Logan City councillors are furious that the Salisbury to Beaudesert railway line might not be built for almost a quarter century.
It was hoped the line could be built before the original proposal of a 2031 finish date to help ease conditions on the badly congested Mount Lindesay Highway.
But a presentation to council by Transport Department officers shocked councillors when they realised it might not be delivered until 2041.
Cr Phil Pidgeon said it was distressing to hear that the timeline had been pushed back to 2041 from 2031.
“We need rail now, we don’t need it in 25 years time,” he said.
“The Mount Lindesay Highway is already struggling and people are finding alternative routes onto council roads.
“If we can spend $100 million on our roads why can’t we get some proper funding for transport?”
Cr Pidgeon said the passenger rail solution would help ease congestion on the Mount Lindesay Highway and thought it was time plans were released.
Mayor Luke Smith said firm plans had to be put in place so a business case could be costed.
“This is not only for Salisbury to Beaudesert, this is for all our transport, including the Mount Lindesay Highway, the M1 and Waterford-Tamborine Road,” he said.
Cr Trevina Schwarz said the electorate not only had the influx of population from the state government’s priority development area of Flagstone but from Yarrabilba and there was no infrastructure to support either.
“There is a complete absence of transport options and we are highlighted for mass development,” she said.
“It is just disgraceful.”
The Greater Flagstone region is expected to have 120,000 people and 50,000 new homes over the next 30 years.
Cr Pidgeon said the current rail corridor was only one line wide and councillors had been under the impression it would only be widened to two lines.
“Now we are being told there will be an extra two for freight as well,” he said.
“If more houses are approved around the corridor these people could have to sell up land so the lines can fit.”
Cr Jon Raven said he had asked the delegation whether the Salisbury line would eventuate without Brisbane’s controversial $5.409 billion Cross River Rail project being built.
“They replied that without that we don’t have a chance of rail in this corridor,” he said.
A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said their representatives provided an update on the progress of the Salisbury to Beaudesert corridor at the request of Logan City Council.
“Previous updates were provided to Logan City Council in October 2015 and September 2016,” the spokesperson said.
“The Cross River Rail Project is the Queensland Government’s number one infrastructure project.
“It will improve rail capacity and operations through Brisbane’s CBD and enable the expansion of rail services across the rail network, including the Salisbury to Beaudesert rail line.”
