Queen’s Wharf casino project: Ratepayers face huge traffic bill

BRISBANE ratepayers are facing a $10 million traffic management bill for the Queen’s Wharf development after council claim the State Government are refusing to contribute towards costs.

BRISBANE Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has confirmed there was no formal funding deal with the State Government for intersection upgrades for the Queens Wharf development.

Cr Quirk said council were working in “good faith” with the State Government on the development prior to funding discussions because he didn’t want to delay the project.

“I shouldn’t need an agreement around this,” Cr Quirk said, explaining it was “unreasonable” for Brisbane ratepayers to foot the bill for a State Government-driven project.

Night-time construction already commenced last month on upgrading several CBD intersections.

It follows news that Brisbane ratepayers are facing a $10 million traffic management bill for the development after council claimed the State Government is refusing to contribute towards costs.

Council had previously proposed shutting down Victoria Bridge as part of a traffic management plan but council claim the plan was kiboshed by the State Government.

Instead, construction within the priority development area will see Queens Wharf Rd, which is destined to become open space area, permanently closed down. Meanwhile, William St, which is due to be developed over, is expected to be closed during the six-year construction period.

The CBD is expected to lose about 46 parking spaces across five locations.

William St and Queens Wharf Rd will be closed to make way for Brisbane's new casino development. Picture: GOOGLE MAPS

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said council were “fully supportive” of the $3 billion development but has called on the Labor Government to chip in to help manage traffic during construction.

CBD intersection upgrade works for the construction of Queen's Wharf development. IMAGE: Brisbane City Council

“In August last year I offered the Premier council’s assistance to work together to manage the potential impact on the day to day operations of the CBD during construction and in the longer term,” Cr Quirk said.

“The closure of these city streets has the potential to cause traffic chaos throughout the CBD but council prepared a detailed transport plan to reduce that congestion which included closing Victoria Bridge to general traffic.

“The closure of William St will also require the diversion of an additional 80 bus vehicles per hour in peak periods over Victoria Bridge which is already experiencing significant capacity challenges with 230 buses per hour in peak times.”

Changes to car traffic routes in the CBD for the Queen's Wharf development. IMAGE: Brisbane City Council.

Council allocated $19 million dollars in the last budget for road management to accommodate the Queens Wharf construction, with funding to be met by the State Government. That figure was revised down to $10 million following the scrapping of the Victoria Bridge proposal.

Part of the new works included 11 CBD intersection upgrades to re-route about 50 CBD bus routes. The State Government are planing to upgrade two of those intersections.

“These essential works are required to be completed by the end of this year and council is doing everything it can to ensure all works are completed on time,” Cr Quirk said.

“As these works are in support of a State Government project, I am disappointed that no State funding has been forthcoming.

“I formally asked the Premier on two occasions to confirm the State would reimburse council for the $10 million costs for this schedule of works.

“The Premier did not confirm this request but said ‘both rate and tax payers can capitalise on the multibillion-dollar benefits of this significant project’.

“As a result, council faces a $10 million Budget black hole and I have asked council officers to find projects that will now need to be delayed.”