South Bank’s lagoon will be replaced as part of a wider redevelopment of the parklands, but Deputy Premier Jarrod Bleijie said the Queensland government would not be taking any construction cues from US President Donald Trump.
Almost four decades after the site’s post-Expo ’88 revitalisation, Bleijie said developers would be able to pitch their ideas for the site – but the “key non-negotiables” would be a new lagoon and upgraded public space.
The existing lagoon often closes for months at a time and, at the peak of its leakage in 2024, lost 112,000 litres of water a day.
“We can’t just keep repairing the pool and maintaining it,” Bleijie said.
“We’ve got to get a new lagoon. This was [built] 30-plus years ago and how they’re built now has changed – not the reflective pool, I might add, in the United States of America.
“We’re not just going to paint the top of it – it’s going to be a new lagoon.”
Trump’s disastrous renovation of Washington DC’s reflecting pool resulted in failed prosecutions against people his administration falsely charged with vandalism, before eventual admissions it was a result of shoddy work.
Bleijie said the South Bank lagoon would have no such issues.
“It’s going to be bigger and better than it already is, and you’ll actually be able to use the lagoon because, at the moment, the lagoon behind us is shut,” he said.
The 34-year-old lagoon has been repeatedly closed in recent years as continued leaks required it to be drained to allow for repair work.
Along with the lagoon, Bleijie said there would be other opportunities for private investment within the identified 4.8-hectare section of the 44-hectare parklands.
“Part of the revitalisation of South Bank will absolutely be parklands, kids’ play areas, hospitality, food and beverage, community, grass, trees, vibrancy – and a new lagoon,” he said.
“I think what we can achieve with the private sector is an even bigger and better lagoon and better water facilities, and I’m just so excited as we head over the next few months with the pre-qualifications and the expressions of interest for the private sector and industry to have a look at the benefits.”
Bleijie said all work would be completed in time for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Business South Bank chief executive Janine Watson said the precinct was Brisbane’s “jewel in the crown” and Friday’s announcement would help ensure it remained that way.
“This is the epicentre of this wider precinct,” she said.
“When you think about the cultural precinct at one end … and then potentially with the entertainment centre at Woolloongabba, this is the middle of it all, and it’s a much-loved part of Brisbane.
“It’s one of the most visited destinations in Queensland.”
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