Car lobby warns Brisbane faces LA-style congestion without intervention

South-east Queensland faces traffic congestion more akin to Los Angeles unless authorities make dramatic planning changes, the RACQ has warned.

In its submission to the draft South-East Queensland Regional Plan, the motorists’ organisation has called for better connections between new housing developments and transport infrastructure.

The RACQ wants urgent intervention to avoid gridlock in south-east Queensland.Credit: Dan Peled

“If we don’t manage increased growth and density, we will end up like Los Angeles with congestion everywhere,” said the RACQ’s head of public policy, Dr Michael Kane.

“If we have any hope of being successful, while preserving our famous lifestyle, we must make transport a top priority in the regional plan and ensure strong connectivity between housing, jobs, education and recreation for everyone who calls SEQ home.”

Kane said the government’s plans for the growing region “lack transport ambition”.

Under the latest population projections, south-east Queensland will need to provide 900,000 new homes, units and townhouses to accommodate an extra 2.2 million people by 2046.

Planning Minister Steven Miles on Wednesday introduced new legislation aimed at removing some of the impediments to large-scale development changes.

“To address housing supply constraints, the new laws will give the state powers to manage fragmented land holdings, approve affordable developments and take control of easements for water, power and sewerage,” Miles said.

The proposed powers come after the government and Brisbane City Council identified areas in need of higher-density development, and Brisbane Times highlighted the delay in putting vacant house sites on the market.

Kane said the region was at “the crossroads” and needed infrastructure – for cyclists and public transport users as well as motorists – in areas where more homes were planned.

“We believe this is a critical time in the region’s history as we prepare to take the world stage in 2032 and house 6 million people in the next two decades,” Kane said.

What the RACQ believes is needed to support population growth in south-east Queensland

• Improve Brisbane’s Wynnum Road corridor and Old Cleveland Road corridor;
• Extend the Brisbane Metro bus routes;
• Introduce smaller, more frequent Metro Glider bus services within 10 years;
• Improve bus and train links with the South East Freeway and Pacific Highway;
• Upgrade connections around rapidly-growing Chermside centre;
• More dedicated bikeways to take cyclists and e-scooter riders off busy roads.

Source: RACQ submission to draft 2023 South-East Queensland Regional Plan.

He said more attention must be paid to e-scooters and e-bikes as their popularity soared, used by 8 million residents and tourists since the hire scheme as introduced in 2018.

“This popularity must be matched by new, improved and connected pathways if e-mobility is to be fully harnessed as one of the keys to congestion-busting and managed growth.”

The RACQ supports the Queensland government’s planning for “gentle density increases” in low-density areas, but says it must be accompanied by plans to improve transport.

“‘Gentle density’ needs to be supported by a ‘gentle transport’ solution, mainly improved bus-based
services,” he said.

Last month, the Queensland government estimated 1.3 million commuting minutes would be saved if affordable housing residents were closer to dedicated transport services.

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