Darwon's Theory | The Bridge to Prosperity
There's been an air of mystery surrounding the rumour of a green bridge connecting Bulimba with Teneriffe but - thanks to a bit of probing - it seems we're creeping closer to knowing whether there's any truth to it.
It's been a long, drawn-out process to get here. Long-term Bulimba locals might remember a public meeting held back in 2010, where then-infrastructure minister Stirling Hinchliffe said any such bridge would be about 20 years away. Still, that wasn't the first time a Bulimba/Teneriffe bridge was considered. Our local MP, Di Farmer, has reportedly seen engineering drawings from as far back as the 1890s that consider a bridge in the area.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads investigated the potential for the bridge some time ago, but the findings have been kept under tight wraps for years - until now. TMR has finally said it will release the report to Brisbane City Council. However, I can't tell you any more than that. All we know so far is that the key findings of the report revolve around clearance heights, community impacts, geology and design impacts, maintenance, operation and costs - all pretty standard, when it comes to bridges.
Those capital drivers I keep banging on about? This is one of them: accessibility. The impact of transport accessibility on land and property values is well known and widely acknowledged.
A green bridge would provide a way for pedestrians and cyclists (and anyone game enough to rent a Lime scooter) to bypass the Story Bridge traffic and get into the city faster. Domain Group and TransLink Journey Planner recently carried out a study that found it takes around 47 minutes to travel the 3.7 km distance between Bulimba and the CBD during rush hour - one of Brisbane's worst-performing suburbs, when it comes to travel time. A green bridge would reduce congestion, providing a better alternative for many who currently drive to work. But the real win here is even closer home.
Ever heard the saying, "If you build it, they will come"? Often a risky mantra, in this instance it rings true. A green bridge would undoubtedly bring more people to the Oxford Street precinct for shopping and dining, breathing life and a renewed sense of community into the area - both of which increase demand to live here and lead to property price growth.
That's all we know for now, but there's sure to be an update soon as the council works to pin down the location of the fifth proposed inner-city river crossing. When you want the inside scoop, you know where to find it!
Cheers,
S.D.