The establishment of the National Faster Rail Agency, a funding commitment to explore Brisbane to Gold Coast fast rail, and agreement to deliver an SEQ City Deal represent some of the big wins since the release of the SEQ People Mass Movement Study (SEQ PMMS) just one year ago.
On 24 January 2019, the Council of Mayors (SEQ) released the SEQ People Mass Movement Study. It was a first for the region, bringing the existing transport planning in South East Queensland into one roadmap and outlining the investment needed to keep pace with the region’s anticipated population growth.
Of the 47 prioritised projects, an SEQ fast rail network was the cornerstone of the roadmap and demonstrated a compelling case to get commuters out of their cars, and onto fast, regional public transport.
Council of Mayors (SEQ) Chair and Brisbane Lord Mayor, Cr Adrian Schrinner, said the SEQ People Mass Movement Study showed just how dependent South East Queenslanders are on their cars and the need for an expanded, efficient public transport network, particularly as our population grows.
“For the first time in this region, we had a plan for how the region’s transport network could adequately deal with the future growth of South East Queensland. It covered all modes of transport and really challenged our future transport planning.
“Just one year on, we’ve seen some big changes in the conversation around the planning and delivery of transport in South East Queensland.
“The biggest step forward is the commitment from all levels of government to work together, through an SEQ City Deal, to identify and deliver our long-term infrastructure priorities; without the politics.
“We would like to see this bipartisan approach finally eliminate the unnecessary back-and-forth about funding splits and responsibilities and bring the focus back on getting projects underway.
“Seeing the national conversation around fast rail move forward was a huge win for South East Queensland. This was backed by Commonwealth funding to explore fast rail between Brisbane and the Gold Coast, building on the work already underway on the North Coast Connect business case.
“This is in addition to the $15 million already committed by the Commonwealth to investigate rail from Brisbane to Toowoomba.
“We also saw commitments to progress light rail on both the Sunshine and Gold coasts, and significant investments in improving the safety and efficiency of some of our major road corridors including the M1, Bruce and Mount Lindesay highways.
“The SEQ Mayors look forward to seeing what the next 12 months will bring. We anticipate an SEQ City Deal with a strong focus on public transport which can pave the way for a successful SEQ 2032 Games proposal,” said Cr Schrinner.
A number of significant transport projects prioritised in the SEQ PMMS were given the green light in the past 12 months, including:
- Establishment of the National Faster Rail Agency
- $8 million commitment for a fast rail business case between Brisbane and the Gold Coast
- Announcement of five Green Bridges across Brisbane, commencing with the Kangaroo Point to CBD bridge
- Progression of both the Brisbane Metro and Cross River Rail projects
- Commencement of detailed business case for Sunshine Coast Light Rail
- Commencement of business case for the North West Transport Corridor
- Commencement of Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A
- Commencement of the Inter-Regional Transport Corridor (Coomera Connector)
- Funding commitments for removal of open level crossings at Coopers Plains, Lindum and Beams Road, Carseldine
Funding commitments to improve the M1, Bruce and Mount Lindesay highways.
The SEQ PMMS was an initiative of the Council of Mayors (SEQ), through funding contributed by its member councils and the Commonwealth Government.