Story Bridge climb jumps the river, landing at Howard Smith Wharves

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“We’re really excited to do our small part in showcasing Brisbane on the global stage as we lead into [the Olympics in] 2032.”
The company has floated plans to serve alcohol on top of the bridge – 80 metres above sea level – in cups strapped to a tether so they can’t be dropped on cars or pedestrians.
But when asked on Wednesday if climbers should be able to sip champagne at the top, Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell gave an emphatic “no”.
“Quite rightly, you want to be sober tackling this, and there are certain Workplace Health and Safety laws. But … nothing is stopping you when you’re finished to come down and have a beverage of your preference,” he said.
The company is also awaiting a decision on plans lodged by the previous owner in 2020 to build a platform and a swing at the top of the northern side of the bridge.
“The addition of the adventure swing adds a whole new level of adrenaline for thrill-seekers out there too,” Fraser said.
A diagram illustrating a proposed swing atop the northern end of Story Bridge.Credit: Story Bridge Adventure Climb
“Since fully acquiring the adventure climb last year, we’ve been looking at ways to maximise the fun for climbers, and we believe this new start and end point for the climb, right in the heart of Howard Smith Wharves, will add a new exciting dimension.
“Imagine doing a twilight climb and then heading down to one of the many dining options right on the river.”
Little was said on Wednesday about the continuing maintenance of the ageing bridge.
The bridge, which officially opened in 1940, has been identified as an “at-risk structure” since 2016. Rusted steel plates and rivets need to be replaced, and damage caused by salt-air corrosion and general ageing of the 85-year-old structure needed to be addressed, Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said late last year.
The council is seeking more than $4 million from the federal government to help fund bridge repairs.
Meanwhile, the Queensland government is considering introducing a visitor tax as part of a 20-year tourism strategy for the state called Destination 2045. Queensland tourism operators and some councils say a visitor levy will help fund the infrastructure needed to cope with the tens of thousands of extra tourists expected to visit the state each year.
Hospitality giant Artemus Group
Artemus Group, founded by Adam Flaskas and Paul Henry, with Luke Fraser as its chief executive, has multimillion-dollar plans to revamp Howard Smith Wharves, which it acquired in 2014. On the drawing board for the precinct is a 77-room boutique hotel, a riverside pool, retail space and a theatre hall.
Last year, Artemus acquired the old Rivoli Theatre building in New Farm for a reported $9.5 million to use as its Brisbane headquarters. It also splashed $110 million on Sydney’s Manly Wharf and the Manly Wharf Hotel, which it plans to transform into a bustling tourist destination.
Artemus hopes to launch Australia’s first wheelchair-accessible climb on the Story Bridge, using a $250,000 state government grant.
The business also received a $200,000 Tourism Experience Fund grant, which was put towards relocating the Story Bridge Adventure Climb office to the north side of the river.
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