Cyclists slam planning ‘failure’ behind $750 million Albion Exchange

Cyclists claim they’ve been left behind in the early planning stage for a “city changing” $750 million development in Brisbane’s inner north.

A LOBBY group claims cyclists have been forgotten by the planners behind a $750 million “city changing development” in Brisbane’s inner north.

With public submissions closing on Monday, Space for Cycling Brisbane say initial plans for the Albion Exchange was an example of the failure of “strategic planning for active transport networks in Brisbane”.

BRISBANE’S MOST DANGEROUS WALKING & CYCLING SUBURBS

Space for Cycling Brisbane’s Belinda Ward said the plans have failed to cater for cyclists’ main concerns — “safety and connectivity from east to west” over the Albion train line.

“The State Government has agreed with Brisbane City Council and basically said these are the priority routes that need to be developed for cycling and there is one on Albion Rd but this major development seems to have ignored it,” she said.

Geon Property’s 4ha 10-stage transit oriented development to be built over 15 years aims to be a community hub that provides new residential accommodation, office space, dining and shopping facilities.

It includes the $28.7 million of upgraded transport facilities and public access to the Albion Train Station and the closure of parts of Albion Rd and Albion Overpass.

An artist's impression of the proposed Albion Exchange transit oriented development.

The developers say they want to “repair and regenerate” the heart of Albion with the creation of a pedestrian plaza over the rail corridor.

Geon Property has met with cycling groups in a refreshed development application for Stage 1 of the project it has provided options to connect to the Northern bikeway on McDonald St, wider shared pathways and more cycle bays. There is also the potential for an east-west connection over the railway line in the plans.

Geon Property senior development manager Tim Rossberg said the consultation process with different organisations, the Brisbane City Council and State Government was continuing.

“Nothing is locked in and we have a number of options on the table,” he said.

“We want to cater for all different forms of access on the site including cyclists.”

Ms Ward said Albion was a dangerous area for cyclists and a priority should be an east-west connection over the train line.

“How on earth did we get to the point that there is now a massive development being built on former publicly owned land — including previous road reserve, and over the top of a rail corridor — without a (State Government) requirement to include a cycle link on a route that has been identified and agreed as a priority,” she said.

“What is the point of having cycle network plans if they are so comprehensively ignored?

“We need those connections. We can’t afford to wait another 20 years. It should be happening when this is being built.”

Urban group director, design, James Tuma, who assisted in formulating the masterplan, said it was a “city changing development” which had to balance different transport needs — such as rail, bus, pedestrians, vehicless and cyclists.

“There is room to develop ideas and improve on them but the point is there is a lot of competitive demands,” he said.

“Cycling is a very important thing to give due consideration to and infrastructure as well but we have to balance competing demands.”

“I think it is really important to keep an eye on the really big prize is how we accommodate change in the city and do it in a really great way.”