Brisbane Sustainability Agency is proud to announce that Archerfield Wetlands Parkland has been named the winner of the Award for Excellence in the Great Place category at the 2025 Queensland Awards for Planning Excellence, presented by the Planning Institute of Australia.

The judges applauded the Brisbane Sustainability Agency and its partners for an outstanding project, which ensures viability, secures stakeholder buy-in and provides a transferable model for other local governments to implement.

This prestigious recognition celebrates the transformation of a 150-hectare post-industrial floodplain into one of Brisbane’s most significant environmental and recreational assets. Delivered through Brisbane City Council’s Oxley Creek Transformation project, Archerfield Wetlands Parkland exemplifies how thoughtful planning and community collaboration can create places that are resilient, inclusive and deeply valued.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the award was another great recognition for the new park.

“Archerfield Wetlands is a great example of how we can turn once underused spaces into must-do destinations for local residents and visitors to enjoy,” Lord Mayor Schrinner said.

“It’s projects like this that help shape Brisbane’s reputation as Australia’s lifestyle capital providing more to see and do across our suburbs.”

The project reimagined degraded land into a biodiverse, climate-ready landscape through the creative reuse of former wastewater infrastructure, establishing a distinctive sense of place. It integrated flood-compatible infrastructure and more than 100,000 native plants to support ecological resilience while offering nature-based recreation including bushwalking, cycling, birdwatching and play spaces along the Discovery Trail and District Park. These features encourage everyday connection and sustainable tourism. The parkland’s success is also rooted in strong community partnerships with local volunteers and groups actively contributing to long-term conservation and environmental education.

The project was delivered in close partnership with the Yuggera Ugarapul People, guided by a Cultural Heritage Management Plan. Their involvement ensured protection of culturally significant areas and supported Indigenous-led land management through training and restoration initiatives.

Archerfield Wetlands Parkland is more than a green space, it’s a living example of sustainable transformation, community connection and respect for Country. We are honoured to receive this award and remain committed to creating places that inspire, protect and thrive.

To learn more about the Oxley Creek Transformation Project and Archerfield Wetlands Parkland, click here.