Thousands of Brisbane residents have said what they want to see in their city, with hundreds in support of trams, light rail and better public transport in general, while some residents just want a clean river, canals in the suburbs and happy people.
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Brisbane Times and BDA: The Committee for Brisbane Liveability Survey has now closed, but more than 2200 residents completed the survey to tell us what they love and loathe about Brisbane.
The survey made it overwhelmingly clear Brisbane residents want better and cheaper public transport.
Hundreds of respondents called for trams, light rail or an underground to be introduced in Brisbane.
“A real mass transit solution that properly integrates heavy rail, light rail and bus, with better cross-city options,” said one respondent.
Another respondent also called for a tram or light rail system to be implemented on the city streets.
“Brisbane seems to be one of the only major urban centres in Australia not seriously considering the opportunities a light rail network could offer in terms of renewing our streetscapes, enhancing civic amenity and improving access to public transport,” they said.
Brisbane City Council ran trams between 1885 and 1969, running out to Toowong, along Ipswich Road towards Annerley and to Woolloongabba.
Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney and the Gold Coast currently run trams in Australia.
Some residents who responded to the survey went to the extreme, suggesting free public transport while others simply wanted to be able to take their dogs on city ferries.
There was also a push for more green space, trees and better bikeways.
One respondent said they wanted leafier streets and a cleaner river as it was currently too brown.
“I've noticed a predisposition to gardens that are just a slab of lawn surrounded by a cyclone wire fence,” they said.
“This is a much rarer sight in other cities. Improved landscaping and fencing requirements will gradually see this improved.
“Redesigning some public parks, such as the flood zone area in Greenslopes and Stones Corner, and the Oxley Creek area will be welcome improvements, bringing Brisbane into line with other cities.”
Some residents had more unusual requests for what they wanted in Brisbane, including one resident who wanted to be able to freely ride their segway, another who wanted “happy people” in Brisbane and one resident simply wanted a Haigh’s chocolate shop.
Other suggestions made:
- Congestion charge put in place when entering into the Brisbane CBD
- A dress code for Uber drivers
- Fewer bogans
- Another theatre
- Daylight savings
- More fountains
- More free activities
- No helmet laws
- River taxis
- water bottle refill stations
The Liveability Survey results and the planning implications will be further explored with lord mayor Graham Quirk during his State of the City address at a BDAC4B event on Tuesday.
