency to promote sustainable living in a fun environment.
Victoria Park is being transformed into one of the city’s iconic parklands. Following community consultation in 2022, the final Master Plan will be released later this year.
For more information, visit sustainablebrisbane.com.au and search ‘Green Heart Fair’.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Kedron Brook Bikeway is one of our most used pathways, with 600,000 annual users, stretching 20km along the brook.
Family-friendly activities that won’t break the bank
We are hosting a range of free and affordable events throughout the city for you and your family to enjoy.
The events will cater for different interests and age groups, plus they’re a great way to try something new and meet like-minded people.
Popular events include aqua aerobics, yoga, pilates, Bush Kindy, Outdoor Cinema in the Suburbs, storytime sessions, creative events, Lord Mayor’s City Hall Concerts, Bands in Parks and Tech Connect digital workshops.
Events are being held at venues including Council’s libraries, pools, environmental centres, Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens, Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium, Brisbane City Hall, Museum of Brisbane and Brisbane Powerhouse.
For more information, search ‘what’s on and events’ at brisbane.qld.gov.au
Domestic and family violence prevention month
Domestic and Family Violence (DFV) Prevention
Month is in May and it’s a time for all of us to speak up, raise awareness and support survivors.
DFV isn’t always physical. Financial, emotional, psychological or technological abuse can be used to control a person.
Domestic violence can happen to anyone. In its Not now, not ever report, the Special Taskforce on Domestic and Family Violence in Queensland recommended individuals, community groups and the private sector work together to help prevent it.
To learn more about Council’s commitment via the DFV Strategy, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au
Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards
Entries for the Lord Mayor’s Photographic Awards are now open. There is more than $15,500 worth of cash prizes up for grabs, with the winner of the open category set to take home $5000. There are six categories to choose from, including a student category and the People’s Choice award.
The 2023 theme is ‘Rediscover Brisbane’, encouraging residents to capture a glimpse of Brisbane’s unique character, lifestyle and scenery through a new lens. Avid photographers can capture an image of a sunrise over Mt Coot-tha or Kangaroo Point Cliffs to street performers in Queen Street Mall or scenes from the suburbs.
Entries close 4pm Friday 9 June. Photos must be from 9 July 2022 onwards. For more information, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au
People who are experiencing domestic violence should contact 1800RESPECT via telephone on 1800 737 732.
Brisbane businesses aspire to reduce waste
Council has partnered with an innovative online marketplace to help Brisbane businesses improve sustainable waste practices.
ASPIRE is an online trading platform designed for businesses and ABN holders to sell, buy, give away or exchange unwanted resources destined for landfill.
From packaging materials, wood pallets, e-waste and construction equipment, ASPIRE is creating new opportunities for businesses to give their unwanted items a second life.
To help local businesses reduce waste and save, Council has made registration to the ASPIRE program free for all Brisbane businesses with under 100 employees.
To find out more information, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘reducing business waste’.
CHILDREN ARE SUN SMART THANKS TO SHADE SAILS
Council has installed shade sails at playgrounds across Brisbane under the Sun Safe Suburban Playgrounds Program. The first of 50 shade sails have been installed at Akuna Street Park, Kenmore. The new initiative will help keep equipment cool, make parks safer for kids and ensure children are protected from the harsh sun in playgrounds all year round.
RESIDENTS VOTE FOR FLORAL EMBLEM
A unique playscape is almost complete
Kedron’s Bradbury Park upgrade is in its final stages with the unique playscape almost ready for Brisbane kids to discover.
The one-of-a-kind play structure is set within a landscaped section of the 16,000 square metre park. It’s surrounded by a new car park, toilets and picnic facilities.
Bradbury Park is already a hub of activity catering for the whole family including an award-winning nature play space called The Magic Forest, a scooter track, fitness equipment, picnic areas and dog off-leash areas.
Council is undertaking community consultation to find an additional floral emblem to represent our vibrant city along with the red poinsettia. You can vote for your preferred flower nearly 100 years after the red poinsettia was first selected. The second stage of community consultation will kick off mid 2023.
COMMUNITY CALLS ON CONTACT CENTRE
Brisbane City Council’s Contact Centre has reached a milestone of four million calls in five years. The centre operates 24 hours, seven days a week and provides expert experience to Brisbane residents for thousands of different enquiry types. For more information call 3403 8888
Behind the wheel – meet Brisbane Metro driver Liesl Hales
Council buses move two-thirds of Brisbane’s public transport customers each year and you’ll find some passionate drivers behind the wheel. Liesl is one driver getting you to the people and places you love with more than 17 years of experience under her belt.
Liesl is taking on her next adventure as one of our pilot Metro drivers, testing the vehicle across Brisbane in preparation for Metro services commencing in late 2024.
Want to get behind the wheel of your own Council career? Visit Council’s careers page and search for ‘bus operator roles’.
Scan the QR code to hear from Liesl about why she loves being a bus driver and how you can be part of driving Brisbane’s public transport future.
Breakfast Creek Green Bridge passes halfway mark
We’re making real progress on the Breakfast Creek Green Bridge, with the team hitting the halfway mark on construction.
All piling works are now complete, and the Lores Bonney Riverwalk is starting to take shape with concrete deck works underway on the northern bank of Breakfast Creek.
Improving connections for residents
The new Story Bridge underpass is taking shape as part of the Kangaroo Point Green Bridge project.
The underpass forms part of a new walking and riding connection from the bridge landing at Scott Street through to Deakin Street in Kangaroo Point. It will provide a direct and accessible link to the eastern side of the peninsula and ongoing travel to and from these suburbs.
The final design of the new underpass includes artistic panels of the Story Bridge, allowing path users to pause and acknowledge the history of one of Brisbane’s most iconic structures.
For more information and to see artist impressions of the underpass, visit brisbane.qld.gov.au and search ‘Kangaroo Point Green Bridge’.
This infrastructure is more than just a bridge, creating a vital active transport connection between the inner city and growing lifestyle precincts including Portside, Racecourse Road and Northshore Hamilton.
The Breakfast Creek Green Bridge is expected to open in early 2024.
The Story Bridge remains the longest steel cantilever bridge in Australia and the largest steel bridge designed, fabricated and constructed in Australia.
VARIOUS
BRISSIZZLE AND SOUNDS, 13 MAY
Victoria Park, Herston
Enjoy fantastic food trucks, kid’s activities, live music and the Bluey Live Interactive Experience from 11am–3pm at this family-friendly event. lmct.org.au
BRISBANE STREET ART FESTIVAL, UNTIL 21 MAY
Various locations
Immerse yourself in a myriad of epic events, large-scale exhibitions, powerful artist panel talks and a huge workshop program that has something for everyone. bsafest.com.au
VARIOUS
PANIYIRI GREEK FESTIVAL, 20–21 MAY
Musgrave Park, West End
The city’s massive Greek Festival will take over West End with market stalls, grape stomping, music and kid’s activities. Enjoy traditional Greek cuisine and bring the whole family to this all-ages event. paniyiri.com
VARIOUS
BRISBANE MARATHON FESTIVAL, 3–4 JUNE
Alice Street, Brisbane City
Join us for the ultimate running event of the year that celebrates fun, fitness and the test of human endurance. Feel the buzz of running alongside a crowd. brisbanemarathon.com.au
YARN IN THE PARK, 17 JUNE–17 JULY
Rock Riverside Park, Seventeen Mile Rocks & Lorikeet Park, Mt Ommaney
The Parks will come to life with the open-air handicraft exhibition showcasing a variety of stunning installations and interactive pieces.
VARIOUS
DINOSAURS OF PATAGONIA, UNTIL 2 OCTOBER
Queensland Museum, South Brisbane
Discover the roarsome Dinosaurs of Patagonia featuring 16 life-sized skeletons from South America’s Age of Dinosaurs. Recommended for all ages. museum.qld.gov.au
Please check details and confirm with organisers that events are still going ahead before you make plans.
REGIONAL EVENTS
Check out the Brisbane app for more event listings!
UNDER EIGHT WEEK: DRAMATIC PLAY
18 May, 10.30-11am, Indooroopilly Library
Develop language skills with imaginative play. To book, call 3407 0009
YOGA AND MEDITATION
3 June, 8-9am, Guyatt Park, St Lucia Combine stretching, strengthening and breathing exercises with meditation. brisbane.qld.gov.au
TAI CHI QIGONG IN THE PARK
11 June, 8-9am, Woolcock Park, Red Hill
Rejuvenate your body and leave feeling relaxed and calm. brisbane.qld.gov.au
WANDERING WEEDERS BUSHCARE GROUP WORKING BEE
21 June, 7-9.30am, Mt Coot-tha Reserve, Mt Coot-tha
PILATES
24 May, 9.30-10.30am, Dorrington Park, Ashgrove
Strengthen and stretch with abdominal-based exercises for a healthier lifestyle. brisbane.qld.gov.au
BOLLYWOOD FITNESS
7 June, 9.15-10.15am, Twilight Street Park, Kenmore Move to the infectious beats of Bollywood music. Suitable for seniors. brisbane.qld.gov.au
Help restore local habitat. brisbane.qld.gov.au
KINETICKIDS
MULTI-SPORTS AND MINDFULNESS
29 June, 9-10am, Dorrington Park, Ashgrove
Learn multi-sports skills and mindfulness activities. To book, visit kinetickids.com.au
TENERIFFE FESTIVAL
27 May, 10am-9pm, Vernon Terrace, Teneriffe
Music, food, children’s entertainment and historical displays. An event to celebrate Teneriffe. teneriffefestival.org
GROW IT, COOK IT, COMPOST IT
8 June, 10am-1.30pm, Brisbane Botanic Gardens
Composting and fresh produce cooking. To book, call 3403 2535.
CHILDREN’S STORYTIME IN THE PARK
30 June, 9.30-10am, Frew Park, Milton
Experience the magic of storytime outdoors. brisbane.qld.gov.au
Thanks to everyone who shared their amazing Views of Brisbane! Simply share your photos on Instagram using #viewsofbrisbane or join our Views of Brisbane Facebook group for your chance to be featured.
