There is under one week left for the community to have its say on the future of Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve.
Mayor Teresa Harding said while it was heartbreaking to see the devastation wreaked by last year’s floods, the community response to the ‘back to basics’ draft plan had been encouraging.
“Colleges Crossing is a much-loved place for our community to relax, have a picnic and spend time with family and friends, and it was heartbreaking to see the devastation caused by last year’s floods,” Mayor Harding said.
“The damage was extensive and council has worked hard since then to make the reserve safe – the cost of works relating to Colleges Crossing is estimated to be over $700,000 to date and that’s before formal reconstruction works start.
“Before these works start, council wanted to make sure we undertook community consultation, and the response has been encouraging: we’ve had over 200 people attend our pop-up events across the city, with 516 formal surveys completed online so far.
“There’s still one more week left to share your feedback online. There’s even an option to share your favourite memories of Colleges Crossing by uploading a photo to the Colleges Crossing Community Photo Wall.
“We’ve had some lovely photos uploaded and we hope the area will continue to be popular for picnics, sport, tourism, water activities and for the continuation of cultural practices and connections for many years to come.”
Community consultation is open until 5pm on Friday, 21 April.
The damage after the 2022 flood events.
Environment and Sustainability Committee Chairperson Councillor Russell Milligan said the aim of the draft plan was to return Colleges Crossing to a more natural and open space.
“It’s clear that council cannot continue to rebuild Colleges Crossing to its previous state, as the risk of future flood damage and cost of recovery is unsustainable,” Cr Milligan said.
“The draft plan envisions wide grassy lawns, trees, a natural access point to the water for use by non-motorised watercraft such as canoes, a site for food trucks, and new public amenities.
“The idea is to build flood resilience, to give Colleges Crossing the ability to rapidly recover from substantial and frequent flooding with minimal damage, disruption and cost.”
A partial opening of the Colleges Crossing Recreation Reserve is expected on 30 April 2023.
The section to reopen is on the right-hand side of Bobby Auld Drive, between Mount Crosby Road and the Brisbane River at the eastern end of the reserve, and will be open for light recreational use such as exercise and picnics.
No toilet facilities or running water will be available at this stage.
Residents of Ipswich and the neighbouring suburbs of Brisbane on the opposite side of the Brisbane River are urged to visit www.shapeyouripswich.com.au/collegescrossing to provide feedback on the proposed redesign.
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