The council has released its draft blueprint for the renewal of the 18 hectare riverside parkland, but Parks and Environment chairman Matthew Bourke said the much-loved heritage-listed space was not in for a major overhaul.

"The City Botanic Gardens form part of a green triangle, along with South Bank and Roma Street Parklands, and each offers a very different experience," Cr Bourke said.

"It's a much quieter, more tranquil place but it also has a very rich history and that's the experience with some of the changes proposed."

The draft City Botanic Gardens Master Plan was formed after months of consultation with a community reference group including representatives from the neighbouring Queensland University of Technology, businesses operating within the precinct, horticultural experts, members of the public and representative of park guides, who lead tours through the gardens.

Among the key aims of the draft plan are:

• revitalise the gardens and improve river access
• protect and showcase the gardens' heritage
• improve connectivity and wayfinding to and within the gardens
• facilitate partnerships to activate the space
• improve facilities and accessibility within the gardens

The council is now inviting public submissions until September 26, which it will then consider before releasing the final plan.

Pedestrian and cyclist traffic is expected to boom in the next five years, following the construction of a green bridge linking Kangaroo Point with the gardens.

Council budget documents have funds allocated to planning the structure in the 2016/17 financial year.

Cr Bourke said updating signage and lighting to facilitate better movement through the area was one of the main priorities of the draft plan, as was telling the history of the gardens.

"The gardens have been used in one form or another since early settlement in the 1800s and there are ideas to install enhancements to help tell the past uses of the garden," he said.

"There are a lot of things we can do to enhance the experience."

Including, he said, further activation of the Albert Street entrance.

"Albert Street can become a vibrant event space for festivals and pop-up traders," Cr Bourke said.

"There's lots of little things in there to make the experience much better."

To have a say on the future of the City Botanic Gardens or to view the draft plan, go to http://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/planning-building/planning-guidelines-tools/city-centre-master-plan/city-making-moves/city-botanic-gardens-master-plan before September 26.