Brisbane City Council’s Labor Opposition has slammed the LNP Lord Mayor, Council and State Government after this morning’s announcement of $2.1 million in public funding for a proposed flying fox attraction over the Brisbane River, arguing that the LNP’s priorities were ‘all wrong’.
The Story Bridge Restoration Committee Report released last year found that without contributions from all three levels of government, a toll may be required to fund essential works on the iconic bridge that turns 86 this year.
Opposition Leader Jared Cassidy said the state government’s decision not to contribute to the restoration was “obscene” and accused Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner of failing to advocate strongly enough for Brisbane.
Cassidy said the Lord Mayor should be “banging down the door” of Premier David Crisafulli to secure funding for the bridge, which carries more than 100,000 vehicles each day and remains a key link between Brisbane’s north and south.
“A flying fox over the Brisbane River may be a nice thing to have, but it shouldn’t be at the expense of saving the Story Bridge,” Cassidy said.
He argued that the condition of the bridge reflected a broader pattern of neglect across the city.
“What’s happening to the Story Bridge is happening to all of Brisbane – neglect,” he said.
Cassidy questioned the state government’s priorities, saying it was “bizarre” that funding had been found for a recreational attraction while no contribution had been made toward the bridge’s restoration.
“It’s clear that this state government has little regard for Brisbane,” he said. “What’s sad is that the Lord Mayor of Brisbane is not going in to bat for our city; he just takes orders from George Street.”
The Opposition Leader said time was running out to secure funding and warned that the city needed a stronger advocate.
“Brisbane needs a fighter to save the Story Bridge. If Adrian Schrinner can’t do that, it’s time to switch careers,” he said.
