Brisbane City Council has floated the idea of finally introducing river taxis to the Brisbane River in the lead up to the 2032 Olympics.
Although the plan has not been approved yet, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner has thrown his support behind it, with the aim of maximising Brisbane’s access to and use of its river, by welcoming businesses to use the council’s eight pontoons, initially designed for recreation, such as water sports, that have gone underutilised.
The pontoons span the length of the Brown Snake; they are located in Murarrie, Northshore Hamilton, Kingsford Smith Drive, New Farm Park, City Botanic Gardens, Dutton Park, and West End, and the plan’s focus is on the ones that could handle larger and heavier vessels.
This is not the first time this idea has come about, but this time, with the Olympic Games looming there’s an added incentive — and pressure — to implement ambitious infrastructural plans. This may be why, this time around, Council is seriously encouraging the private sector to participate and reviewing how best to go about the change, including a licensing system, which would then depend on the state government’s approval.
CityCats are, of course, already an important transport network on the river, but there are many outer suburbs they are unable to reach, like Moggill and Bellbowrie, and this would hopefully provide a solution for these areas.
It’s not all practicality: the plan could see the return of floating favourites to inner city pontoons, such as West End and New Farm, and the blossoming of new fluvial businesses. Council is also expecting that the project, should it be approved, will boost tourism and serve international visitors by linking the city to the cruise ship terminal, for example.
We’ll keep you updated as the plan goes through approval and, in the meantime, would city taxis make daily life easier for you?