Oxley Creek Set To Undergo A 'World Class' Revitalisation

A new managing authority was recently appointed to oversee the $100 million revitalisation of the  Oxley Creek catchment.

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk was responsible for announcing the team who will eventually see the run-down catchment become a world class corridor and leisure landmark.

The Oxley Creek Management Pty Ltd will be chaired by respected property and infrastructure identity Nigel Chamier AM, and board members will include Council’s Urban Futures Brisbane board members Bevan Lynch and Guy Gibson, as well as well-known local resident Anne Clarke.

Cr Quirk said the company would be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Council and set up the planning framework to guide the master-planned precinct's long term vision.

Initial plans reveal a revitalised green corridor, new economic hubs and world-class recreation facilities.

“This project will create a major recreational space with improved lifestyle and leisure opportunities – including opportunities for kayaking trails, large green open space, Brisbane’s first public aviary and a new ‘Eat Street’ style market,” he said.

Short to medium term projects for the catchment include establishing sport and recreation opportunities and green corridor improvements.

Cr Quirk said the 15 kilometre corridor, stretching from the Brisbane River to Larapinta will include four precincts along the 600 hectare corridor including urban farms, sport and recreation facilities and economic hubs, which will make up about 5 per cent of the site.

“The project will be delivered over a 20 year period through public and private partnerships and by harnessing infrastructure agreements for works such as drainage and creek access,” he said.

“Creating alternative land use outcomes and economic development opportunities is needed to help transform the once flood prone waterway into a space that will be a landmark community space.

"This will reduce the burden on ratepayers but produce a wonderful public asset. 

The project will reportedly be bigger than the Norman Creek Master Plan, which is currently cleaning and 'greening' a heavily urbanised area, while council currently completes the new and larger Coorparoo Creek Park.

Cr Quirk said the project would achieve some of the key objectives of the Lord Mayor’s Oxley Creek Catchment Taskforce that was established in 2006 and charged with rehabilitating Oxley Creek and invigorating the surrounding catchment.