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Safety Upgrade to See Old Bollards Removed from Kangaroo Point Cliffs

More than 40 concrete climbing bollards at the top of Kangaroo Point Cliffs are being removed as part of ongoing efforts to upgrade and maintain the popular inner-city climbing destination.

Read: ‘Brisbane Favours the Bold’ Campaign Inspires Adventure Seekers to Climb Kangaroo Point’s Cliffs

The 41 bollards, which have long formed part of the cliff-top facilities, are being taken out following the installation of new safety equipment earlier this year.

In March 2025, ring bolts embedded in the stone wall at the top of the cliffs were replaced with certified fittings, and additional ring bolts were installed to ensure climbing facilities meet current safety standards. With these upgrades now in place, the old concrete bollards are no longer required.

The project has been designed to keep the site operational throughout the works. While the removal takes place, exclusion zones will be set up both at the top of the cliffs and at their base. These safety barriers will ensure visitors, climbers and pedestrians are kept away from the immediate construction areas. The main cliff face and the majority of climbing routes will remain accessible to the public.

Temporary closures will, however, be required in some areas. Short-term footpath blockages and localised car park closures are expected at the top of the cliffs when crews are working nearby. Visitors are being advised to plan ahead and allow a little extra time if accessing the area during the project period.

Not all infrastructure will be affected. The 18 stainless-steel bollards that were installed in recent years will remain in place, as they already meet the required standards and continue to provide safe access points.

Read: Soaring Over Brisbane: Kangaroo Point Cliffs Eyed for High Diving at Brisbane 2032 Olympics

The Kangaroo Point Cliffs are one of Brisbane’s most recognisable recreation landmarks, drawing climbers, abseilers and sightseers year-round. The removal of the outdated bollards forms part of an ongoing monitoring and maintenance program aimed at ensuring facilities are safe, reliable and fit for the thousands of people who use the site each year. For more information, phone the project team on 07 3178 541 or visit Council’s website.

Published 18-August-2025

New ‘Toast at the Top’ Experience Launches at Kangaroo Point

Photo Credit: Story Bridge Adventure Climb

A new group climbing experience on Brisbane’s Story Bridge in Kangaroo Point now includes a summit toast with beer or champagne.

New Experience for Groups

A new group package called ‘Toast at the Top’ has been introduced as a premium addition to the Story Bridge Adventure Climb. The experience allows participants to toast a glass of Felons beer or champagne upon reaching the summit. It is currently the only bridge climb globally offering an alcoholic drink at its peak.

The 90-minute guided experience accommodates up to 14 participants per group. Climb leaders provide commentary on the bridge and city during the ascent. Upon reaching the top, guests can choose between Felons Crisp Lager, Australian Pale Ale, or Veuve Clicquot Champagne.

The package also includes a group photo, a commemorative hat, a certificate of achievement, and a post-climb drink at Felons Brewing Co.

*Photo Credit: Story Bridge Adventure Climb*

Safety Measures and Participation Conditions

To ensure safety, participants must be over 18 and register a blood alcohol reading of 0% before beginning the climb. All procedures are aligned with the Story Bridge Adventure Climb’s operating standards.

Booking and Pricing

‘Toast at the Top’ is available for private group bookings, with packages starting at $165 per person. Final pricing varies depending on drink selection and time of day. Bespoke options are available for smaller groups upon request. All enquiries are managed directly by the Story Bridge Adventure Climb team.

Community and Tourism Appeal

The launch aligns with broader efforts to enhance Brisbane’s tourism offerings and provide unique experiences in the lead-up to future international events, including Brisbane 2032.

Looking Ahead

The new group climb experience at Kangaroo Point adds a celebratory element to the existing Story Bridge Adventure Climb. Bookings are now open for private groups, with tailored options available.

Published 2-Aug-2025

Kangaroo Point Voice Adds Urgency to Mental Health Reform

Photo Credit: Unsplash

A Kangaroo Point resident’s long struggle through Queensland’s mental health system is now shining a light on how much could be saved—and how many lives improved—if suburbs across Brisbane received support that truly matched their needs.

Community Data Reveals a Quiet Crisis

New modelling shows that nearly $482 million could be saved over the next 11 years across Brisbane South if funding focused more on preventing mental health issues by addressing their root causes—things like housing stress, unemployment, drug misuse, and childhood trauma.

The study by Sydney University’s Brain and Mind Centre combined local data, real-life stories, and economic analysis to understand what would happen if even small improvements were made in areas such as Mt Gravatt, Forest Lake, Woolloongabba, Acacia Ridge, and Inala.

The study used system dynamics modelling and included lived experience contributions like Jordan’s to simulate how small improvements in substance misuse, social cohesion, and childhood mental health could dramatically reduce demand on hospitals, increase productivity, and prevent suicide. It found that a modest 5 per cent improvement in substance misuse alone could deliver $274.8 million in health and economic value.

According to the Brisbane South Joint Regional Needs Assessment 2025–2027, these suburbs face growing demand on services due to rising populations, cultural diversity, and social disadvantage. In places like Forest Lake–Oxley, the pressure is especially high on families and young people. In Rocklea and Acacia Ridge, language barriers and limited access to culturally safe care are worsening mental health outcomes.

A Lived Experience from Kangaroo Point

Jordan van Rosmalen, 24, shared her personal experience with mental health challenges as a contributor to the research. Living in Kangaroo Point, she took part in the study by offering her story as someone who had accessed almost every level of Queensland’s mental health system—from inpatient care to community and private providers.

She reflected that, despite the range of services available, the support she received often failed to meet her needs at the time. The study quoted her views on how technology and tailored local responses could help create solutions that work better for specific communities. Her lived experience helped reinforce the study’s call for more responsive, locally adapted approaches to mental health and wellbeing across Brisbane’s south.

Suburbs Facing the Pressure

Across the Brisbane South region, certain suburbs are feeling the strain more than others. Inala and Acacia Ridge report high levels of chronic disease and difficulty accessing culturally appropriate services, particularly for First Nations and CALD (culturally and linguistically diverse) communities.

In Woolloongabba and Eight Mile Plains, increasing urban density and rapid population growth have created pressure on outpatient services, particularly for mental health. In Mt Gravatt, the ageing population is driving demand for more aged care and chronic disease support.

Meanwhile, Forest Lake and Oxley are seeing high numbers of families struggling to find support for children’s behavioural and developmental issues, while residents in Rocklea face affordability issues and language barriers when accessing basic healthcare.

Suburb	SA3 Region	Key Issues Identified	Health & Service Needs
Mt Gravatt	Mt Gravatt	Population growth, ageing demographics, and rising service demand	Aged care access, mental health services, chronic disease prevention
Woolloongabba	Woolloongabba	Urban density with increased pressure on outpatient and mental health services	Outpatient mental health support, culturally sensitive care
Corinda	Corinda	Access challenges due to geographic and transport limitations	Improved access to clinics and primary care, transport assistance
Eight Mile Plains	Eight Mile Plains	Rapid service demand growth and cultural diversity impacting care delivery	Inclusive service models, interpreter support, mental health access
Inala	Inala	High levels of chronic disease and barriers to healthcare for CALD and Indigenous populations	Chronic illness support, culturally appropriate care, health equity programs
Acacia Ridge	Rocklea–Acacia Ridge	High cultural diversity and language barriers, mental health stigma	Mental health support, interpreter availability, stigma reduction programs
Holland Park	Holland Park–Yeronga	Concentration of social housing and increasing demand for mental health support	Culturally safe care, transport access, chronic disease management
Oxley	Forest Lake–Oxley	Socioeconomic disadvantage and limited transport options to care services	Accessible health services, transport support, outreach clinics
Forest Lake	Forest Lake–Oxley	High number of social dwellings and demand for family and youth support services	Developmental and behavioural support for children, youth engagement
Rocklea	Rocklea–Acacia Ridge	CALD population facing service access issues due to language and affordability	CALD-focused services, mental health resources, affordable care access

A Smarter, Local approach

Professor Ian Hickie, co-author of the study, said the solution lies in understanding each community’s unique needs and building tailored responses.

“We can’t rely only on clinics and medication,” he said. “We need smarter investment in the things that help people thrive before they reach crisis point.”

Health economist Paul Crosland added that even small changes—like a 5 per cent drop in substance misuse—could lead to hundreds of millions in economic benefits.

Jordan van Rosmalen hopes the findings help guide governments to make real, community-based change.

“What we need is investment in solutions that are actually built around how people live—not just how the system works on paper,” she said through her contribution.

Published 28-July-2025

Kangaroo Point’s Prospect Street Set for Supermarket and Apartment Rise

A long-unused corner of Kangaroo Point is finally being brought to life, with construction now under way on a major residential and retail project that will reshape the peninsula’s landscape. The development, located on Prospect Street, is set to introduce the suburb’s first full-line supermarket, filling a long-standing service gap in one of Brisbane’s most iconic inner-city precincts.

Read: Kangaroo Point Bridge Recognised at Queensland Landscape Awards

The $310 million project, known as The Bedford, will include a Woolworths, café and liquor store at street level, topped by 128 two- and three-bedroom apartments spread across 16 levels. It’s a rare example of large-scale, mixed-use construction in an area where new residential supply has been notably limited for more than a decade.

Led by Queensland-based Mosaic Property Group, the development marks a turning point for a site that has remained vacant for decades despite its high-profile location. The Bedford has already achieved strong pre-sales, with more than 90 per cent of residences sold since its late 2024 preview, suggesting pent-up demand for new housing in the area.

Prospect Street — Photo credit: thebedfordbymosaic.com.au

Prices for the final release start from $1.4 million, and construction is scheduled for completion by late 2027.

The Prospect Street project is being delivered by Mosaic’s in-house construction division, part of a growing portfolio that includes other recently completed or soon-to-be-finished developments across East Brisbane, Toowong and Milton. According to the developer, the strong demand for The Bedford has prompted an accelerated preview of a follow-up project in the area, dubbed The Carter.

Read: Shafston International College Could Exit Kangaroo Point for Massive Rochedale Development

For Kangaroo Point, which has long been admired for its proximity to the CBD, riverfront views and established charm, The Bedford represents more than just a new place to live—it signals a broader shift toward higher-density, amenity-rich living. And for a site that has sat idle for so long, the start of construction may be seen by many locals as overdue progress.

Updated 26-July-2025

Strong Demand for Inner-City Living Drives Kangaroo Point Apartment Sales

Demand for high-quality inner-city apartments is reaching new heights in Brisbane, as buyers move quickly to secure well-located, lifestyle-oriented homes before they even officially hit the market.

Read: Kangaroo Point’s Prospect Street Set for Supermarket and Apartment Rise

One standout example is The Carter, a $260 million residential tower in Kangaroo Point that has already sold 85 per cent of its units, well before its public launch. The strong early interest has pushed the development ahead of schedule, with construction now underway.

Artist’s impression The Carter in Kangaroo Point (Photo credit: mosaicproperty.com.au)

Developed by Mosaic Property Group in partnership with BDA Architecture, The Carter will rise 22 storeys and deliver 125 premium apartments on a 2,124 sqm site. The building is designed to appeal to downsizers and long-time locals seeking large floorplans, protected views, and high-end finishes.

Prices start from $1.115 million for two-bedroom residences and reach over $3 million for three-bedroom homes with a multipurpose room. The design focuses on generous internal layouts, north-facing balconies, and thoughtful amenities that support a luxurious urban lifestyle.

According to Mosaic’s managing director Brook Monahan, early success is the result of extensive planning and detailed design work completed well before launch. He credited the company’s internal teams for handling the full process in-house, from concept to construction, which he said helped speed up decisions and maintain quality control throughout.

Mosaic also places strong emphasis on longevity, with Monahan noting that the firm considers not just how a building looks now, but how it will perform and feel in years to come. That approach has resonated with buyers, the majority of whom are owner-occupiers from Brisbane’s inner suburbs. Many are seeking well-crafted homes that also provide access to communal features like a golf simulator, cinema, rooftop pool, gym, sauna and teppanyaki bar.

The developer has also observed that buyers are increasingly drawn to the reassurance of working with a group that stays involved post-completion to ensure building quality and resident satisfaction. That ongoing commitment, Monahan said, builds trust and long-term value for both residents and investors.

Read: Queensland Architecture Awards Honour Kangaroo Point Bridge for Urban Design

With construction now underway, The Carter is expected to be completed by early 2027—further proof that Brisbane’s appetite for high-end, inner-city apartment living is only growing.

Published 10-July-2025

Queensland Architecture Awards Honour Kangaroo Point Bridge for Urban Design

Photo Credit: Australian Institute of Architects

Kangaroo Point Bridge in Brisbane has been recognised for its design, sustainability, and contribution to urban mobility at the 2025 Queensland Architecture Awards.

Kangaroo Point Bridge Highlighted in State Awards

Kangaroo Point Bridge, a 460-metre cable-stayed pedestrian, cycling, and e-scooter bridge, has received top recognition at the 2025 Queensland Architecture Awards.

The bridge was acknowledged with the Queensland Architecture Medallion, the Karl Langer Award for Urban Design, and an award for Sustainable Architecture, reflecting its contribution to urban connectivity and climate-responsive infrastructure.

Queensland Architecture Awards — *Photo Credit: Australian Institute of Architects*

Background and Project Details

Completed in December 2024, Kangaroo Point Bridge is the longest structure of its type for pedestrians in Australia. It was designed by Blight Rayner Architecture with Dissing + Weitling. It is based on a concept and reference design prepared by BCC with Arup and Cox Architecture.

The bridge was developed as part of a broader program to improve access between residential areas and the city’s commercial precincts, while enhancing liveability and public amenity for a growing population.

Design and Sustainability Features

The bridge accommodates pedestrians, cyclists, and e-scooters with dedicated lanes and safety features. It integrates solar energy systems to power lighting and facilities. It also provides continuous shading along its length to improve user comfort.

Resting areas with seating double as viewing platforms, and riverside dining venues have been incorporated to activate the public space. The project was praised for demonstrating functional, sustainable design.

Brisbane infrastructure — *Photo Credit: Australian Institute of Architects*

Community and Expert Views

Judges noted the bridge as a key example of how public infrastructure can strengthen connections between communities and workplaces. It also offers an improved public realm experience. The design was described as providing moments of engagement for users.

Future Implications

Kangaroo Point Bridge sets a benchmark for future infrastructure across Queensland. Its recognition at the state awards highlights growing expectations for public works to address both functional and social outcomes in rapidly developing cities.

Published 1-July-2025

Shafston International College Could Exit Kangaroo Point for Massive Rochedale Development

Shafston International College has submitted plans for a major education and residential development in Rochedale, signalling a potential move from its long-standing Kangaroo Point campus.

Read: Development Plans Envision 28-Storey Tower Beside Shafston House

If approved, the project would see the college relocate by 2027 and expand its operations at a new masterplanned “knowledge precinct” in Brisbane’s south.

The development application (A006786626), lodged with Council, outlines a multi-stage transformation of a 37,500 sqm site on Miles Platting Road, near the Gateway Motorway. The site would host a purpose-built education hub accommodating 1000 students, alongside more than 400 residential units in buildings up to 11 storeys, retail and wellness outlets, office space, a gym, and 96 hotel-style rooms.

Aerial view of subject site (Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online/ A006786626)

Shafston College, which has been based at Thorn Street since 1993, is aiming to broaden its course offerings and eventually transition into a full university. The proposed Rochedale campus would include general-purpose classrooms, specialist laboratories for IT and hospitality, and multiple lecture theatres with up to 200 seats each.

318 Miles Platting Rd, Rochedale (Photo credit: Google Street View)

Stage one of the project would deliver the core education and short-term accommodation facilities at the front of the site. Later stages would roll out residential towers, a supermarket, green public spaces, and more commercial uses, creating a self-contained precinct aligned with the Rochedale urban community vision set out by council in 2014.

Shafston International College — Photo credit: Brisbane PD Online/ A006786626

The move to Rochedale is part of the college’s long-term growth strategy. Town planners Saunders Havill Group said the new location would better serve a growing student population and offer improved infrastructure and amenities. Although no full project timeline has been confirmed, the college stated that major access roads for the site would not be needed until around 2040.

The college’s current premises include the historic Shafston House, a landmark building sold to Burgundy Group in 2021. The new owners have also received approval to redevelop parts of that property into high-rise apartments and luxury residences.

Read: Residents Voice Concerns Over Proposal to Restore and Reuse Shafston House

Should council give the green light, Shafston’s relocation would not only mark the end of an era at Kangaroo Point but could also trigger a long-awaited wave of development in Rochedale’s under-utilised town centre.

Published 17-June-2025

Kangaroo Point Bridge Recognised at Queensland Landscape Awards

The Kangaroo Point Bridge has been recognised for its design integration and civic contribution, receiving an infrastructure award at the Queensland landscape architecture awards.

Major Infrastructure Honoured in Kangaroo Point

The Kangaroo Point Bridge, a pedestrian and cycle link, has been acknowledged in the 2025 Australian Institute of Landscape Architects (AILA) Queensland Awards. Designed by ASPECT Studios for BCC, the project received a Landscape Architecture Award in the infrastructure category.

Cultural and Urban Integration

The project was noted for its landscape integration, connecting Kangaroo Point to the city through deliberate design interventions that enhance existing public spaces. Delivered in collaboration with Turrbal and Yuggera Elders, the design responds to both the natural environment and the area’s cultural history. The landscape element was credited for its sustainable approach and efforts to recognise traditional stories while improving public life and accessibility.

Design and Delivery Partners

The bridge was developed with input from multiple stakeholders including Blight Rayner Architecture, Dissing + Weitling, and engineering teams from WSP and RWDI. It involved collaboration with groups such as UAP, Blaklash, and Right Angle Studio for design and interpretation. The project also benefited from concept work led by BCC in partnership with Arup and COX Architecture.

Broader Award Context

The 2025 AILA Queensland Awards, held at Blackbird in Brisbane, assessed more than 50 entries across multiple categories. Projects were evaluated for their contribution to community, sustainability, and engagement with the Country. Jury Chair David Hatherly noted a statewide shift toward landscape solutions that prioritise climate responsiveness and public benefit.

National Recognition Ahead

Projects receiving Awards of Excellence or Landscape Architecture Awards, including the Kangaroo Point Bridge, will now progress to the national stage, with winners to be announced in Hobart in October.

Published 17-June-2025

Kangaroo Point Bridge Becomes Centrepiece in Bezzina’s Final Brisbane Festival

In 2021, while standing on the deck of the Brisbane Festival’s Art Boat, Louise Bezzina looked up at the city’s bridges and imagined something more. She saw not just pathways over water, but blank canvases ready for bold colour, joyful shapes and the kind of public art that could stop people in their tracks. Four years later, Kangaroo Point Bridge, alongside the Neville Bonner and Goodwill bridges, is about to become that canvas. As Ms Bezzina prepares to deliver her final Brisbane Festival as artistic director, her vision is finally coming to life in vivid fashion.

From 5 to 27 September, these three bridges will be wrapped in playful inflatable installations by internationally acclaimed artists Craig & Karl. The duo, originally from Brisbane, have returned home with their largest project yet, Walk This Way, turning river crossings into open-air galleries that stretch high above the water.

From Pandemic to Public Art

Appointed in 2020, Ms Bezzina’s tenure began in the thick of the pandemic. With restrictions and uncertainty hanging over the arts industry, she steered Brisbane Festival through uncharted waters. Her approach was always grounded in optimism and accessibility, with a clear goal: to bring art into the everyday lives of Brisbane residents.

Louise Bezzina Brisbane Festival — *Photo Credit: Brisbane Festival/Facebook*

This year, the city becomes her final stage. Over 1,000 performances, including 21 world premieres, will play out in theatres, parks, gardens and public spaces. More than a third of the program is free.

Ms Bezzina has said this last festival feels like a gift to the city. It’s a thank you and a love letter to the place that shaped her artistic leadership. Her curatorial eye has always favoured boldness and joy. Past festivals have featured giant birds wearing party hats and hundreds of drones lighting up the river. But this time, she’s going even bigger, drawing a direct line between the art and the people who live among it.

Telling Brisbane’s Story

The Craig & Karl bridge project is just one part of a wider transformation. Their artworks will also appear across the city in an extended trail reaching the CBD, South Bank, New Farm and even Brisbane Airport. It’s designed to encourage walking, to get people off the bus or out of their car, and into the streets to experience Brisbane in a new way.

For Ms Bezzina, these visual elements are more than decorations; they are also invitations. An invitation to look up, to slow down, to feel like the city itself is celebrating.

That same philosophy shapes other parts of the program. Baleen Moondjan, created by renowned choreographer Stephen Page, will unfold on a floating barge at Queen’s Wharf. Drawing on a First Nations story passed down by Page’s grandmother, it blends dance, music and striking visual design to honour country and kin.

Theatre, Music and Memory

In Bowen Hills, the Twelfth Night Theatre, long home to amateur productions, is undergoing a refresh just in time for Gatsby at the Green Light. The show, a stylish cabaret inspired by The Great Gatsby, played to packed houses in Sydney and will now transform this beloved venue into a 1920s speakeasy. Ms Bezzina championed its inclusion as part of her ongoing commitment to breathing new life into underused local spaces.

Across the broader festival, audiences will find everything from cutting-edge contemporary dance to family-friendly music nights. Gems, a ballet trilogy by LA Dance Project and Benjamin Millepied, will make its world debut in Brisbane. And shows like The Lovers, Back to Bilo, and Tina – A Tropical Love Story continue the festival’s strong focus on storytelling with cultural roots.

Returning favourites include Riverfire and the spectacular Skylore drone display, while a new light and fire sculpture event called Afterglow will take over the City Botanic Gardens with more accessible pricing and a shorter run.

A New Chapter Begins

This year marks the festival’s 29th year, and Louise Bezzina’s last as its leader. In October, she will move into her new role as CEO and Artistic Director of Brisbane Powerhouse. But her mark on Brisbane Festival is likely to endure far beyond this season.

*Photo Credit: Brisbane Festiva/Facebook*

She often described her goal as helping Brisbane fall in love with its festival. As the city gets ready to walk across bridges turned into rainbows, float beside whales made of bone, and gather under fireworks and firelight, that love seems stronger than ever.

Published 11-June-2025

Story Bridge Named State’s Best Landmark in Queensland Day Awards

It’s one of Brisbane’s most recognisable icons, a silhouette etched into the city skyline for over eight decades. Now, the Story Bridge has claimed another honour – named Queensland’s Best Landmark in the 2025 Queensland Day “All the Best” awards.

Read: Story Bridge Faces Peak-Hour Gridlock as Protestors Demand Pedestrian Access

The beloved steel cantilever bridge, which connects Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point, triumphed over some of the state’s most scenic and historic destinations, including the Tangalooma Wrecks on Moreton Island, Brisbane’s South Bank Parklands, and Castle Hill in Townsville.

More than 61,000 votes were cast across 15 categories this year, with Queenslanders proudly backing their favourites in everything from beer and events to food and travel.

Standing for 85 years, the Story Bridge is far more than a photogenic piece of infrastructure – it’s a symbol of Queensland resilience, history, and connection. Opened in 1940, it remains a vital artery for Brisbane, carrying around 100,000 vehicles and 4,000 pedestrians and cyclists daily across the Brisbane River. It’s also the centrepiece of iconic events like Riverfire, with fireworks cascading from its steel frame in dazzling displays that mark city-wide celebrations.

But even as it wins public praise, the Story Bridge is entering a new phase of its long life. In recent months, the bridge has been in the spotlight not just for its beauty, but for the urgent attention it requires.

As part of a long-term restoration program, the Council, alongside a national team of infrastructure experts, has laid out a 15-year roadmap to ensure the bridge continues to safely serve the city into the next century. This includes significant investment into structural maintenance, with work already underway to assess and repair its ageing footpaths and supports.

The bridge’s enduring appeal lies not just in its function, but in its symbolism. As Brisbane grows, changes, and modernises, the Story Bridge remains a constant – linking the past with the future, the north with the south, the heritage with the contemporary. Even amid discussions about its restoration, the bridge continues to hold a firm place in the hearts of locals.

Being named Best Landmark in Queensland is a fitting tribute to this hardworking icon. It’s a reminder that, while new attractions may come and go, some landmarks earn their place not just for their beauty, but for their everyday presence in the lives of Queenslanders.

Read: Toll Considered as Story Bridge Faces Expensive Restoration

As the Story Bridge approaches its centenary, it stands tall – rusting in parts, yes, but never forgotten – a Queensland original, and now, officially, the best of them all.

Published 9-June-2025