A $400 million hit to Australia's biggest council's budget will see proposed "green bridges" scrapped in a bid to improve the bottom line, along with cuts to advertising, consultants and travel costs.
Just months after July's $4.3 billion budget, Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner confirmed the council would cut spending by 10 per cent until June 30.
Mr Schrinner cited global inflation and an ongoing cost-of-living crisis for the sudden cuts that will affect projects and services run by Australia's largest council by population.
Affected projects include the green bridge program which provides pedestrian and cycle links with public transport.
The Toowong to West End stage is now on hold.
Cuts will also hit the Brisbane Metro transit service is expected to be operational in 2024, with a public art requirement removed.
Shading set for the Victoria Bridge as part of the Brisbane Metro project has been paused.
Advertising, consultants, travel and councillor ward budgets will also be affected at Brisbane City Council, which services a 1.25 million population.
There will be no redundancies and waste collection services won't be affected.
"Just like many households, we're making the responsible decision to reduce council spending by 10 per cent to avoid driving up costs for residents," Mr Schrinner said.
"We're being upfront about this tough decision but make no apology for prioritising keeping costs down for households."
Greens MP Michael Berkman accused the council of making the reduced spending call to pay for developer tax cuts.
"Before the last election the LNP agreed to the Greens proposal for a green bridge from Toowong to West End but it seems that was just a greenwashing exercise to keep their seats," Mr Berkman said.
"Only a couple of months ago council promised locals they'd deliver this crucial public infrastructure but it seems their handouts to developers have created a budget hole and residents are paying the price."
