Those who have lived and worked in Brisbane for a while know the story. Back in the mid-2000s, as drought ravaged southeast Queensland, Brisbane City Council opted to remove the square’s fountain – a city attraction whose cool waters and coloured lights had delighted generations of Brisbane children.

It was the first step in what turned out to be a complete redesign of the space to coincide with the building of a busway station beneath it.

The result was a Soviet-syle expanse of grim concrete, devoid of grass and shade, which became unbearably hot during summer months. From a place where families used to come in from the suburbs to linger and play, King George Square had become one of the most derided parts of the city – the King George hotplate.

The King George Square fountain pictured in 1975. (Image: Alan Ketley)

To be fair, trees have been planted to provide some relief from the sun and there’s no shortage of people crossing the square or attending some of the 118 events that were held there over the past year. But the place remains a bit of a wallflower among its cooler, more glam colleagues like Roma St Parklands, or the Botanic Gardens, or even Anzac and Post Office squares.

This week, on the eve of the latest big plans for South Bank being unveiled, Brisbane City Council again rejected a petition calling for the return of fountains and grassed areas to King George Square.

While it attracted just 274 signatures, the petition highlighted what many more would agree is unfinished business – what to do about a public space whose ugliness and utter lack of charm is a constant source of debate among those who take any interest in Brisbane’s urban character.

One of the most annoying aspects of the King George Square saga is the council’s refusal to entertain any suggestion it made a mistake with the redesign.

“The current design of King George Square was the winning entry from a design competition held in 2006,” a po-faced council officer response to the petition stated.

“As part of the judging process, Council invited input from residents and visitors of Brisbane in the form of feedback on the competition finalists, and entries were displayed in the foyer of City Hall. This feedback was used when choosing the winning design.”

Grass definitely won’t be making a comeback. Too much to maintain, sniffed the council’s officers.

“A grassed area, which featured previously in King George Square, would not be suitable for events such as ceremonies and festivals because this use led to the grassed area deteriorating significantly after each event,” the response to the petition said.

“This resulted in the frequent need for the area to be cordoned off for extended periods to allow for revegetation, preventing community use.”

Under the previous lord mayor, Graham Quirk, there was a proposal to reintroduce water fountains and a design competition was even begun.

But, as the council’s community, arts and nighttime economy chair Vicki Howard revealed this week, works for the council’s $1 billion Brisbane Metro transit project mean a decision on a return of water fountains won’t be made anytime soon.

“Investigations into the King George Square fountain project have been postponed until after the Brisbane Metro is completed,” Howard said in a statement

“As part of the Brisbane Metro works Council will be enhancing Adelaide Street and the surrounds of King George Square with construction providing the opportunity to deliver pedestrian and streetscape upgrade.”

At least Howard seemed to acknowledge bringing back some traces of liquid to King George Square might be a good idea.

“Residents and visitors to Brisbane love seeing water features and fountains, but it’s important any new feature is carefully considered,” she said.