A court ruling has put a stop to a planned protest on Brisbane’s Story Bridge, which authorities claimed would disrupt traffic and pose safety risks. The demonstration aimed to block all six lanes of the bridge tomorrow morning, raising concerns from police about potential chaos in the city centre. Brisbane’s Lord Mayor, Adrian Schrinner, expressed relief at the ruling, labelling it a sensible resolution for commuters and the council.
Despite the legal victory, the protestors, led by Kathryn Good, voiced their disappointment, highlighting that their underlying issues remain unaddressed. The Story Bridge footpaths have been closed since March due to serious structural concerns termed “concrete cancer”, deemed unsafe for public use. In response to this, pedestrians and cyclists have been redirected to the Kangaroo Point footbridge.
The protestors have been advocating for the transformation of one traffic lane on the bridge into a pathway for active transportation; however, the council has dismissed this proposal. The council is pursuing funding to fully restore the bridge, a project anticipated to span up to 15 years. In the meantime, while a temporary solution for the footpaths is needed, no definitive timeline has been established for its implementation. Mayor Schrinner stated the top priority is to reopen the footpaths swiftly.
While the protest organisers respect the court’s decision, a significant police presence will still be visible around the bridge. Good affirmed the protestors’ commitment to continue their advocacy, indicating their determination to regroup rather than concede. It is important to note that breaching a court order in Queensland could result in hefty penalties, including fines or imprisonment.