Architect releases vision to turn Mount Coot-tha quarry into major multi-precinct tourist attraction

Plans to turn a more than 100-year-old quarry into a massive pool and outdoor performance venue would “put Brisbane on the map” ahead of the 2032 Olympics, an architect says.

Stephen Pratt from PRAX Studio has submitted his vision for Brisbane City Council’s project to turn the Mount Coot-tha quarry near the city centre into a “world-class” destination.

The council, which announced last year it intended to close the quarry and repurpose the land, will consider all submissions before seeking community feedback on its chosen model.

Pratt’s plan includes a “waterhole” and beach as the central focus, 5ha of grassed open space for events, eco-accommodation, an adventure playground, a restaurant and conference venue, an Indigenous cultural centre and subtropical gardens.

“From an overall masterplan point of view, it’s a very big area so there is an opportunity there for it to support a number of different activities,” Pratt told 7NEWS.

“We think there’s a great opportunity for extensive water play in the space, a bit like South Bank but bigger and better, potentially.

“Along with that, we think there’s a terrific opportunity for a large open space, something like Sydney’s Domain, potentially, which has been lacking in Brisbane.

“There was an opportunity here to really do something that, design-wise, would really sort of seek to put Brisbane on the map, particularly looking to 2032 — a legacy project for the long term.”

Pratt said the council’s request for submissions provided a “terrific opportunity to imagine what the future could be for this really quite unique site”.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner welcomed the design submissions.

“We’ve had some amazing suggestions but the ones we get excited about are the ones that create new tourist attractions and things for people to do, also have a way of creating private input into the investment,” he said on Thursday.