Brisbane metro could be taken over by state authority

BRISBANE City Council’s Metro rapid-transit system could be taken over by the state authority set up to deliver Cross River Rail.

BRISBANE City Council’s Metro rapid-transit system could be taken over by the state authority set up to deliver Cross River Rail.

A state parliamentary committee report into the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority Bill 2016, released on Thursday, stated it was possible the $1.5 billion Metro project could be declared as a “transport-related project” and fall under the control of the Authority once it was established.

But Acting Infrastructure Minister Mark Bailey said the Authority was unlikely to ever take over the council project.

“Brisbane Metro is a council-led project, it is their responsibility and we have no intention to take control of it,” he said.

“The Brisbane Metro business case has only just commenced development and if the project stacks up, it is fundamental the two projects are complementary to one another.”

However, the committee report stated the Authority could recommend taking control of the Metro to the Minister after the business case was completed.

Brisbane Metro , Victoria Bridge

Deputy Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Metro would relieve bus congestion and was a project supported by voters at this year’s council election.

“Lord Mayor Graham Quirk has committed to deliver this project and people want us to keep building the necessary infrastructure to keep this city moving,” he said.

The Metro project includes converting sections of the South East and Northern Busways to provide high-frequency services ­between Herston and Woolloongabba, using rubber-tyred train carriages.

The Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources Committee on Thursday, released a report into the Bill but could not determine whether it should be passed.

The two LNP committee members – Cleveland MP Mark Robinson and Warrego MP Ann Leahy – said the Bill should not pass because it was an “interventionist approach to planning”. Katter’s Australian Party committee member Dalrymple MP told The Courier-Mail he had concerns about the $50 million cost of setting up the Authority.

Committee chair and Mirani MP Jim Pearce along with the two fellow government members – Keppel MP Brittany Lauga and Baron River MP Craig Crawford – supported the Bill being passed.