Two popular inner-city parks will be partially closed after testing revealed potentially toxic heavy metals in the soil.
Brisbane City Council confirmed substances including copper, nickel and zinc had been detected at James Warner Park and C.T. White Park on the west side of Kangaroo Point.
“[These] are really special riverside spaces with a long history,” Tracy Davis, chair of the council’s environment, parks and sustainability committee, said in a statement.
“After undergoing testing and determining the best approach, we’re getting on with cleaning up the parks so they can be enjoyed by residents for years to come.”
Work at James Warner Park is scheduled to begin at the end of April, followed by remediation at C.T. White Park.
Old fill material under the soil will be dug out and replaced, some trees will be removed and new ones planted, new turf will be laid, a new deck will be installed around some trees in the dog park, and general landscaping will be carried out.
The dog park may need to be closed for up to four months. The C.T. White Park playground – which comprises swings, a slide, and a castle-like climbing area – will also be temporarily closed.
Work will take place from 7am to 5pm, Monday to Saturday, and is likely to be completed in late 2026.
The council says the parks are not dangerous, adding the contamination dates back decades to when the land was home to shipyards, wharves and workshops.
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