It's an accepted truth that not all cities are created equal. Some have enviable climates, others showcase a rich tapestry of culture and the arts, while others enjoy some of the best cuisine the world over. While each city has advantages and appeal, so too does each city have drawbacks and things that irritate which you wish could be changed – with Brisbane being no exception.
Here at
Weekend Notes our writers tend to focus on the best or the top things to do in a city – which is a great thing as mostly when you're looking for something to do you'd rather focus on the memorable rather than the forgettable. However for only time only I'd like to moan about things in Brisbane that really irritate and occasionally infuriate. Some of these could be changed with amendments to policy and regulation, while others are intrinsic to Brisbane and can't be changed no matter what wishful thinking is involved. So with that I bring to you – in my opinion – 5 of the most unfortunate things about our charming Sunshine State capital – Brisbane.
1. Tolls, Tolls, Tolls.
It seems every-time they build a new road in Brisbane it has a lovely little toll attached to it – even if it's just a dash across the river on the Go-Between Bridge a whopping 117 metres long you're still expected to fork up $2.50 for the privilege. The tunnels save time but add close to $10 dollars to a return trip quickly making them unviable for many. Even if it's a necessary crossing over the river on the Gateway Motorway (part of the national highway) there is still a $4 each way for cars. Also tolling your way to bankruptcy and tins of baked beans are the Logan Motorway and the soon-to-be-completed Legacy Way, also set to toll us for the right to drive on its 'paved-with-gold' surface.
Part of the problem is the toll itself, however the payment method of said tolls is a further gripe with no longer an option to pay cash at a tolling booth. Instead the onus is on the driver to remember where they have driven, or give their bank account details to Queensland Motorways to have tolls direct debited from their account. For tourists the toll payment system is a headache with two different companies operating different toll roads. Additionally with only three days to pay a toll after driving on the toll road, the operators quickly bank on the fact people will forget to pay tolls in time which entitles them to charge a hefty administration fee for the laborious task of sending out a letter. Can anyone say cash grab?
2. The Perpetually Brown Brisbane River.
The Brisbane River from the Goodwill Bridge. Nicer if it was a little clearer no?
It's not called the River City for nothing and what would Brisbane be without its river? How much nicer the River City would be however if on any given day the river was not varying shades of murky brown. While some may say it brings character, I've tried explaining the reason of its brownness to international visitors and came up with very little. For the simple sake of aesthetics the pretty city of Brisbane would look so much prettier if the river was just a little clearer and bluer. I know it would have done my international guest's photos of the city more justice and tourism brochures wouldn't have to resort photo-shopping brown hue to blue.
3. Late Night Dining a No-Go, CBD shuts down after hours
Ever tried to get a decent meal after 10pm in Brisbane that doesn't involve fast food, pizza by the slice or sloppy kebab? Well good luck to you since the city and its cafes and restaurants practically shut down after 9pm and often earlier mid-week. While the odd place may be open, Brisbane CBD definitely lacks vibrant after hours meeting places other than the not so cultural Casino or a few pubs. No street vendors, no outdoor performances – just long deserted streets after the office commuters have headed back to the suburbs. For a city approaching 2 million people, Brisbane's heart and CBD really is missing some much needed late-night activities, food and action - the city that never sleeps this is NOT.
4. A Lovely Bay but No Proper Beaches.
Moreton Bay may look nice enough but a proper swimming beach? Forget it. Saw hello to mudflats and stinky mangroves instead
No chance of this ever being changed but Brisbane would be so much better if it had it's own beaches and you didn't have to resort to a 1 hour plus drive to the coasts to swim at a proper beach – and not have to traipse through mudflats on Moreton Bay with no waves. And no, the communal urinal cesspool at Southbank doesn't qualify as a beach. This is a great pity since Brisbane is located on the coast and is no means an 'inland' settlement. If only John Oxley and the original settlers had scoped out a site closer to the open beaches, Brisbane might be the envy of other cities around the nation, most likely taking the mantle from Sydney's iconic Bondi Beach as Australia's most loved urban beach. When its hot in Brisbane (which it is for at least a quarter of the year) it would be so much more fortunate to be able to head to a proper beach of our own instead of having to resort to a lengthy drive to the Gold or Sunshine coast to cool off. And no sadly I don't have a swimming pool or enjoy using public pools. The garden hose and tatty plastic slip and slide will have to do then.
5. The not-so-affordable public transport
Third highest public transport fares in the world - and for that we get a limited network, many not-so-frequent services and did I mention delays?
2012 welcomed another hike in public transport fares and now Brisbane of all places has the dubious honour of having
the third most expensive public transport fares in the world, Behind Oslo and London. Perhaps we should be willing to pay top dollar if we had the services of London's double deckers and fantastic rail network, however sadly our network of buses and trains are nowhere near as frequent or extensive. A recent adult ZONE 1 paper ticket from Kangaroo Point (practically on the edge of the city) into the CBD cost me $4.50 on a bus - a journey of not even 3 kilometres.
Even the much-loved City Cat is limited to a few stops on the lengthy Brisbane River stopping well short of the many riverside suburbs further up and downstream.
Delays on weekends are routine on the train network as buses often replace trains on many train lines - however discounts for the delays? I think not. Here's an often parroted thought which I subscribe to: Make public transport more affordable, and while you're at it the tolls roads then people might actually want to stop using their cars and take pressure off the already congested Brisbane roads.
And with that off my chest...
With all that's been said, I'd like to assure that I still do like Brisbane, and no I won't be leaving anytime soon so hopefully that takes care of the predictable 'love it or leave it' remarks. Its just that should I have the divine powers these things would be at the top of my things to change about Brisbane. After all there's room for improvement with everything is there not? For those readers who also have a bone to pick with Brisbane please feel free to share you despair with a comment, rant, a whinge or just a general moan.
