More transport and road projects are set to get underway as the state government plans a “record investment” for Logan residents.
Transport minister Mark Bailey said there was a positive uptick in public transport usage.
“The Beenleigh line will go to great new locations like the Gabba Stadium and the new Albert Street Station, once the … $5.4 billion Cross River Rail is operational,” he said.
The Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail project is also set to improve network capacity between Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast, allowing train services to run more frequently and more reliably.
“The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments and will increase the number of tracks between Kuraby and Beenleigh from two to four, with modernised rail systems, station upgrades and five level crossing removals to improve accessibility and safety,” said a Translink spokesperson.
The rail line between Kuraby and Beenleigh is currently a key capacity bottleneck on the rail corridor.
Robert Dow, a Spokesperson for Public Transport Advocacy Group Rail Back On Track said the projects “are a good thing”.
“There’ll be more trains that will be able to run through the Logan area, and they’ll be able to run more reliably because there’ll be room for the express trains to overtake the all station, Beenleigh line train,” said Mr Dow.
“It will mean that they will get a better rail service, they will be marginally quicker.
“If you get on the train at Loganlea, you’ll be able to go right in the middle of Brisbane once Cross River opens.
“And also you’ve got the advantage to be able to get to Wooloongaba by train too if you’re going to football or cricket which is terrific.”
But Mr Dow said the Sailsbury to Beaudesert line, which will support increased take-up of planned expansion growth, and provide the potential opportunity for passengers from growth areas including Greater Flagstone to access the Brisbane CBD, should be prioritised.
“There is an intention to do a line from Salisbury to Beaudesert which goes through Flagstone and we think that’s a fairly high priority and they should be looking at that.
“That is definitely a project we think needs to happen and it needs to happen fast, because these areas have been super developed, and they have very poor public transport generally.
In 2019, the Council of SEQ mayors released a study warning of “total gridlock” by 2040 if dozens of major transport projects, including cross river rail were not funded — at a total cost of $63 billion.
Community consultation for the Gold Coast Faster Rail project was undertaken in September and October last year, where the state government received a diverse range of feedback.
This information is now being used to refine the reference design for the project, which will continue throughout 2022.
