SCENIC Rim mayor Greg Christensen says a better Mount Lindesay Highway, a passenger rail service and improved public transport solutions will be vital for the region as the population increases.
This comes after the SEQ People Mass Movement Study, a regional blueprint for transport in south-east Queensland, was released by the Council of Mayors (SEQ) on Thursday.
Council of Mayors chair Graham Quirk said the clear message from the study was that our business as usual approach will not keep pace with the anticipated population growth in SEQ.
“Our research shows that even if every committed and planned project in this region is delivered, the majority of SEQ’s major road corridors will be over capacity by 2031. By 2041, the region will be in gridlock,” said Cr Quirk.
“The SEQ People Mass Movement Study highlights our region’s dependence on private vehicle use, now and in the future. Without access to efficient and reliable public transport options, many commuters have no choice but to use the car as their primary mode of transport.
“A significant shift in thinking is required in SEQ from all levels government to ensure we don’t end up with traffic like Sydney and Melbourne. Fortunately, our region still has time to address these issues, but we need to act now.”
The report listed the Mount Lindesay Highway and the Park Ridge connector among 47 priority projects in south-east Queensland.
Logan councillor Laurie Smith said infrastructure investment for the West Logan area was crucial.
“From our perspective... the Mount Lindesay Highway needs to be four lanes to Beaudesert,” he said.
“The area has been opened up for residential development as per the state government’s priority development areas.
“They need to contribute and fix what has been identified as major deficiencies, including the need for Salisbury to Beaudesert passenger rail.”
Cr Christensen said it was important to note that this was a people mass movement study and not a total transport corridor study.
“That means this is focused around the impacts of population growth in key corridors in south east Queensland and does not capture a number of areas within the Scenic Rim that are much more driven by freight demand than the movement of people,” he said.
“This study is exciting and significant because it represents leadership on behalf of the 10 councils involved to look forward to the 20-year horizon and recognise the need to plan well in advance and invest now, so that we do not face the chaos in south east Queensland that Melbourne and Sydney are currently trying to address.”
Cr Christensen said the study recognised that people in a thriving economy wanted to choose where they lived and move efficiently to where they needed to for work, which does not respect local government boundaries.
“For the Scenic Rim it's significant for us to be involved because this study, based on data, has recognised the importance of addressing the under-performing Mount Lindesay Highway corridor and properly recognising the need of the western Logan and Scenic Rim communities for a proper public transport solution,” he said.
“And, as the map shows, having a rail corridor connection to Beaudesert for passenger rail is something that is recognised by the industry experts, and supported by all of the councils, as an important part of south east Queensland infrastructure.”
