Fortitude Valley is the subject of a new long-term precinct plan that aims to boost housing, improve public spaces, strengthen transport connections and grow the local economy before the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, while protecting the suburb’s existing heritage and character.
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The Fortitude Valley Sustainable Growth Precinct Plan, developed by Brisbane with input from state officials, will be adopted into Brisbane City Plan 2014 to guide and assess development across the precinct.
The first round of community consultation ran from December 2025 through to 15 February 2026, inviting residents and stakeholders to share their ideas for revitalising the precinct. That feedback, alongside technical investigations and input from state officials, will be used to shape the draft plan. Residents who missed the first round can still view ideas submitted during the engagement period via the Your City Your Say interactive mapping platform.
What the plan covers
According to Brisbane’s local officials, the plan will aim to:
- facilitate housing choice and diversity
- improve connections to places and destinations
- leverage opportunities in the lead up to Brisbane 2032 and beyond
- enhance cultural and creative experiences
- support Fortitude Valley’s rich character and heritage
- support vibrant streets, laneways and public spaces
- boost the 24/7 economy
- create thriving precincts and mixed-use communities.
What residents raised
Among the feedback gathered during the initial consultation period, cycling infrastructure and laneway connectivity featured as notable concerns.
One resident raised concerns about northbound cycling access from Brunswick Street, noting the absence of a safe and comfortable route for cyclists continuing north. The resident indicated that while Wickham Street serves as an alternative, it is neither safe nor comfortable for cyclists or for pedestrians sharing the footpath.
McLachlan Lane was flagged by some respondents. One resident called for the lane to be reactivated and for improved connectivity to Ivory Street Park. A separate submission described walkability in the McLachlan Lane vicinity as poor, citing limited shade, high motor vehicle traffic and proximity to an emergency services station. The same respondent noted that connections to the Howard Smith Wharves precinct could be improved.
Cycling group proposes Valley bikeway
The cycling advocacy group Brisbane CBD BUG (Bicycle User Group) has put forward a proposal for a physically separated bi-directional bikeway through Fortitude Valley, connecting the Breakfast Creek pedestrian and cyclist bridge in Newstead with the CityLink Cycleway on Elizabeth Street. The group has identified two possible corridors — Wickham Street, which it considers the preferred route due to its less steep gradient, or Ann Street as an alternative.
The group argues the infrastructure would have direct economic benefits for the precinct. “We know that bike lanes boost business and it is hard to think of a more sustainable way to grow a precinct than with people riding in, out and through it,” the group posted on Facebook.
Brisbane CBD BUG also pointed to safety concerns as a key driver of the proposal. “Currently the Valley is very much a no go zone for many people on bikes as they fear for their safety, due to the hostile road environment. It is time this changed for the better!”
The proposal received support in the comments, with some respondents noting it would be an opportunity to better connect Brisbane’s high-density districts by bike. However, not all were in agreement on priorities, with one commenter expressing a preference for dedicated bus lanes along the full length of Ann and Wickham streets before bikeway investment, while also acknowledging the need for improved cross-valley cycling access, suggesting the southern side of Gipps Street as a potential route to the Story Bridge.
Read: Behind Queensland’s Growth: The Infrastructure Race to Keep the Lights On
What comes next
A draft precinct plan is expected to be released for a further round of public consultation in late 2026, at which point local officials will also engage with businesses and state officials on the draft plan.
Feedback from that round will be reviewed and incorporated before the plan is finalised. Approval from both local and state officials is expected in 2027, after which the plan will be formally gazetted into Brisbane City Plan 2014.
Published 20-February-2026
