"There is a debate now about what should happen to some of the open spaces in the Queen Street Mall and the council is leaning towards just putting in another pub or restaurant. "So we are calling for a big new playground in the middle of the Queen Street Mall, which is about changing the culture of how the mall works and how it is used. A straw poll of parents found overwhelming support for an inner-city playground in the busy Queen Street Mall. Credit:Michelle Smith "It would not necessarily simply be a place to go shopping, but also a place for people to meet and to play." Mantle Group also owns Milano and Jimmy's on the Mall, both operating from the middle of the mall.

Parents approached by Brisbane Times on Wednesday supported the concept of a children's playground in the mall. Luke Thomas, who was visiting the mall with his two children for the Ekka public holiday, said a playground was "a really good idea". Luke Thomas supports the idea of a playground in the Queen Street Mall, and his son Harry didn't disagree. Credit:Tony Moore "It breaks the shopping up for the kids and gives them something to have fun on," Mr Thomas said. "They would use it all the time. Now they have to go down to the Botanic Gardens so it would be really good if there was one here."

The council is reviewing a number of empty spaces in the Queen Street Mall and last year removed the long-standing Rankins newsagency. CBD resident Kyrie McMaster said while she took her older son to play in the City Botanic Gardens, a change was needed in the mall and a playground was a good idea. Kyrie McMaster and daughter Meela would enjoy a playground in Queen Street Mall. Credit:Tony Moore "My idea would be to make it clear in many places so you could see your child at all times, so parents could sit and stand and watch," she said. Cr Sri said the project could be funded from the city's annual playgrounds budget and suggested the large open space outside the Wintergarden complex as a location.

Loading He said the 2016 census showed 1000 people younger than 18 living in the Brisbane CBD. "That number is likely to continue rising,” he said. “There are already enough empty shopfronts in the city that can accommodate new bars and restaurants. There’s no need to clutter the public open space with more private businesses. "The idea is to develop a broader context of what is the Queen Street Mall and what is it for."

Cr Sri said South Bank Parklands and the City Botanic Gardens had good examples of modern playgrounds. "They have big slides, climbing equipment, the whole kit and caboodle," he said. South Bank's play equipment is a good model to introduce to the Queen Street Mall, Jonathan Sri says. Credit:Tony Moore "It is something that kids really look forward to going to. I think there are enough people around so one in the Queen Street Mall would get used as well." Cr Sri said parents frequently told him they came into the city for meetings or events and there was nothing for their young children to do, other than go to movies or fast-food outlets.