FAQs

The Better Suburbs – Places and Spaces (BSPS) program improves neighbourhood public spaces by focusing on four key values:

1. People

Creating inclusive, accessible places for everyone.
 Possible improvements include:

• upgrading footpaths
• reclaiming unused areas
• prioritising pedestrians to boost walkability
• adding standard or unique Brisbane City Council street furniture.

2. Sense of Place

Creating distinctive places by celebrating local character and identity.
 Possible improvements include:

• public art and murals
• creative lighting
• pavement designs
• wayfinding elements.

3. Green

Enhancing Brisbane’s subtropical landscape and creating cooler, more comfortable walking environments.
 Possible improvements include:

• planting more street trees
• adding garden beds.

4. Connect

Improving how people move through and access neighbourhood spaces.
 Possible improvements include:

• gateway or marker features
• better wayfinding
• fixing missing or underused links
• increasing tree canopy for shade and comfort.

Each site will have different opportunities depending on community feedback, local needs, the project budget, Council requirements and site-specific constraints.

Council is unable to influence the retail mix of private businesses within neighbourhood precincts. 

The Better Suburbs – Places and Spaces (BSPS) program focuses on improving public spaces by working with the community and local businesses to enhance safety, amenity, and overall appeal. These upgrades can sometimes encourage private investment or redevelopment, but they do not determine the types of shops or services that open.

No. The BSPS program does not build new public toilet facilities. It focuses on improving neighbourhood public spaces such as adding shade, greenery, walkability, and a stronger sense of place.

Council usually does not upgrade or paint private buildings. However, in some cases small works may be needed at the boundary of a business to improve access or ensure compliance. These decisions are made on a site‑by‑site basis.

Yes. BSPS projects can include creative placemaking elements. Community and stakeholder feedback helps decide site‑specific opportunities such as public art, murals, creative lighting, pavement designs, or other integrated features.

The BSPS program does not build new parking areas or multi‑storey car parks.

Projects may include small parking changes—such as formalising or adjusting parking bays or updating time limits and restrictions—developed with Council’s traffic engineers to keep the area safe and accessible.

Each project aims to avoid losing parking, but sometimes parking spaces may need to be removed for safety reasons, such as improving visibility near pedestrian crossings.

Some works need to happen at night because daytime road closures or traffic changes are not always possible especially on busy roads. Night works help reduce impacts on local businesses, daytime traffic, and on‑street parking, and can also be safer for pedestrians and drivers.

Council will try to minimise disruption and will notify residents and businesses in advance about any activities that may affect them.