New Brisbane sign to light up the South Bank night sky

Visitors to South Bank will have a new reason to pull out their cameras from today, with the much-anticipated permanent Brisbane sign being unveiled to the public for the first time.

The landmark sign has been installed as a permanent legacy of the G20 Leaders Summit and follows the unprecedented popularity of a temporary sign which was on display in the Cultural Forecourt during G20 last year.

The Deputy Premier Jackie Trad said the $300,000 project was jointly funded by the State Government and the Brisbane City Council and the sign would become its own destination for tourists and locals in the city.

“Up to 11 million people visit South Bank Parklands each year and this colourful creation will be seen right around the world as it becomes the backdrop for thousands upon thousands of photographs,” Ms Trad said.

“It’s also a vibrant and fun way to recognise and celebrate the city's many diverse community groups, who volunteered their time to decorate a letter. The Brisbane sign is a symbol of how community spirit can add new life to our city.

“The sign adds an extra element of excitement to the South Bank Parklands, and follows last month’s reopening of the popular Riverside Green Playground and Boat Pool.”

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said he expected the breath-taking illuminated sign to quickly become an international symbol of Brisbane.

“Just as the temporary Brisbane sign was a colourful welcome-mat to the South Bank Parklands during the G20 celebrations, this new permanent addition will be a popular destination at South Bank and adds to our already stunning city landscape,” Cr Quirk said.

“The sign will light up the night sky at South Bank with 11 LED strips around the base of the letters able to illuminate the sign in a variety of colours, making the sign instantly recognisable day and night.

“This icon celebrates the creative talent and vibrancy of our city, with each of the letters originally built by Queensland Men’s Sheds.

“The skins of each of these letters have been graphically recreated from images of the original letter designs, which were lovingly decorated by members of community groups.”

The permanent sign has new lighting and a soft floor around the base to make it easier and safer to take pictures.

Letters made by community groups for the original Brisbane sign

(B) - Built by: Ridley Road Queensland Men’s Shed; Decorated by: Queensland Pride Festival

(R) - Built by: Pine Rivers Queensland Men’s Shed; Decorated by: Brisbane Youth Service

(I) - Built by: Labrador Queensland Men’s Shed; Decorated by: Amnesty International(QLD chapter)

(S) - Built by: Shed West; Decorated by: Griffith Uni Contemporary Australian Indigenous Art Group

(B) - Built by: Buderim Queensland Men’s Shed; Decorated by: Multicap Association

(A) - Built by: Carina Queensland Men’s Shed; Decorated by: Multicultural Development Association of Queensland

(N) - Built by: Alexandra Hills Queensland Men’s Shed; Decorated by: Queensland Children’s week

(E) - Built by: Mt Gravatt Queensland Men’s Shed; Decorated by: Queensland Country Women’s Association

Media contacts:        Deputy Premier’s Office:        0488 996 667