Loud Events take 25,000 people on a walk

Published On:July 6, 2010

This post is in: Event Report, Featured articles

a bird’s eye view of the Go Between Bridge Community Open Day, looking across the river from Coronation drive to West End

The bridge opening signifies a major change in convenience of a cross river link connecting some of Brisbane’s most popular educational, recreational, sporting and cultural precincts.

The public walkover was the centrepiece event of the opening of the bridge managed by local event company, LOUD events. Locals from West End, South Brisbane and Milton were encouraged to explore the new link, enjoying food and market stalls from some of Brisbane’s favourite icons.

Bridge junkies were invited to take in information about the bridge construction and its features, including dedicated pedestrian and cyclist paths. The opening included an exhibition chronicling the history of the city’s road bridges of which the Go Between is the most recent.

The Queensland Theatre Company ran multi-performances of their new children’s show and a specialized children’s zone was created that included players from the Brisbane Broncos, Brisbane Roar and Queensland Reds.

LOUD also delivered over 50 local market stalls and food vendors and staged the integration of over 30 street performers on the day.

Director, Helena Marshall said the event signified connecting new communities through the infrastructural link between West End, South Band to Milton. Public events need careful consideration in restricted space areas. Weeks of thorough planning the Queensland’s fire and rescue, ambulance and police services are integral.

“The logistical event of co-ordinating volunteers, moving 25,000 public, facilitating a market day and educational exhibition demonstrated the city’s ability to stage major events even if metres above ground and only 27 metres in width – the most unique of venues,” Ms Marshall said.

LOUD was engaged to assist stake holders showcase the project and educate residents prior to opening to traffic today. LOUD’s responsibilities included the management and design of traffic management, security, police, volunteers, rubbish management, catering and management of the opening of Brisbane’s first inner city road bridge in nearly 40 years – a 300 metre feat.

The Lord Mayor said the bridge will deliver invaluable benefits for Brisbane motorists.

“Go Between Bridge will relieve traffic congestion around the CBD and provide better access to some of Brisbane’s most popular education, recreation and cultural precincts.”

“The bridge will also provide a crucial link between the cultural hub of South Brisbane and West End and the sporting precinct around Suncorp Stadium.

“Go Between Bridge is an excellent alternative to William Jolly Bridge for traffic heading out of South Brisbane and West End, particularly during afternoon peak and major events, connecting you directly to the Inner City Bypass or Coronation Drive and getting you on your way home quicker,” he said.

A $42 million saving in construction costs on Go Between Bridge has been passed on to motorists with Council being able to reduce the expected toll price for the life of the project.

From 1 July 2011, the toll of $2.35 will come into effect, but until then motorists will pay only $1.50 until 31 December 2010 and then $2.00 from 1 January to 30 June 2011.

LOUD events is owned and operated by two young women, Helena Marshall (34) and Marianne Edmonds (33). These ladies were fortunate enough to work very closely with each of the stake holders and LOUD’s amazing in house team of carpenters, steel workers, large format printers and “public event” account managers to deliver the fine details of the event.

“We are extremely proud of our team and all of the hard work they put into this project and are privileged to have had the opportunity to work with the council on this project,” Ms Marshall said.