CUSP has completed Riverline — a reimagined 1.2-kilometre stretch of Brisbane’s iconic riverfront delivered as part of the $4.5 billion Queen’s Wharf precinct, redefining the city’s relationship with its river.
The $450 million landscape and public realm component stands among the most technically demanding riverfront projects ever undertaken in the southern hemisphere, according to the design team.
Riverline has already played a central role in Queen’s Wharf being recognised at this year’s Urban Development Institute of Australia (UDIA) Queensland Awards for Excellence, with developer Destination Brisbane Consortium securing top honours in both Urban Renewal and Masterplanned Communities categories.
Led by CUSP, the 12-year undertaking repositions Brisbane’s river-edge interface to deliver new active transport links, flood-resilient open space, and an expanded green network across the central business district.
CUSP Director and Co-founder Stephen Pate, whose portfolio includes the James Street Precinct, River Quay at South Bank, and the Home of the Arts (HOTA) on the Gold Coast, said Riverline’s technically complex site demanded unprecedented collaboration between engineers and landscape architects.
“Integrating landscape architecture with complex structural conditions was central to the Riverline project,” Pate said.
“The site required a custom design system that could withstand flood behaviour, accommodate significant visitor loads, and still deliver a highly accessible, people-first public realm.”
Located beneath the shadow of the 1970s Riverside Expressway and above 23 metres of underlying river mud, the narrow tidal site presented major geotechnical and structural challenges.
CUSP’s adaptive design incorporated flood-tolerant plant species, elevated boardwalks, reinforced river edges, and modular landscape elements capable of absorbing and recovering from inundation — features that were tested during Brisbane’s major flood event in 2022 while construction was still underway.
Beyond engineering achievement, Riverline significantly enhances Brisbane’s public life.
The project introduces more than 3,000 square metres of new turf, expanded tree canopy, climate-responsive shade structures, and a continuous walking and cycling loop that connects directly to South Bank’s recreational networks.
The revitalised promenade has also become a stage for major civic events: Brisbane’s annual Riverfire spectacle now attracts more than 50,000 people along both sides of the river.
Pate believes Riverline represents a model for building resilient, connected cities.
“We see firsthand how well-designed environments empower communities, invigorate cities, support healthy active lifestyles, strengthen biodiversity and spark positive social, cultural and economic outcomes,” Pate said.
“Well-designed public spaces do significantly more than just look good — they operate as high-performance green infrastructure.
“Riverline presents a new standard for complex river‑edge design in Australia, proving that with the right technical innovation and vision, even the most challenging sites can become extraordinary public places.”
The project also aligns with long-term regional planning goals ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Riverline’s success sets a precedent for the proposed 2032 Green Grid — a strategy to connect parks, corridors and cycleways across South East Queensland.
“Closer to home, it also ultimately sets the stage for Brisbane’s ‘River City Arena’ ahead of 2032, aligning with our industry’s advocacy for the continued focus on enhancing South East Queensland with connected, high-quality public spaces,” Pate said.
Queen’s Wharf Brisbane — jointly delivered by Star Entertainment Group, Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, and Far East Consortium — is expected to open progressively through 2026, with Riverline serving as its green threshold and gateway to a new era of riverfront urban life.
