The Brisbane City Council has unveiled its draft plan for Archerfield Wetlands, one of six priority projects as part of the enormous 20-year Oxley Creek Transformation.
The 150 hectare Archerfield Wetlands is just one part of the transformation, located in the heart of the corridor, along a 20-kilometre ‘greenway’ connecting to other priority projects such as the planned new nature-based adventure parkland at Larapinta and a birdwatching destination at Oxley Creek Common.
Under the Wetlands plan, a new southern gateway park will be created housing facilities which would include an industrial-themed playground, multipurpose event and activity space, outdoor amphitheatre and a community, educational and commercial hub.
A one-kilometre trail combining boardwalks and pathways will traverse the entire western edge of the wetlands, which aims to give visitors expansive views of the wetland and creek systems and linking Archerfield Wetlands Park in the south to Creekside Park in the north.
Most of the route is elevated, making it perfect to observe the influence of seasonal changes on the wetlands or for spotting aircraft arrivals at Archerfield Airport further east.
A boardwalk across the wetlands at the northern end will allow closer connection with nature and access to Blunder and Hanleys Outlook and the greater parkland.
Additionally, the Greenway – a 20-kilometre central spine is proposed for moving through the Oxley Creek corridor so visitors can travel to other destinations along the creek.
Picturesque trails will lead adventurers, bird-spotters and joggers through paperbark forests and blue gum woodlands, across still marshes and open wetlands teeming with birdlife, down to waterside boardwalks and up to elevated decks with blue sky views. Public artwork and interpretive cultural experiences will act as wayfinding tools and high notes along the journey
Works to rehabilitate land previously impacted by contamination would also occur with weeding and new planting proposed to regenerate the original ecosystems.
The Atrium
Centred at the Wetlands Park section of the plan is ‘the Atrium’, an iconic repurposed former brick treatment plant tank, formerly part of the now decommissioned Oxley treatment plant.
The facility would be designed as a flexible space which would be governed by the future demands of the parkland such as research, education, commercial or community functions.
Adventure play space and youth hub
A post-industrial playground is proposed to greet visitors as they enter the park, its pipes, tanks and gangways providing a visual link to the past and an imaginative setting for outdoor adventure play.
Opportunities for water play will also be explored to create a unique attraction that draws families from across the region. A youth hub on the lower terrace will feature a multi-use games court, parkour and skating facilities and a sheltered hangout zone.
Outdoor spaces, events and activation
A calendar of events celebrating the natural environment and local culture will animate the park from pop-up exhibitions to regular markets, annual festivals, practical workshops, concerts and performances.
Flexible, multipurpose indoor and outdoor spaces will adapt to suit needs. An event lawn and amphitheatre will provide the setting for programmed community events and double as a large, open space for informal play, sport and relaxation.
The brick tanks and other spaces in The Atrium will offer an inspired backdrop for art installations that celebrate local artists and the site’s unique history and landscape.
A four-week community and stakeholder engagement program has been launched by the Brisbane City Council which can be found here.
The finalised precinct plan is set to be released in late 2019 with staged implementation, planning and delivery from 2020.
