Botanic by Night:NightGlow at Mt Coot-tha Botanic Gardens
A 16-night ticketed lantern trail, Botanic by Night: NightGlow, ran at Brisbane Botanic Gardens Mt Coot-tha from 25 September to 10 October 2026 — an 837-metre illuminated route through a scientific botanical collection and wildlife corridor, featuring 11 large lit animal sculptures, delivered by City Parklands within Brisbane City Council’s Mt Coot-tha precinct transformation.
The Mt Coot-tha Protection Alliance opposed the earlier light show proposal for this site, and we oppose NightGlow on the same grounds. This is not a one-off event; it is the latest step in the commercialisation of the Gardens after dark.
The main issues are:
- Wildlife. Artificial light at night disrupts feeding, movement, breeding and rest for nocturnal species. The Gardens sit within a corridor linking the river and creek systems to the Mt Coot-tha bushland, an area important to micro-bats and other nocturnal animals.
- Traffic, parking and noise. The event anticipated around 2,000 patrons a night across six sessions, yet provided under 280 carparks, the main Gardens carpark (184 bays) and Ada Street (94 bays, usually locked at 7pm). On weekends, Fridays and the public holiday two carparks were full by 7pm. Local street parking became an issue on the first night, and a handful of traffic controllers with minimal signage proved inadequate. Subsequently, more signage and traffic controllers were employed.
- Consultation. No consultation for these temporary artificial light and sound shows. The event organiser contacted community organisations the same day the tickets went on sale to the public. Council approved a Prescribed Event Permit for these novelty shows.
- Commercialisation of public space. A botanic garden of national scientific significance, and its resident wildlife, is being used as a paid nightly entertainment venue with ticket tiers, food trucks while Council’s own requirement to preserve areas of high botanical and zoological significance was set aside on a technicality.
- A permanent show by another name. The event is presented as a limited season, but Council’s precinct plan openly canvasses ongoing night activation in the Gardens. A short season is how a permanent installation gets established.
Background: The Botanic Gardens adjoin Mt Coot-tha Forest and form part of a connected ecological landscape. Any proposal must demonstrate, through independent and site-specific evidence, that it will not cause unacceptable disturbance to wildlife, nearby residents or the peaceful nighttime character of the mountain. Artificial light, low-frequency sound, crowds, vehicle movements, parking pressure and repeated nightly operation can create a cumulative disturbance greater than any one component viewed in isolation.
What we are asking for: the ecological advice in full; nightly patron and vehicle numbers; measured light spill and confirmation the unlit bushland corridor remains dark; the procurement method, contract term and revenue to Council; and a commitment that this event does not set a precedent for year-round night activation in the Gardens.
MCPA encourages residents to remind Council of their wish to protect and preserve Mount Coot-tha and its surrounds at every opportunity. This is not an argument against arts, tourism or night-time events. It is an argument for putting them in the right place.
Botanic By Night Fact Sheet 2026
FAQs
Actions
Please contact Council services; the Lord Mayor and your local Councillor so that they are aware of the community sentiments.
The Lord Mayor Cr Adrian Schrinner — lord.mayor@brisbane.qld.gov.au
Local Councillor Councillors and wards | Brisbane City Council
Phone: 07 3403 8888 — 24 hours a day, 7 days.
Ask for a case reference number so you can follow up.
Email feedback: Email Council | Brisbane City Council
Keep it factual: date, time, location, what you observed.
Please forward your response to MCPA admn.mcpa@gmail.com
