Brisbane

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This article is about the city of Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. For other meanings see Brisbane (disambiguation)

Brisbane
Image:Brisbane locator-MJC.png
Coordinates	27°28′ S 153°02′ E
Jurisdiction	Queensland
Area	4,673.2 km²
Time zone  • Summer (DST)	AEST (UTC+10) not observed (UTC)
Population  • 2003  • Density	1,774,890 (3rd) 379.8/km²

Brisbane is the capital city of the state of Queensland, Australia. The Brisbane City Council has approximately 957,010 inhabitants, within a greater urban agglomeration population of 2.47 million people, making it the third most populous metropolitan area in Australia. One of Australia's three main ports, the city's name is pronounced /bɹɪz.bən/.

Contents 1 History 2 Environment 2.1 Geography 2.2 Topography 2.3 Climate 3 Government and demographics 4 Economy 5 Universities in Brisbane 6 Colleges and institutes 7 Heritage and landmarks 8 Tourist destinations 9 Theatre and stage 10 Popular entertainment 11 Shopping and restaurants 12 Brisbane sport 13 Transport 14 Roads 15 Airports 16 Seaports 17 Media 17.1 Television 17.2 Radio 17.3 Newspapers 18 List of Brisbane articles 19 Trivia 20 Notes 21 External links

History

Main article: History of Brisbane

The area now called Brisbane was inhabited before European settlement by the Turrbul and Jagera people whose ancestors migrated to the region from across the Torres Strait in ancient times. In 1823 an exploration party led by John Oxley explored Moreton Bay and sailed up the Brisbane River as far as Goodna, some 20 km upstream from what is now Brisbane's central business district. Brisbane was named in honour of Sir Thomas Brisbane, who was the Governor of New South Wales.

In 1824, the colonial administration of New South Wales decided to establish a penal settlement at what is now Redcliffe, on the shores of Moreton Bay. This settlement was soon closed and moved to the present-day site of Brisbane. Non-convict European settlement of the Brisbane region commenced in 1838.

Queensland was proclaimed a separate colony in June 1859 and Brisbane was chosen as its capital. However, Brisbane was not incorporated as a city until 1902.

Over twenty small municipalities and shires were amalgamated to form the City of Greater Brisbane, now known simply as the City of Brisbane, in 1925.

Due to Brisbane's proximity to the South West Pacific Area theatre of the Second World War, the city played a prominent role in the defence of Australia. The city became a temporary home to thousands of Australian and American servicemen, as well as MacArthur Central building being made the headquarters of General Douglas MacArthur.

Brisbane finally gained widespread recognition in the 1980s when it hosted two events of international importance — these events being the 1982 Commonwealth Games and the Expo '88 World's Fair.

Notable Brisbane-born people in history

• Peter Doherty, medical researcher and Nobel Prize winner
• Bill Hayden, former Governor-General of Australia
• Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, pioneer aviator, who made the first flight across the Pacific in his aircraft,
  the "Southern Cross", from San Francisco, California, USA to Brisbane, Queensland, Australia in 1928
• Emma Miller, pioneer labour activist and suffragist

Brisbane history and timeline
Further information about Brisbane's history can be read in the article History of Brisbane, which concentrates on both Brisbane's history
and Brisbane's historical timeline.

Environment

Geography

Image:AustBrisMap.PNG

Brisbane city centre is situated in the southeast corner of Queensland, Australia, at a latitude and longitude of 27°28′ S 153°02′ E. The city straddles the Brisbane River, and its eastern suburbs line the shores of Moreton Bay. The greater Brisbane region lies on the coastal plain east of the Great Dividing Range, although the urban area is dotted by large hills reaching up to 300 metres such as Mount Coot-tha, Mount Gravatt, Whites Hill and Stephens Mountain.

The CBD is situated in a curve of a river. Covering only 2.2 square kilometers, it is easily walkable. The central streets are named for members of the House of Hanover (see Brisbane city streets).

Many historic sandstone buildings have been preserved, but the majority of the CBD consists of highrise buildings. As a result of the small area it covers, the density of buildings is quite high. There are several parks around the city (see List of parks and gardens in Brisbane).

Brisbane has a lower inner-city population density compared with Australia's two largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. This is a result of most of Brisbane's housing stock consisting of detached houses, with few terrace houses in Brisbane and apartments dating before 1970 are relatively uncommon. Pre-1950 housing stock is often built in a distinctive architectural style known as a Queenslander, featuring large verandahs and built on stilts to maximise the circulation of cool air during summer months. Overall the city has a density of 379.4 people per square kilometer, which is comparable to that of Sydney. Recently the density of the city and innercity neighbourhoods has increased with the construction of apartments, with the result that the population of the central business district has doubled over the last 5 years.^[1]

Topography

Terrain

Brisbane's terrain is dominated by the slicing of the city by the Brisbane River. Many parts of the city consist of many small steep hills. Large flat areas in Brisbane are predominately river floodplain. The sheer amount of space that Brisbane has provides larger, less dense suburbs than in most Australian metropolitan cities.

Natural Disasters

Generally, the city is low-lying and susceptible to severe flooding, demostrated by the devastation of the 1974 Brisbane flood, which occurred as a result of "Cyclone Wanda". Many suburban creeks also criss cross the city increasing the risk of localised flooding.

Continual non-stop heavy rain had fallen during the three weeks leading up to the flood, which occurred on Sunday 27 January, 1974, during the Australia Day weekend. The 1974 Brisbane flood damaged many parts of the city, especially in the suburbs of Oxley, Bulimba, Rocklea , Coorparoo and Newfarm. the City Botanic gardens were also inundated, leading to a new colony of mangroves to form in the City Reach of the Brisbane River.

Like most of Queensland, Brisbane's especially humid, sub-tropical climate allows for the occasional threat of cyclones. Flooding remains the number one threat, and the focus of disaster preparations within the Brisbane City Council which has come under numerous criticisms since the problems of 1974.

Climate

Brisbane has a subtropical climate with hot, moist summers and mild, dry winters. Brisbane is subject to high humidity, mainly from November through to April. Summer thunderstorms are common, and Brisbane frequently experiences hailstorms, cyclonic winds and more recently severe drought during the summer months. January is generally the hottest month, with an average maxium 29 °C (85 °F) and minimum of 21 °C (69 °F), while June is the coldest with temperatures between 20 °C (69°F) and 10 °C (49 °F). The highest recorded temperature in the city was 43.2 °C (109.8 °F) on the 26 January 1940, while the lowest was 2.3 °C (36.1 °F) on the 12 July 1894 and 2 July 1896. ^[2]

Brisbane has an average annual rainfall of 1146 mm (45.1 in), with January usually the wettest month with a mean rainfall of 160 mm (6.3 in). The wettest day occured on 21 January with 465 mm (18.3 in) of rain, the highest of any of Australia's capital cities. August and September are the driest months, averaging less than 50 mm per year.

Government and demographics

The population of the Brisbane City Council is estimated at 957,010 (as of June 2004). Together with seven surrounding Local Government Areas, Brisbane has an estimated metropolitian population of 1.77 million as of June 2004. Brisbane City Council is the most populous Local Government Area in Australia. Brisbane boasts Australia's highest rate of capital city population growth. The metropolitan population reportedly grew by 11.5% between 1999 and 2004.

The last Australian Census in 2001 showed that 1.7% of Brisbane's population are of indigenous origins, while 21.0% were born overseas. Approximately 13.5% of households speak a language other than English, with the most popular being Chinese, Vietnamese and Italian. The median age across the city is 32 years old.^[3]

Unlike most other Australian capital cities, the city of Brisbane is controlled by a single local government entity the Brisbane City Council. Brisbane City Council is the largest local government body (in terms of population and budget) in Australia.

The Council, formed by the merger of twenty smaller councils in 1925, (under the City of Brisbane Act 1924) has jurisdiction over an area of 1367 km2. Its annual budget is approximatly $1.6 billion, and has an asset base of $13 billion.

Other local government areas which are close to Brisbane can be found here: Close to the City of Brisbane article.

The city of Brisbane is divided into 26 wards, each of which elects a council member as a representative. The Lord Mayor of Brisbane and Councillors are elected every four year by popular vote, in which all residents must participate. The current Lord Mayor of Brisbane is Campbell Newman, who was elected to the position in March 2004. For further information about the Brisbane City Council, see the Brisbane City Council article.

For information about the Brisbane-based Queensland State Government, and the Parliament House building, see articles Queensland State Government, the Queensland Legislative Assembly, and Parliament House in Queensland.

Economy

Brisbane has a diverse and vibrant economy with many sectors and industries represented in the city's total production of goods and services. Both white-collar and blue-collar industries are present, with white-collar industries such as information technology, financial services, higher education and public sector administration generally concentrated in and around the central business district and recently established office parks in the inner suburbs. Brisbane has had the highest percentage growth in white-collar employment of Australia's 5 major cities since 2002. Blue-collar industries such as petroleum refining, stevedoring, paper milling, metalworking and QR railway workshops tend to be located on the lower reaches of the Brisbane River and in new industrial zones on the urban fringe. Tourism is an important part of the Brisbane economy, both in its own right and as a gateway to other areas of Queensland.

Developing the Smart State's Capital

To encourage diversification, during the late 1990s and early 2000s the Queensland state government has been developing technology and science industries in Queensland as a whole, and Brisbane in particular, as part of its "Smart State" campaign. The government has invested in several biotechnology and research facilities at several universities in Brisbane. The Institute for Molecular Bioscience at the University of Queensland (UQ) Saint Lucia Campus is a large CSIRO and Queensland state government initiative for research and innovation that is currently being emulated at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Campus at Kelvin Grove with the establishment of the Institute for Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI). According to the state government this QUT facility is intended to cross-fertilise with the UQ facility and make Brisbane a science and research hub of Australia and the region.

Brisbane based companies

Known for its welcoming atmosphere, government support and low taxes, the city now hosts the headquarters of many major Australian and International corporations. Major banks such as Suncorp Metway, Airlines (Virgin Blue), Engineering firms (Mincom) and Aeronautic manufacturers (Boeing) to name but a few host their national and/or global operations in Brisbane. Internet companies such as Wotif.com, the largest Australian online accommodation provider, and Realestate.com.au also host their central offices in Brisbane. Like other global centres Information Technology is also a growing industry in Brisbane, with both fibre infrastructure leaders Pipe Networks and global leaders in web and application hosting WebCentral basing their operations in the city.

Universities in Brisbane

Brisbane, like many other Australian capitals, is home to many large, multi-campus universities and colleges. The universities in Brisbane include one of the presigious Group of Eight universities as well as a range of independant teritary centres. Brisbane is covered under the jurisdiction of Queensland Education regarding public primary and high schools.

A number of tertiary education institutions have campuses in Brisbane, or in the surrounding areas:

Brisbane based universities

• University of Queensland - UQ is one of the largest and most accredited universities in Australia. Two of its three campuses are located in Brisbane,
  with the third being located in Gatton. The UQ St Lucia campus is the
  largest of the three UQ campuses (and has its own postcode).

• Queensland University of Technology has campuses in Gardens Point,
  Kelvin Grove and Carseldine.

• Griffith University - Nathan Campus, located in the suburb of Nathan
  was the first Griffith University campus to be established in Queensland. There are also campuses at Mount Gravatt, Logan Shire, two at Southbank (The Queensland Conservatorium of Music and the Queensland College of Art), and at the Gold Coast. The Gold Coast campus is the largest in Queensland, and Griffith University has more campuses then any other Queensland university.

Other universities with Brisbane campuses

• Australian Catholic University
• Central Queensland University
• University of Canberra
• University of New South Wales
• University of Southern Queensland

Colleges and institutes

Colleges with specific focuses

Independant, specific curriculum focused colleges in Brisbane.

• Australian College of Natural Medicine - Located in Fortitude Valley.
• Brisbane College of Theology - Provides university level accreditation through links with Griffith University as well as other religious based schools in Brisbane.
• QANTM - Technology based college providing accreditations in areas including Games Design, E-commerce and Desktop Publishing. Located in the CBD.

TAFE institutes in Brisbane

Brisbane has a number of both state-subsidised TAFE colleges that provide nationally accredited Diplomas and Certificates in a number of trades, as well as specific job based skill sets and arts.

• Bremer Institute of TAFE - Campuses in Inala and Springfield.
• Brisbane North Institute of TAFE - Campuses in Brisbane city, Eagle Farm and Red Hill.
• Moreton Institute of TAFE - Campus in Brisbane city
• Southbank Institute of TAFE - Campuses in Kangaroo Point, Morningside and South Brisbane.
• Yeronga Institute - Campuses in Yeronga and Chelmer.

Heritage and landmarks

Brisbane is home to many traditional and modern landmarks. Here are some of the most notable:

• Story Bridge — A cantilever bridge connecting Fortitude Valley to Kangaroo Point. Constructed, like the Sydney Harbour Bridge, as a public works program during the Great Depression, The bridge is the home of the River Festival and is lit up at night. Bridge climbs are becoming a major tourist attraction.
• Brisbane City Hall — The Brisbane City Hall, with its imposing clock tower, was the most expensive building in Australia until the completion of the Sydney Opera House in 1971. Still the working headquarters of municipal government, the City Hall houses a museum of Brisbane history and opens its main towers to tourists during the day.
• Queensland Parliament House, in George Street, Brisbane, is the site of Queensland State Parliament. It was built in the 1880s during colonial times.
• Old Government House, Queensland — the first Government House was built during the late 1820s and early 1830s. It was home for the first Governor of Queensland, Sir George Ferguson, and is located in the grounds of Queensland University of Technology.
• Government House, Queensland — located in the Brisbane suburb of Bardon.
• The Mansions — was built during colonial times in 1889. "The Mansions", which was the home of Queensland's first woman doctor, is of the same vintage as the Queensland Parliament House building, and is located in the same vicinity.
• Customs House — in Queen Street, was originally used for the collection of Customs duty. The building, which dates back to colonial times, is now owned by the University of Queensland. Customs House is within easy reach of the CityCat catamaran ferry service. There is a restaurant within the building, and concerts are also held there.
• The Windmill — was built by convicts for grinding wheat during the 1820s. It is Brisbane's oldest building.
• General Post Office Building — was also built during the 1800s.
• The old Treasury Building — For 70 years the seat of power for the Queensland Government Treasury, this Edwardian sandstone building at the top of the George Street government precinct is now the Conrad Treasury Casino.
• State Law Building — With its post-modern design, the State Law Building is known locally as "Gotham Tower" (see Gotham City) or the "Batman Building" because of its distinctive top. The refurbishment was designed by a local architect from Conrad & Gargett.
• Law Courts Complex — Close to the State Law Building, the Law Courts Complex is home to the Queensland Supreme Court and the Queensland District Court.
• Newstead House — Built for Queensland's first Governor on the Breakfast Creek bank of the Brisbane River, Newstead House has been the elegant private home of an army captain, a slave trader, an opera singer and a newspaper baron, and is now open to the public.
• Brisbane Exhibition Ground — Operated by the RNA (Royal National Agricultural and Industrial Association of Queensland), the showgrounds are home to the annual Royal Queensland Show, better known as the Ekka, which attracts more than 600,000 visitors every year.
• Old Museum, in Bowen Hills — former home of the Queensland Museum, now home to the Queensland Youth Orchestras.
• Queensland Museum — part of the Queensland Cultural Centre at South Bank.
• The Old State Library Building, in William Street, Brisbane — former home of the State Library of Queensland
• AMP Place — Brisbane's first 'true' skyscraper at 130 m was built in 1978.
• Riverside Centre — A modern, heritage-listed building which hosts weekend markets and is also the location of several well-known restaurants, as well as the Brisbane Stock Exchange. Designed by Harry Seidler in 1986.
• The Skyneedle — Originally built for World Expo 88, the Skyneedle stands 88m from the ground and during special events beams light skywards with a visibility of more than 60 km.

Tourist destinations

Popular tourist destinations within Brisbane

Popular with tourists are the South Bank Parklands, which are located on the site of World Expo '88. The South Bank Parklands is famous for firework displays that attract thousands of spectators. Tourists and locals alike frequent the beautiful bougainvillea lined Riverside Walkway at all times of the year and flock to the area during music and arts festivals.

Other popular areas for tourists include the Roma Street Parkland, the Brisbane City Botanic Gardens (a colonial era botanic gardens founded in 1855 in the Brisbane CBD), and the Mount Coot-tha state forest, which includes a lookout over the city, as well as Brisbane Botanic Gardens (contemporary botanical gardens), and the Sir Thomas Brisbane Planetarium in Toowong. For a listing of some of Brisbane's parks and gardens, see the List of parks and gardens in Brisbane article.

Other popular Brisbane tourist destinations include Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary at Fig Tree Pocket (which was founded in 1927 and is the oldest and largest Koala sanctuary in the world), and Brisbane Forest Park at The Gap. Brisbane is also home to rockclimbing cliffs at the suburb of Kangaroo Point, which has an extensive riverside bikeway which passes near the cliffs.

Annual events

• Ekka (the Royal Queensland Show) is held in August, at the Brisbane Exhibition Ground

• Riverfestival is held in September at South Bank Parklands and surrounding areas, and also Victoria Bridge. "Riverfestival" includes "Riverfire", a fireworks display which is nationally famous, and which often includes a "dump and burn" by an F-111 Jet Fighter Aircraft.

Theatre and stage

Performing arts venues

• Brisbane Arts Theatre on Petrie Terrace, Brisbane
• Brisbane Entertainment Centre at Boondall
• Judith Wright Centre of Contemporary Arts at Fortitude Valley
• La Boite's Roundhouse Theatre in Kelvin Grove
• Metro Arts Theatre on George Street, Brisbane
• Powerhouse in New Farm
• Queensland Performing Arts Centre at South Bank
  (Optus Playhouse, Lyric Theatre, Concert Hall, Cremorne Theatre)
• Queensland Conservatorium of Music at South Bank
• QUT Gardens Theatre at the Queensland University of Technology,
  Gardens Point Campus, George Street, Brisbane
• Roma Street Parkland Amphitheatre
• Schonell Theatre at the University of Queensland, St. Lucia

Performing arts companies

• The Queensland Orchestra — Opera Queensland — Operatif — Opera Musicale — Queensland University Musical Society — Queensland Ballet — Queensland Conservatorium of Music — Queensland Theatre Company — Queensland Youth Orchestras —
  Grin and Tonic Theatre Company — Ignatius Musical Society — Queensland Musical Society — Brisbane Gang Show

Notable Brisbane-born people in performing arts

• Thea Astley (novelist) -- Ray Barrett (actor) -- Jeffrey Black (opera singer) -- Diane Cilento (actress) -- Barry Creyton (actor) -- Janet Fielding (actress) -- David Malouf (novelist and poet) -- Barry Otto (actor) -- Miranda Otto (actress) -- John Stanton (actor) -- Leonard Teale (actor) -- Geraldine Turner (actress) -- Judith Wright (poet) -- Rebecca Yates (ballerina)

Popular entertainment

Brisbane was the birthplace of some of Australia's best-known bands and contemporary musicians.

In 1976 Brisbane's first FM radio station began broadcasting from a studio at the University of Queensland Student Union. 4ZZ (later 4ZZZ) became a catalyst for the development of original music in the Queensland capital. Bands such as The Saints, The Go-Betweens, The Riptides and The Laughing Clowns established an ecosystem for alternative music that continues to flourish.

Brisbane's nightlife is a thriving and varied mix of various pubs, clubs, themed bars, and various other unique venues. Generally, the areas of interest can be split into two areas: The "city" (CBD) and the "valley" (Fortitude Valley). While the city consists of venues catering to those with a more traditional taste in music or atmosphere, the Valley offers a drastically different, more cosmopolitan selection of places.

The Queen Street Mall offers nightclubs, and Fortitude Valley (which is popularly known as 'the Valley'), was zoned as an entertainment precinct in 2004, and is home to pubs, bars and nightclubs.

Unique highlights in the city would include Strike Bowling, a nightclub with bowling lanes, and Jade Buddah, a lounge bar with delicate tunes and a surprising range of merging age groups. In the Valley, the main popularity lands with The Family Nightclub, the biggest dance club in SE Queensland, consisting of 4 themed levels and multiple bars. For more alternative tastes, look no further than The Depot, for punk music as well as comfy couches and great drinks.

Those just looking for a simple drink or a more conventional experience have hundreds of venues to choose from. In the city, The Victory and Stock Exchange both provide cheap drinks with a party atmosphere. Adrenaline Sports Bar may fetch a sports celebrity sighting or two with your beer. In the Valley, look no furthur then the Elephant and Wheelbarrow or Dooleys for a traditional Irish/British pub experience, or RG's and Belluchies for a modern Australian pub.

For those who simply want a beer without the fuss, there are pubs known as RSL's or Hotels which offer cheap drinks and meals littered around the suburbs. At night they usually offer struggling bands a gig or two as well as other free entertainment. Those also looking for a gamble can make their way over to Brisbane's Casino, the Conrad Treasury for all the popular table and slot games, live music, and of course, $3 Daqueris.

Live Music

Those looking for live music will find more gigs then they can handle. All types of live music can be found in Brisbane - Ranging from Dance, the thriving Punk/Hardcore scene, as well as Rock, Pop and Hiphop. Most venues are found in the Valley and its surrounding areas, after the closure of the popular Mary St and Festival Hall city venues. Those include The Troubador, The Arena, The Tiboli, The Empire Hotel and The Press Club as well as the many other venues offering a stage and a microphone. Most events are ticketed which can be purchased at the door, but a few require pre-purchasing from music stores such as Rockinghorse or Skinny's.

Brisbane City Council is currently waging (and winning) a war on live music in Fortitude Valley. Once considered the rough end of town, The Valley has undergone extensive residential development beginning in 2000. Now considered a trendy and convenient by urban professionals, residential developers have lobbied Council to ‘turn down the volume’ in the Valley, to encourage inner-urban migration. The council have subsequently obliged by regulating many institutions out of business.

Most major concerts are held in the Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Boondall, which has hosted everyone from U2 and Britney Spears to The Foo Fighters and Coldplay. Most tickets for these sort of events are presold though companies such as Ticketek, and very rarely at the door. Other major events (including raves) are hosted at the RNA Showgrounds due to its massive size and under utilization other then during the Ekka.

Notable Brisbane bands and Brisbane-born musicians

• B — The Bee Gees — Butterfingers
• C — Custard
• G — GANGgajang — Gina G — George — The Go-Betweens
• H — Darren Hayes — The Hipshooters
• M — Sophie Monk — Pete Murray
• P — Tex Perkins — Powderfinger
• R — Regurgitator — The Riptides
• S — The Saints — Savage Garden — The Sunnyboys
• T — Joel Turner
• U — Keith Urban
• V — The Veronicas
• X — Xero

Shopping and restaurants

Major shopping areas in Brisbane and Brisbane suburbs consist of shopping centres and malls — large multi-leveled buildings containing hundreds if not thousands of individual stores.

Brisbane and Fortitude Valley shops and restaurants

Major shopping precincts exist throughout the CBD, in the Queen Street Mall and in Fortitude Valley. Most of these stores are usually the central or headquarter stores of their other franchises in the city.

The Queen Street Mall offers a range of restaurants, souvenirs and award winning shopping centres, including: Wintergarden, Broadway on the Mall, Queens Plaza and the Myer Centre.

In Fortitude Valley (which is popularly known as 'the Valley'), the Brunswick Street mall hosts bustling pedestrian markets on Saturday and Sunday mornings, and is home to restaurants and cafés, and to Brisbane's Chinatown precinct.

Brisbane suburban shops and restaurants

Major shopping centres (or malls) can also be located throughout the various suburbs of Brisbane. The largest, Indooroopilly Shopping Centre, Westfield Chermside and Westfield Carindale, are located in the areas after which they are named, while Westfield Garden City is located in the suburb of Mount Gravatt. These suburbs - Indooroopilly, in the west; Chermside on the north-side; Carindale, in the southeast; and Mount Gravatt, on the south side - have been described as mini-CBDs. All these centres contain everything from international fashion outlets, pharmacies, banks, electronics stores and more. Popular restaurant districts across the suburbs include: New Farm, Teneriffe,
West End, Bulimba, Milton, Rosalie, Paddington and Sunnybank.

See also

• Shopping Centres in South East Queensland.

Brisbane sport

Sports grounds, stadiums and teams

Image:Suncorp-Stadium-Milton-Queensland.jpg

• Suncorp Stadium (Originally Lang Park) — Suncorp Stadium in Milton is the spiritual home of Rugby League in Australia, and is the home of Queensland Rugby League, the Brisbane Broncos, the Queensland Roar FC, the Queensland Reds and the annual State of Origin rugby league clash between Queensland (the Maroons) and New South Wales (the Blues). Lang Park became Suncorp Stadium in 1994 after Suncorp became naming rights sponsor. Teams based there include: Queensland Roar FC (Football (soccer)), Brisbane Broncos (Rugby League), Queensland Reds (Rugby Union). Individual players and officials face stiff fines if they accidentally publicly refer to the venue by its former name.

• Brisbane Cricket Ground — (sometimes known as The Gabba because of its location at the Brisbane suburb of Woolloongabba), hosts domestic and international cricket matches, as well as Australian rules football. Home of the Queensland Bulls (Cricket) and the Brisbane Lions (Australian rules football), the Brisbane Cricket Ground hosted football matches for the Sydney 2000 Olympics and was the site of the famous tied test of 1960 between the West Indies and Australia. Teams based there include: Queensland Bulls (Cricket) and Brisbane Lions (Australian rules football).

• ANZ Stadium — Formerly known as QE2 Stadium, at Nathan the third largest sporting arena in Queensland. The stadium was built as a temporary venue for the 1982 Commonwealth Games but endured as home for the Brisbane Broncos rugby league team during the 1990s and hosted the 2001 Goodwill Games.

• Brisbane Exhibition Ground — (also known as the RNA Showgrounds) is the home of the Brisbane Ekka that takes place every August. It has also been the home to Cricket, Rugby League, and Australian Rules Football.

• Ballymore — is the home Rugby in Brisbane, and is the former home of the Queensland Reds, who play in the Tooheys New Super 14 Rugby Union series. It also plays host to Brisbane Premier Rugby games, and was once home to the Brisbane Strikers soccer club.

• Perry Park — is the spiritual home of Soccer in Brisbane, and is home to the Brisbane Strikers, who play in the local Brisbane competition after being unsuccessful in their A-League bid.

• Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre — team based there: Brisbane Bullets (Basketball)

• Sleeman Sports Centre — team based there: Queensland Firebirds (Netball)

Other Brisbane sports grounds are: Langlands Park (at Stones Corner), and Purtell Park (at Bardon).

Brisbane sports events

• 1982 Commonwealth Games are held in Brisbane
• 1992, 1993 Brisbane Broncos won consecutive New South Wales Rugby League premierships
• 1997,1998 Brisbane Broncos won consecutive Super League (Australia) and NRL premierships
• 2000 Brisbane Broncos win the NRL premiership
• 2000 Olympic soccer matches during Sydney Olympics
• 2001 Goodwill Games are held in Brisbane
• 2001-2003 Brisbane Lions won consecutive Australian Football League premierships
• 2003 Hosted matches during Rugby Union World Cup, including semi-final
• Annual Brisbane Cricket Ground (Gabba) Test Cricket match
• Annual State of Origin Rugby League football series at Suncorp Stadium

• Besides spectator sport and sports teams, Brisbane hosts several mass participation events each year, including the Bridge to Brisbane fun run each year in August and the Brisbane Marathon in April each year.

Brisbane sports highlights

• 1960 - the Brisbane Cricket Ground the Test Match between Australia and the West Indies ended with a tie on 14 December, 1960.
  It was the first Tied Test in the history of cricket.
• 1980 - The first ever State of Origin game, which was held at Lang Park, with the Maroons winning 20-10.
• 1982 - the 1982 Commonwealth Games, which were held in Brisbane, were very successful. The Duke of Edinburgh opened the Commonwealth Games, and Queen Elizabeth II closed them. The mascot for the Commonwealth Games was Matilda, a giant-sized kangaroo who winked at the spectators.
• 1997 - the Brisbane Broncos won the Super League premiership at ANZ Stadium in front of more than 58,000 people. It was the first
  (and to this day, only) Australia-wide Rugby League Grand Final held outside of Sydney.

Notable Brisbane-born sportspeople

• Jodie Henry (swimmer), Ian Healy (cricketer), Michael Kasprowicz (cricketer), Wally Lewis (rugby league player), Robbie McEwen (professional bicycle racer), Alice Mills (swimmer), Susie O'Neill (swimmer), Kieren Perkins (swimmer), Giaan Rooney (swimmer), Jessicah Schipper (swimmer).

Transport

Public transport

Brisbane has one of the most comprehensive and reliable public transport systems in Australia, with high frequencies in the inner city with average but rapidly improving service levels in many outer suburbs. Rapidly becoming increasingly popular due to rising fuel costs, the system provides a suburban rail network operated by CityTrain, a division of Queensland Rail, complete city wide bus service, and Ferries (including high speed CityCat catamarans) both operated by Brisbane Transport, a business arm of the Brisbane City Council. Buses that serve the regional areas outside the City of Brisbane boundaries are operated by private sector companies contracted by the State Government.

The CBD, like most cities, serves as the central hub for all public transport services; with Queen Street Bus Station for Buses, Roma Street and Central stations for trains, and North Quay for Ferries. Various smaller transfer hubs, such as the Cultural Centre Busway Station are located at various strategically placed points of public importance and public interest in the city, including the Queensland Cultural Centre, South Bank Parklands and shopping malls which are usually within dense population centres.

The large CityTrain urban rail network, consists of 7 suburban lines and covers mostly the west, north and east sides of the city. It also provides an AirTrain service from most northern suburbs directly to the airport terminal. While stretching as far as both coasts, the southern part of the network does not enter through any major suburbs or districts. This is mainly due to the placing of major freeways such as the South-East Freeway and the M1, as well as lack of early planning on southern Brisbane growth. To this day, the easiest way to reach most of the Southern area via public transport is via bus.

To deliver workable public transport to areas outside of the metropolitan train lines, the Busways were established to deliver unrestricted bus travel throughout the southern (and to a lesser note the northern) corridors of the city by providing roads where only buses are permitted. Two busways have opened in recent years in Brisbane — the South-East Busway and the Inner-Northern Busway, with two more busways and new rail lines planned. Public transport has been the only infrastructure that Brisbane has typically always improved and maintained, especially as it struggles to keep up with rapid population growth.

Brisbane has recently integrated a single ticketing system under the name Translink, a State Government agency, which allows for flat-rate fares on all forms of public transport within the city. Within this system, the city is divided into zones which remove the confusion of bus/train route fares and allow any travel between multiple areas to be the same price, regardless of which method is chosen. All services, both state, local and private, operate under this banner. Translink will also be introducing smartcard technology for public transport within the year, which is currently being piloted within the inner metropolitan parts of the city.

At time of writing (October, 2005), a 6 month probational period is about to begin on 24-hour public transport services.

Brisbane Bus, CityCat and City-Ferry information

For a list of routes, see TransLink services

See also Brisbane City Council information about Bus services and CityCat and City-Ferry services for the Brisbane area

Taxis

Two major cab companies operate in Brisbane; Yellow Cabs, and Black and White Cabs. Both companies offer same rate service, as well as pickup from anywhere in the metropolitan and regional areas of Brisbane via bookings or permanent cab ranks. As well as standard taxis, both provide Maxi-Taxis, designed to fit up to 10 people as well disability access. Most cabs now are also fitted with Satellite Navigation and EFTPOS debit/credit card facilities. Most Brisbanites share a mutual dislike for cabbies, known for their awful driving habits as well as their selective pickups and incredibly strange stories. Like or dislike them, they are an inaugural part of the transport system.

Challenges to the transport system

Brisbane's massive population growth has seen great strains placed upon South East Queensland's transport system. The State Government and Brisbane City Council have responded with infrastructure plans and increased funding for transportation projects, such as the South-East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program. Most of the focus has been placed on expanding current road infrastructure, particularily tunnels and bypasses, as well as continually improving the public transport system.

Transport history

Further information can be read in Brisbane Transport, which includes the history of Brisbane's public transport from colonial times, as well as information about Brisbane's bus and ferry services.

Roads

Since Brisbane was never designed to accommodate a large urban population, its road system was planned specifically around large and spacious suburban areas. Densely packed suburbs now rely on several main road corridors that split through and between these areas and provide the only link to the CBD and other areas of Brisbane. Coronation Drive, Logan Rd, Moggill Rd, and Lutwytch Rd are but a few of these multi-lane corridors that come out of the CBD and snake through the suburbs. As a result, traffic congestion has become a major problem and it was out of the promise of a new road system, nicknamed TransApex that current Lord Mayor Campbell Newman won his election.

Bypasses such as the very successful Inner City Bypass and the future Airport Bypass help to circumvent traffic away from the city areas and main roads via a gateway road above the ground that has a higher speed limit and exits to particular suburbs. Existing high speed cross-suburban motorways such as the Western Freeway and the Centenary Highway provide alternative routes to main roads and connect up to main highways and other arterial roads.

In total, the twisting Brisbane River is crossed by seven road bridges, two railway bridges and two pedestrian bridges. Route signage is achieved by means of a system of Metroads, consisting of the most important arterial roads in metropolitan Brisbane including most motorways, and less important State Routes. Multiple freeways connect Brisbane to other cities, including the Pacific Motorway, part of the National Freeway System, the M1, the Bruce Highway, the Hume Highway, and the only toll road in the region, the Gateway Motorway. Brisbane is approximately 1000kms away from Sydney, its closest major capital city.

Airports

Brisbane Airport, owned by the Brisbane Airport Corporation, and located north-east of the city, is the biggest airport in the state. Separated into two terminal facilities with frequent domestic and international passenger and freight flights, it provides direct flights to every capital city in Australia, as well as most destinations in Asia, Europe, and the Middle East. The second largest airline in Australia, Virgin Blue Airlines, is headquartered in Brisbane, while other major airlines Qantas and Jetstar both fly from Brisbane Airport.

A special AirTrain takes passengers directly to stations at both the Domestic and International Terminals at Brisbane Airport. It takes approximately 20 minutes for the AirTrain to travel from Central Railway Station to the Brisbane Airport stations.

Like most world class airports, a $58 million dollar Factory Outlet (DPO) shopping mall has opened at Brisbane Airport providing discount shopping within a kilometre of the terminals. The location of the shopping mall, on the only road leading to Brisbane Airport, has been a source of irritation to both airline passengers and discount shoppers alike, with complaints that the resultant heavy traffic, being shared between the two, is causing major traffic delays. This has been especially detrimental for airline passengers, because the traffic delays have caused some passengers to be late checking in and consequently causing them to miss their flights.

A $280 million dollar upgrade is in the planning stages at the International Terminal while federal government approval has been sought for a second runway to enable the airport to keep up with the rise in passenger numbers. Considered world class, the Airport won Best Privatised Airport of 2005 by the International Air Transport Association IATA.

Archerfield Airport is located in Brisbane's southern suburbs and used only by light aircraft and general aviation. Other local airports can be found at Caboolture and Redcliffe.

Seaports

Brisbane has excellent and modern seaport facilities, located at or near the mouth of the Brisbane River on both banks. Container freight, sugar, grain, coal and bulk liquids all pass through the Port of Brisbane. These port facilities are less than three decades old and some are built on reclaimed mangroves and wetlands. Historically, Brisbane's port facilities were located as far upstream as the central business district.

The economic region near the river mouth including the port, airport and refineries is known as the Australia TradeCoast. It is anticipated that 8% or more of Brisbane's jobs will be located here in coming years.

Media

Television

Brisbane is served by eightbroadcast television stations:

• ABC
• ABC2 ABC2(digital)
• Seven
• Nine
• Ten
• SBS
• An SBS worldwide newsreports digital channel
• Briz 31 (a community television station)

The television channels broadcast from the top of Mount Coot-tha.

Radio

see also List of radio stations in Brisbane

The ABC transmits all five of its radio networks to Brisbane:

• 612 ABC Brisbane, part of the ABC Local Radio network.
• Radio National
• Triple J
• ABC NewsRadio
• ABC Classic FM

The other major Radio Stations to be broadcast in Brisbane are:

• B105 FM
• Triple M
• NEW 97.3
• River 94.9
• NovaFM
• 4BC
• 4BH
• 4KQ

In addition to the community radio stations 4ZZZ, BayFM 100.3, multicultural 4EB and the radio station for the print handicapped 4RPH, 98.9 FM for the Best Country (it was the first indigenous radio station in a capital city), 101FM (Logan), 4OUR (Caboolture), 997FM (Redcliffe), Switch 1197 AM, 96.5 FM Family, 4MBS Classic FM 103.7 and 4TAB (betting), there are these commercial radio stations in Brisbane:

SBS also broadcasts its national radio network to Brisbane. WorldAudio National Radio 2 transmits on 1620AM (City) and 1629AM (North). Radio Brisvaani provides a voice to the Indian community with Hindi language service on 1701AM.

Newspapers

Brisbane has only one daily newspaper, The Courier-Mail, and one Sunday paper, The Sunday Mail, both owned by News Corporation. Brisbane also recieves the national daily, The Australian, and the Weekend Australian, as well as numerous other national newspapers such as the Financial Times.

There are also numerous community and suburban newspapers throughout the metropolitan and regional areas, many of which are produced by Quest Newspapers.

List of Brisbane articles

• History of Brisbane
• Brisbane City Council
• List of Brisbane bridges
• List of Brisbane railway stations
• List of parks and gardens in Brisbane
• Brisbane heritage
• Brisbane city streets
• List of sculptures, statues and memorials in Brisbane
• List of Brisbane suburbs
• List of schools in Queensland
• Close to the City of Brisbane
• Brisbane's sister cities

Trivia

Tongue-in-cheek nicknames for the city include Brissie, Brizzy, Bris Vegas and Brisneyland.

The 1999 blockbuster movie, The Matrix was supposed to have been filmed in Brisbane but the Wachowski brothers decided it was too clean, even though they loved it.

Notes

1. ^ Population Growth Australian Bureau of Statistics Accessed October 14, 2005.
2. ^ ABM Australian Bureau of Meteorology. Accessed October 14, 2005.
3. ^  Demographic Statistics Australian Bureau of Statistics

External links

• Brisbane centre on Google Maps
• about Brisbane
• Historical Brisbane River Map - includes photos and information about Brisbane, the Brisbane River, Brisbane bridges and Brisbane suburbs
• Turrbal History
• Lonely Planet
• History Of Brisbane — BrisBites
• Suburban history
• Brisbane and the Brisbane Region
• Brisbane City Council official website
• OurBrisbane.Com
• Discover the Brisbane River - CityCat Guide - Our Brisbane - Brisbane City Council
• Independent Portal to City of Brisbane Info
• Pictures of Brisbane — Terra Galleria
• Brisbane City Guide — Drive Now
• Skyneedle Information
• Event website

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